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Josh, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP: Advize Career Interview

A career path initially focused on academia unexpectedly shifted to a rewarding 21-year journey in employment law, culminating in a partnership at Seyfarth Shaw LLP. This individual's daily responsibilities encompass litigation management, client counseling, publishing, and mentoring.

A typical day involves email management, shifting from drafting motions to strategic client advising with increasing seniority.

Success in this field requires exceptional organizational skills, concise writing, and collaborative abilities, but also a "type A personality" and strong business development skills, including the often-overlooked art of selling legal services.

The most fulfilling aspects include preventative legal work, winning cases, and mentoring junior associates. The greatest challenge is balancing work demands with personal life, a difficulty exacerbated by court schedules.

Legal education provides a "fuller understanding of the world," while a strong reputation is a career's most valuable asset.

A philosophy background unexpectedly contributed to the success of this individual, demonstrating transferable skills are key.

The individual also strongly recommends considering entry-level positions in law firms for a realistic career preview.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Josh Rodine

Partner

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

University of California, Santa Barbara (1996)

University of Maryland, College Park (MA, Philosophy 1999); University of Illinois College of Law (JD, 2002)

Philosophy

Law

Legal

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Initially intending to pursue a PhD in philosophy and a career in academia, Josh's career path took an unexpected turn after realizing the limited job prospects. A pivotal moment involved unexpectedly finding a passion for employment law, leading to a summer internship at the US Senate Chief Council for Employment, which solidified their decision to pursue this field, resulting in a 21-year career, including 16.5 years at Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

Career Path of a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Main Responsibilities of a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, dedicates approximately half of his time to "managing the day-to-day of litigation," including discovery and motion practice. Beyond litigation, a significant portion of his role involves client counseling on risk mitigation and employment law issues, along with a notable passion for publishing updates and mentoring junior associates.

Main Responsibilities of a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

A Day In The Life Of A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

A day for a labor and employment partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP involves significant "email triage," shifting from direct casework like "drafting motions" early in the career to strategic client advising and editing as seniority increases. Post-pandemic, remote work has reduced time spent on travel for court hearings, allowing more focus on client communication and internal strategy.

A Day In The Life Of A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Most Important Skills For A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

For a successful legal career at a firm like Seyfarth Shaw LLP, exceptional organizational skills are critical, especially given the strict deadlines in litigation, where missing "deadlines...may do something catastrophic". Beyond organization, the ability to write concisely and collaboratively, both internally and externally with clients, is paramount for effective communication and successful project completion.

Most Important Skills For A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Favorite Parts of Being a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, finds the most satisfaction in "working with clients to avoid problems before they arise," prioritizing preventative legal strategies over solely reactive litigation, even though "winning a case at trial" is also rewarding. The mentorship aspect of guiding and teaching junior associates is equally fulfilling, focusing on understanding "not just what we do and how we do it, but why we do it."

Favorite Parts of Being a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Josh, a litigation partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, identifies the biggest challenge as "balancing the demands of work with interests outside of work," a difficulty amplified by the inflexible nature of court schedules which dictate "my schedule is dictated...by the courts." This makes even simple personal planning, like family vacations, incredibly difficult to manage alongside the demands of a high-powered litigation career.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Favorite Parts of Working in the Legal Industry as a Partner

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, appreciates the "fuller understanding of the world" gained from legal education, particularly its political insights. Their labor and employment practice provides daily relevance, impacting "everyone" through insight into employer concerns, legal requirements, and employee experiences cultivated over 21 years.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Legal Industry as a Partner

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Legal Industry, According To A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Success in the legal industry hinges on a "type A personality" driven by achievement, measurable by both case outcomes ("wins and losses") and business development skills. Josh highlights the often-overlooked importance of "selling legal services," a crucial element for private sector attorneys that is rarely discussed during legal education.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Legal Industry, According To A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP

What a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Law Industry

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, reveals a crucial, often unacknowledged aspect of legal practice: "everyone...is essentially a salesperson," emphasizing the importance of selling legal services for long-term success, a reality rarely discussed in law school or popular media. This salesmanship, vital for bringing in clients whether in a large firm or solo practice, is a key lesson learned throughout their career.

What a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Law Industry

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, suggests two entry-level paths for undergraduates interested in law: working as a receptionist or clerk in a law firm provides valuable insight into "how the sausage is made," allowing one to explore a legal career before committing to law school and potentially saving time and money. The experience benefits both the individual, by offering a realistic view of legal practice, and the firm, by providing "very smart, uh, young people who are very hungry."

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Significant Career Lesson from a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Josh, a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, emphasizes that "your reputation" is the most valuable career asset, particularly in law where interactions are frequent and relationships matter. The positive reputation Josh cultivated, even being described as "too nice" by opposing counsel, ultimately benefits clients by fostering trust and smoother, more productive collaborations.

Significant Career Lesson from a Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP

How Identity Has Influenced A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP's Career

Josh's undergraduate philosophy studies unexpectedly shaped their legal career; the skills honed in "making very subtle distinctions between different concepts" and crafting "really solid, persuasive analytical writing" proved invaluable in their current practice at Seyfarth Shaw LLP. This rigorous training in philosophical argumentation and writing translated directly into the analytical and persuasive writing demands of a successful legal career.

How Identity Has Influenced A Partner At Seyfarth Shaw LLP's Career
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