Today, My New Journey Begins

Yesterday, I walked away from BigLaw partnership, today I'm finding my inspiration

For the past 6 months, my wife and I have been searching for the next career step.
 
I love being a lawyer, I love M&A, and I love working hard, but I was missing something I have not felt in a long time.
 
After the military, I started a business, raised angel funding, and launched it. Every day were ten new challenges and ten new pivots. The goals seemed impossible but then were achieved. The next goals were impossible and achieved. One day all was lost, the next I was on the top of the world. I whooped when I got a new contract signed, and yelled when lost a bid.
 
It was exhausting, it was heartbreaking, and, it was exhilarating.

I loved it.
 
The feeling of running my own business was unlike anything else. When the business failed, I never felt that feeling again. I have been on a W2 ever since.

 As a BigLaw lawyer, I put on a suit and did deals on the cover of the Wall Street Journal with billions at stake. Yet, I never felt that feeling.
 
As I wandered my personal desert looking for inspiration, I met Eric B. Pacifici, Kevin Henderson, and Sam Rosati and there it was. There was the spark, there was that feeling. That is what I had been searching for. I heard it when they talked.

I saw it in their eyes when they described their move from BigLaw to the dream of creating a different kind of law firm. A firm designed to represent smaller buyers and sellers is so often overlooked.
 
We shared the same values. Like me, they are Dads dedicated to career success but also want to attend birthday parties, little league matches, and school events. They want to have date nights and playdates. They surround themselves with clients that understand because they are also entrepreneurs who put family first.
 
They are committed to breaking the law firm mold and creating something better. Over the past year, I have watched them build it and it is beautiful.
 
While I was leaning toward starting my own firm, I knew that partnering with Eric, Kevin, Sam, and Jake Parsley (now, Norina D'Agostini and Laura Wilhite Gieseke) was a force multiplier. I came away from each conversation more inspired and focused.
 
Today, I am proud to announce, I am joining my new partners at SMB Law Group. But, I am also restarting my entrepreneurial journey to build a practice and surround myself with clients who share my values and priorities.
 
I lay in bed last night with butterflies in my stomach. I was scared. I have all sorts of voices of doubt. But, for the first time in so many years, that feeling is back.
 
I am overwhelmingly honored by my first clients (an independent sponsor, small PE group, and Seller) who have called me and trusted me to represent them (you know who you are and I am deeply grateful).
 
Shabbat Shalom to all and let the next journey begin!