top of page
Ben, Partner at Rimon Law: Advize Career Interview
A Rimon Law Partner's career journey began with undergraduate investigative work, leading to a joint J.D./MPP at Berkeley and diverse roles in federal courts, the Justice Department, and a lobbying firm.
This experience culminated in in-house counsel positions and the current part-time general counsel role for smaller firms.
A day involves reactive problem-solving, document review, advising on federal securities laws, and strategic initiatives. Success requires active listening, identifying legal issues, and providing timely advice.
The most enjoyable aspects include collaboration, remote work flexibility, and autonomy. The biggest challenge is generating new business, demanding consistent networking.
The industry values intelligence, numerical aptitude, and strong interpersonal skills, especially managing client emotions and preventing poor decisions.
Clear communication and prompt responsiveness are paramount for success, as is understanding client finances. A valuable entry point is a paralegal position.
Precise communication and high academic achievement are keys to success in graduate programs and the legal field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Ben Douglas
Partner
Rimon Law
UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley -- JD and MPP
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
History, Art History
Law
Legal
None Applicable
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A General Counsel For Investment Firms
Ben's career path began with undergraduate work "doing investigations for the local courts," followed by a joint J.D./MPP at Berkeley and various summer positions in federal courts, the Justice Department, and a lobbying firm. This led to roles as in-house counsel for Charles Schwab and a mid-sized investment firm, culminating in the current position as a part-time general counsel for smaller firms, a role Ben plans to continue.
Main Responsibilities of a Partner at Rimon Law
Ben, a Partner at Rimon Law, provides comprehensive legal counsel to small business clients, handling "all of the legal aspects of their businesses," including areas outside of his direct expertise such as labor law and litigation management. This holistic approach ensures client compliance with relevant laws, particularly federal securities laws, and proactively mitigates potential legal issues through careful contract review and guidance.
A Day In The Life Of A Partner At Rimon Law
A day for Ben, an outside general counsel for investment firms, is largely "reactive," involving answering client questions via various means and working on ongoing projects such as reviewing lengthy documents (e.g., "80 pages long") related to mergers and acquisitions. The work also encompasses advising on federal securities laws and strategic initiatives, interacting with everyone from junior staff to CEOs.
Most Important Skills For A Partner At Rimon Law
For a partner at Rimon Law, actively listening to clients and helping "clarify their questions" is crucial, as is the ability to quickly identify potential legal issues within client narratives—"spotting the illegal issues"—and providing timely, informed advice, even if that means seeking further research or expert consultation. This combination of client communication and legal acumen is key to success.
Favorite Parts of Being a Partner at Rimon Law
Ben, a Partner at Rimon Law, most enjoys the collaborative nature of the role, feeling "part of a lot of different teams" with clients. The flexibility to work remotely and maintain autonomy, including the ability to "take a day off if [he] want[s] to," is also highly valued.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Partner at Rimon Law
Ben's biggest challenge as a Partner at Rimon Law is "generating new business, new clients," requiring consistent effort in networking and relationship building, often with a lengthy timeframe—"months or even years"—before seeing results from initial outreach. This highlights the ongoing need for proactive business development in a legal career at this level.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Financial Services Industry As A Partner
Success in this industry requires intelligence and numerical aptitude, but equally important is a personable demeanor to manage client emotions effectively, as "a lot of it is...managing clients' emotions." The most valuable contribution often involves preventing poor client decisions, as some wealth managers have noted that "the most value they add is just preventing their clients from making dumb decisions."
What Type Of Person Thrives In Law, According To A Partner At Rimon Law
Rimon Law Partner Ben highlights clear communication as the most crucial skill for success in the legal industry, emphasizing that "clients don't really appreciate...getting to the right answer" as much as prompt communication and responsiveness to their needs. Attentive client interaction, including "returning emails and phone calls promptly," is key to thriving, more so than technical legal expertise alone.
What A Partner At Rimon Law Wishes They Knew Before Practicing Law
Ben, a Partner at Rimon Law, emphasizes the critical importance of client financial stability in running a small law practice, stating "you've always gotta be very conscious of clients' financial situation". The ability to collect payment is paramount to success, irrespective of legal work quality, as "if they don't pay the bills, then you're not gonna make a living".
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers at Rimon Law
For undergraduate students exploring law careers, Ben, a Rimon Law Partner, suggests a paralegal position at a firm specializing in the area of interest as a valuable entry point. This allows one to "get up close to" the work, develop relationships with lawyers, and gain insight into the field before committing to law school.
Significant Career Lesson From A Partner At Rimon Law
Ben, a Partner at Rimon Law, emphasizes the paramount importance of precise communication in a successful career, stating, "you can never communicate too precisely." The written word, in particular, ensures clarity and avoids misunderstandings inherent in verbal communication, as the recipient "can always come back and reread it."
College Experiences That Helped a Partner at Rimon Law Succeed
To succeed in a professional graduate program and subsequent career, Ben, a Partner at Rimon Law, emphasizes achieving "really good grades" and high LSAT/GMAT scores. Success also hinges on strong interpersonal skills, including "learning to be very attuned to what other people want" and communicating effectively about services and costs to foster good client relationships.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page