Lawyers of Distinction is a nationwide company that recognizes excellence in the practice of law. It started as an idea to recognize lawyers who frequently do community service, have an extensive educational background, a good track record, and no violations of any ethical standards. Unlike many other organizations that aim to help Bar-certified attorneys across the United States, this merit-based company operates through nominations. Those who are offered a membership become eligible for perks that range from crystal plaques all the way to online directories that are browsed by thousands of people looking for legal representation. In the past, most law firms that found their way to these databases have seen an enormous spike in the demand for their services. When it comes to the management of this company, the combined credentials of people in charge are longer than one could ever comprehend. A perfect example is the Head of Membership Services Jesse Brodsky who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science as well as a Juris Doctorate.
1.What was your best/favorite subject in school?
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
I would have to say that government-related classes were always more intriguing to me than the rest. Although I never struggled with any particular course and had praise-worthy writing skills, the only instance when I could give someone my undivided attention for hours was when a professor would talk about politics in our nation. My family used to get worried that I hold such a passionate interest in a topic that widely exceeds my teenage intellectual abilities. Turns out, it was a foreshadow of what my college undergraduate major will be!
What was your first job?
It was a 20-hour, on-campus tutoring job. I used to work with students who needed academic guidance on classes that I have previously taken.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
Given that I started learning about government at an early age, I decided that my college major should be focused on political studies. After four years of coursework, I was under the impression that I had much more to offer to the world. Consequently, I went on to obtain a Juris Doctorate at Barry University. I chose to practice law because it came as a perfect match for my mix of in-depth knowledge of the Constitution and soft skills that enable me to work with people effortlessly. My first hands-on experience in this industry was a summer internship with a local law firm. It was in between the second and third year of my studies at the Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Sadly, my on-campus employment only had a few transferable skills that would be applicable to my field of expertise. The internship, on the other hand, thought me how to prepare a case, deliver an opening statement, file paperwork, create a lawsuit, negotiate settlements, and more.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
It was a few months ago when we received feedback from some of our members. They were praising the organization for helping their firms grow their customer base and increase revenues.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I think of my job as a way to make a difference in the lives of extraordinary attorneys. Trust me, it is not difficult to push yourself beyond your limits when you see how far-reaching and impactful your actions are.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
Anything that shows a potential to grow our company gets my blood flowing. I am not a specialist on running a business and strategies that would help expand Lawyers of Distinction are beyond me. After all, my knowledge and experience revolve around court cases and litigation. Thus, when someone on our team has a game-changing epiphany, all of us share in the joyful feeling of success to come.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
The furthest I went was advertising on social media. That, however, probably fails to qualify as “unorthodox” in any way. Since we work with platforms like CNN, Fox News, the American Bar Association, and more, there is seldom any need to look for unconventional and ground-breaking ways to conduct our marketing campaigns.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Some of my most important milestones are the college degrees that I obtained. Also, climbing to the head of membership services position was my greatest professional achievement thus far. It helped me quantify all the effort that I have invested into this organization. Seeing it pay off, I must say, has been very rewarding and exciting.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
Maybe to neglect the traditional career paths that many young lawyers get tied to. I have seen countless individuals go through a non-paid internship, receive an employment offer from the law firm that they interned with, work there for some time, and then proceed to open their own practices or become a partner at the firm. There is so much more to a fruitful attorney’s career. Although I support everyone who becomes a partner or runs their own firm, I think that people should look for ways to do something different and make their careers stand out. This is what I would share with any younger person in this field, myself included.