How a Law Firm Uses HeyTaco in Microsoft Teams to Strengthen Trust

Derrevere, Stevens, Black & Cozad is a multi-state fully-remote litigation law firm that takes pride in being relentlessly competent in court—and relentlessly kind to one another behind the scenes. For partners Michael Stevens and Mary Grecz, building a high-performing team has always been about more than just legal wins. It's about creating a culture where people feel respected, trusted, and supported every day.

"We have a no-asshole policy here," Michael explains. "We want everyone rowing in the same direction, not blaming each other when we hit a wall. If something goes wrong, we fix it together."

That philosophy carries through every part of their firm, including how they recognize one another. Since going remote during the pandemic, they’ve relied on HeyTaco to keep their culture of gratitude thriving.

Gratitude That Scales with Growth

As the firm has grown and transitioned to a virtual-first environment, HeyTaco has helped Mary and Michael maintain the emotional closeness that once came naturally in an office.

"We use Teams channels and group chats to stay connected, but HeyTaco adds another layer," Mary shares. "It gives people a way to publicly appreciate each other in the flow of work. And it really shows who cares about being part of this team long-term."

Michael adds, “Before we lived on Microsoft Teams, you’d have to physically be in the right place at the right time to witness random acts of gratitude. With our gratitude channel on Teams, you can pipe in good vibes to your day anytime. The channel has the opposite effect of ‘doom scrolling.’”

Mary gives out tacos daily and often wishes she had more to give: "The hard part isn't finding five people to recognize. It's narrowing it down to five."

Reinforcing Culture in the Little Moments

In a virtual setting, it's easy for extra effort or personal milestones to go unnoticed. But HeyTaco makes it easier to surface those moments and celebrate them as a team.

Michael points out that showing care means showing up—whether it’s for a three-year-old’s birthday or a teammate’s hard day. "I couldn’t do what I do at work without my wife carrying the load at home, so all my tacos today go to her," he says.

That blend of personal and professional appreciation is what makes HeyTaco feel like more than a tool. It's a cultural amplifier. “It adds a level of intimacy and connection that’s difficult to achieve with just messaging and video calls,” Michael explains. “Seeing people express feelings of gratitude with tacos throughout the day has caused us all to grow closer and be better co-workers.”

Trust, Recognition, and the Willingness to Share

Michael and Mary both believe that sharing who you are—beyond your title—is part of what makes their team amazing. As Michael puts it, "Sharing parts of yourself that make you you changes the way others will view and work with you."

HeyTaco helps create a safe space for that sharing. Whether it’s celebrating a legal win, thanking a teammate for weekend support, or acknowledging someone’s growth, tacos become a daily way to say: I see you. I value you.

HeyTaco has also become a tool for leadership. “It gives managers another way to convey praise and observe interactions between teammates,” Michael shares. “I’ve seen people who normally have trouble expressing themselves use HeyTaco to find a new gear of emotional communication.”

"Nobody tells me I need to work hard… I just want to."

That’s the kind of thing you hear often at Derrevere, Stevens, Black & Cozad. Not because of pressure or perfectionism, but because people love where they work. They trust their leaders. They feel seen.

And thanks to HeyTaco, they have a simple way to keep reinforcing that feeling—every single day.

🎧 Want to hear more? Listen to Michael and Mary share their story on the Amazing Teams podcast:
Listen to the episode here.