The framed print prominently displayed on the wall in attorney Roger Brothers’ office was a birthday gift from his wife Angela. Aptly titled “The Closing,” the painting by Texas artist Jimmy Dyer depicts 19 lawyers, bankers, and businesspeople in white shirts and ties hunkered around a conference table as they labor to negotiate the closing of a large business deal or merger.

On another wall hangs a framed print called “Counsel Approaches the Bench,” which shows a courtroom with two shark fins swimming across the carpet toward the judge. Brothers’ wife bought him that one, too, but “The Closing” is without doubt his favorite.

“That’s what it used to be like when I first started doing M & A work,” says Brothers with an enthusiastic grin. “That’s what the closing looked like.”

When he says, “Now it’s all virtual,” there’s a note of nostalgia in his voice.

The painting is representative of his practice, he explains, and of what he enjoys so much about the work: the rush and thrill that comes with solving clients’ problems and helping them navigate around business obstacles.

Brothers Smith LLP is based in Walnut Creek, Calif., which is in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. The firm advises individuals and businesses with corporate and real estate transactions; wealth, estate and tax planning; and employment related matters. Brothers and J. Wesley Smith became the sole principals of the firm in 2017.