Take the Next Step

Be Upfront About Your Enthusiasm

When searching for a new job, there are two schools of thought.

Be coy about your preferences to avoid conceding anything in the negotiation process.

Or, when you find something you’re excited about, be upfront about your enthusiasm.

Two years into my first job as an associate at Milbank, I decided to return to Chicago for family reasons. I researched law firms in the city and set up interviews with seven firms over two separate trips.

On the last day of my first trip, I interviewed with Sidley Austin LLP. I loved everything about it – it felt like home.

At the end of that day, I met with Tom Cole, who was a member of the firm’s top management committee. He asked me how things had gone and I told him candidly that Sidley was my top choice, that I had other interviews scheduled, but that if he made me an offer I would accept it and cancel the others. He told me he’d like to make that happen and 48 hours later I had an invitation to join the firm, which I accepted.

Sidley compensation for associates was lockstep, but even if it hadn’t been I would have done the same thing. Over the years I’ve hired a lot of people and I’ve always been willing to do more for people who were enthusiastic about working with our team.

Sidley turned out to be a great choice. I got to work with and learn from an incredible group with extremely talented lawyers. I joined the corporate group and every one of the other four people in my class went on to do very big things with their careers. Kim Rucker became the general counsel of Avon Products, Kraft Foods and Andeavor, and now sits on several Fortune 500 company boards. Tim Kenesey became CEO of MedPro Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company that is the world’s leading provider of healthcare liability coverage & risk solutions. Jon A. Ballis left Sidley to go to Kirkland & Ellis, became one of the leading private equity lawyers in the US, and now is the chairman of their executive committee. Tom Thesing stayed with Sidley, moved to London and become renowned for cross-border M&A. He now sits on Sidley’s top management committee like Tom Cole had been when I joined.

The relationships I built at Sidley continue to shape my career today. For example, John O’Hare’s mentorship from my time at the firm shaped me into the lawyer I am today. And I still call on Sharon Flanagan, another member Sidley’s top management committee, when I’m working with large companies on bet-the-company transactions.

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What Our Members Say

“One of the things I love about working with Joe is the joy and camaraderie he invariably brings to every discussion, including times when we have to discuss emotionally challenging subject matter. It’s hard to remember a call without laughter, and some lighthearted talk, to accompany the intellectual challenges we tackle together. Joe has a unique ability to tackle challenging topics while remaining positive and uplifting – skills which serve him incredibly well as a coach.”
Dave K.Law Firm Partner
“Joe has played many roles in my career: mentor, boss, colleague, outside counsel, client, and friend. He is the person I go to for advice of all kinds, who gives of himself and who has opened doors I never thought possible. He is a man of character and upmost integrity who astonishes me every day with the intentionality he brings to everything in his life, personally and professionally.”
Caren W.General Counsel
"Senior lawyers often face challenges that require wisdom more than technical expertise. When I faced complex ethical decisions, Joe helped me navigate to the best acceptable outcome. For leaders of law departments seeking not just technical improvement but strategic insight and clarity, Joe's combination of experience and wisdom makes him an invaluable coaching partner."
Michael S.Chief Legal Officer
“I’ve known Joe for the better part of two decades, in multiple roles over those years. Whether as a Chief Legal Officer over one of the largest in-house departments in healthcare or as an outside advisor, Joe uniformly appears with focus, equilibrium, and perspective. The last quality is the most valuable to me and I’m excited he’s chosen to share his wealth of real-world experience with other professionals. He is a leader first, who happens also to be a good lawyer.”
Greg T.Managing General Counsel
"Because of Joe’s mentorship and coaching, I was able to switch my practice area from general litigation to health law transactional work. Joe educated me on the nuances of this practice area, guiding me from his personal experience and introducing techniques for managing contract negotiations and business clients. I am very appreciative of Joe’s kindness, patience, and extensive knowledge on running an in-house environment, as well as his focus on continuous, personal improvement."
Melissa H.Associate General Counsel
"Joe not only got me focused on the right things, he helped hold me accountable in between meetings. It is invaluable to pitch ideas and strategies to a coach like Joe, who very recently sat in the C-level seat. I have a much better idea of how things will be received after I’ve done a dry run with Joe."
John P.Law Firm Partner and Adjunct Professor
"Joe trained me to think more like a business person, which has helped me deliver a more accessible and usable work product for my clients and colleagues. He imparts wisdom gained from his vast array of legal and life experiences, making him an excellent resource and sounding board for me in my day-to-day practice. I consider him a trusted and experienced mentor, who has helped make me an indispensable part of my teams from behind the scenes.”
Mary L.Associate General Counsel

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