- How would you best describe your legal practice and typical clients?
I have spent many years in the banking and regulatory space. But I’d say I’m industry agnostic. My legal practice has evolved into a hybrid of litigation, corporate law and everything in between. When I started out, I wanted to be a trial lawyer, the next Johnny Cochran. I have litigation clients who will call me for any problem they have. I have become their go-to lawyer, or even their outside general counsel. My clients know I’m not necessarily their real estate or IP lawyer, or whatever, but I’m a trusted advisor, who they know will find the right team to help with any problem.
- Take us on your legal journey to Practus. How’d you get here?
I got my undergraduate degree at Drake University in accounting and business administration. Funny story… I was president of my fraternity and realized there was no valet parking. So, I decided to start a valet parking business. My first contract was the governor. I went to the Governor’s mansion, knocked on the door and talked to Governor Branstad who was a Drake alum. He said, “give me the contract, kid.” Then he offered me an accounting internship at the Capitol, which was great! But I’m from Chicago and missed my friends and family. So, I returned home for law school at DePaul.
My first job was with a boutique litigation firm in Chicago. But I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so in 2006 I started my own firm, grew it to 25 attorneys, and merged it with Roetzel and Andress. From there I went to Duane Morris and then Hinshaw and Culbertson.
Growing up old school, suit and tie, catch the train downtown, I didn’t really understand the virtual model. During COVID we didn’t need to do all that. It changed everything. I became aware of Practus, the quality of the partners, and the efficiency of it, as well as the financial model. I felt such a connection to the leadership and other attorneys. It became a no-brainer, so I made the transition.
3. Sometimes our best quality – is also the one that can get us in trouble . Tell us about your best quality and how it has worked mostly for you, but there was that one time ….
My greatest quality is being able to connect with people and empathize with their situations. But that can be a problem when you end up involved in matters you should probably have taken a pass on. I like to help people, but it’s also why I end up co-counseling on family law matters, and family law is not my niche.
4. When you’re not working at Practus, what keeps you busy? Family? Any cool hobbies or hidden talents we don’t know about? Lay it on us.
My hobby is work. My other hobby is work. And then work. I love what I do. Me being a lawyer is not a career or job. It’s just who I am. I told my parents at four years old I was going to be a lawyer.
5. What would your colleagues be totally shocked or even mildly surprised to find out about? Do you kill it at karaoke? Write political thrillers? Train horses? Watch Star Trek (original) reruns?
They would be shocked to know how attractive I am. Just kidding – I’m a secret architect and interior designer rolled in one and I’ll give you a discount if you want to hire me. Seriously, I have a good eye.
6. Picture yourself walking down the street. The world is your oyster, your theme song is …? The Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive—and I am strutting like a peacock on Sundays – “Well you can tell by the way I use my walk …”
7. If you had a bumper sticker that defines your basic philosophy for how you live your life, what would it say?
Well, I got a couple. One of them I can’t say here. So, my bumper sticker would be, “I got a guy.” Because I do. You need reservations, your car fixed, real estate agent – I got a guy.
8. What fictional lawyer do you most identify with?
Harvey Specter on Suits. He wears Tom Ford Suits. I wear Tom Ford suits. We’re fancy pants and we have similar personalities.
