This spring, New York Law School students took part in the school’s week-long Mini-M.B.A. program, the flagship initiative of NYLS’s James Tricarico Jr. Institute for the Business of Law and In-House Counsel. I attended alongside fellow students, and the robust program introduced us to the intersection of business and law. We were also lucky to explore innovative ideas for career paths-an especially helpful exercise as we look out on our futures.
Over the course of our intensive week together, we learned from practitioners and professors who are experts in their fields. We covered a broad range of topics, including risk management, finance, compliance, cybersecurity, employment law, legal technology, negotiation, and communications. We gained an understanding of the fundamentals of each topic with an eye toward our success in future in-house roles. The bottom line is that to be an effective in-house counsel, one needs to develop a solid grasp of their company’s business model and operations.
Each day, we spent our lunchtimes with a Leadership Lunch sponsored by Norm Eaker, Retired Chief Administrative Officer of Edward Jones. The lunches always featured speakers, including James Tricarico ’77, member of the NYLS Board of Trustees and former General Counsel at Edward Jones; Deva Roberts ’11, General Counsel at Douglas Elliman; Gabriel G. Matus ’00, General Counsel at Excel Sports Management; and Thomas J. Kavaler, Senior Counsel at Cahill. Each speaker gave us insight into their jobs and offered concrete, actionable advice to become future leaders and how to build our networks.
A true highlight was our evening reception, sponsored by Bressler, Amery, and Ross. It was a critical opportunity to network and get to know attorneys from the firm alongside members of the Mini-M.B.A. faculty and Tricarico Institute Board of Advisors.
“The Bressler team was delighted to join the Tricarico Institute Mini-M.B.A. program” says Edward A. Velky ’15, Associate, Bressler, Amery & Ross. “It was an excellent opportunity to speak with NYLS students about the importance of learning your clients’ businesses-something we know will serve them in their careers.”
Having completed the Mini-M.B.A. program, I’m well-prepared to enter the job market once I graduate. I gained valuable knowledge and skills, and I’m much more confident in my abilities to interview and collaborate with working professionals in the world of business law.
