Legal Leap Year
Legal Leap Year
By: Jacob Rubinstein Founder and Managing Partner Rubinstein Law Firm, PLLCP
Life happens so fast. Somehow, I woke up one morning and had the privilege to join the legal department at JPMorgan, a role that lasted for years. Our team was legendary, the work was always stimulating, and a bright future loomed on the Horizon.
In March of 2019, I was approached by a recruiter from probably the most heralded startup at that time. After seven rounds of interviews and revising two company agreements at about 40 pages apiece, I accepted a new role with this organization. It was sad to leave the environment that kept me smiling but doubling my salary and stock options was hard to turn down. Much to my disappointment, this company had arguably the biggest bust in American corporate history. Their valuation was cut by nearly 90% in a month. With it, new hires disappeared quickly; in my instance, it was just three weeks after my onboarding. It was painful, but I shook it off and resumed my search.
Though I had a few offers, none were to my liking. After five months of hunting, I got an even better offer than the issuer of my termination. On the day of my deadline to accept, I said, I am not doing this. I always wanted to work for myself, and I'm doing it! Most of my friends thought I took ill, and my family thought I was crazier than the majority of my social circle. Not a client in my pocket, I had worked in corporations since law school, aka no law firm experience; how did I intend to pull this off? My financial flexibility was limited, but my gut just told me it's going to be great.
As crazy as the last paragraph was, imagine I was more successful in 8 months than I had been in any year in my life. Of course, as an Orthodox Jew, I believe my efforts helped, but I know that the single most crucial factor was divine intervention. Over 50% of those eight months were during a global pandemic.
How'd I do it? I networked like crazy, learned marketing, and with a sales background prior to law school, I knew if I had a potential client, I knew how to close. It is hands down, the best professional decision I ever made. When people ask me in retrospect how I turned down the offer and took the leap at that time, my answer has been and likely will always be I have no idea. Temporary insanity, I suppose but never have I been so fortunate or thrilled by the prospect of being bonkers.
To digress, many people were super instrumental. In fact, from a marketing perspective, I had some extreme luck. There was this girl I connected with on LinkedIn; I don't remember when or how we connected. I had seven marketers in my network, and I reached out to all to see if they were up to bartering services. I lucked out that Tiffany Grossman (or Rifky as I know her now) responded, and we had a chance to do some light work for one another. I never anticipated that for each new marketing idea I had, she would help me develop it and facilitate. (Rifky is inserting a mutualshebimutual here). The positivity and optimism as well as success shared above, I am comfortable saying, there is no way it would have been to this degree without her marketing genius and wonderful personality make her a pleasure to work with.
This has been an incredible year for me. I encourage everyone to take the plunge if they have the entrepreneurial spirit. If you are concerned, you do not know all the necessary facets to bring it to life; you're in luck; I have a great contact who can make it go away; her name is Tiffany/Rifky Grossman.
I recognize myself as privileged to glean advice, expertise, and goodwill sounding board from Mr. Rubenstein. See contact info below, #bestofsuccess, in joining the winner's circle.
Jacob Rubinstein
Founder and Managing Partner
Rubinstein Law Firm, PLLCP: (516) 268-7077
E: JR@RubEsq.com
W: www.rubesq.com
961 Broadway, Woodmere,
NY 11598
