In law school, I enjoyed my finance and economics studies, so I became a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) lawyer. For me, the most interesting part of M&A is the tactical elements: how and why a business would purchase other companies and ultimately create value. After practicing law, I went to a young startup because that’s the only place where you can really learn how to build a business from scratch.
When you’re at a startup, your day-to-day revolves around addressing this question: “How do I solve the biggest problem facing our business?” My job covers everything: sales, marketing, recruiting, fundraising, customer success, partnerships—you name it. I use the skills I learned at Michigan Law daily—how to systematically evaluate a position and present an argument. Pitching an idea or designing a product is surprisingly similar to thinking through a law school exam.
I never felt limited to “traditional’’ legal jobs during my time at Michigan Law. The faculty leaned into real-world experiences—and encouraged many different career outcomes. U-M alumni end up everywhere, doing everything. This close yet expansive network is unique among law schools. Now, I’m lucky enough to work with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met every day.
