167. Guided by Mentors, A Lawyer Defends His Peers and Profession
Brian Tannebaum
Brian Tannebaum’s clients are either lawyers trying to remain lawyers, law students trying to become lawyers, or lawyers facing state or federal criminal charges. His book, The Practice: Brutal Truths About Lawyers and Lawyering, is a best seller. He is a former columnist for Above the Law, and a certified sommelier.
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
One word: mentors. “They are the common denominator of what I am today.” In college, his goal was to work for the governor, but his mentor said, “I see you as a lawyer. You need to go to law school.” Mentors played crucial roles at several pivotal points in his career.
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
“At every turn in my professional life, where I decided what to do, somebody was there with 20 to 30 years of experience saying to me, ‘Looking at you, this is what I think you should do and I’m going to help you get there.’” So, Brian’s career guidance is always to consult mentors.
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“As you consider your career decisions, I think you need an understanding of what the day-to-day of the profession is, not just what you hear about it—the financial success, the cars, the offices—and you really have to understand what it takes to be the person that you envy.”
On His Bookshelf
The Practice: Brutal Truths About Lawyers and Lawyering, by Brian Tannebaum
Connecting With Brian Tannebaum
Email: brian@tannebaum.com
Website: tannebaumweiss.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/btannebaum
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/briantannebaum
