Member Spotlight: Michael Goldblatt

Tell us a little bit about your career

I'm a retired in-house lawyer who worked the entirety of my career in New Orleans. Although I worked a few years for a large law firm, most of my career was in the small Law Department of a multinational corporation. I worked for a company that supplies marine transportation to the international oil industry. My practice areas included corporate, securities, and investor relations.

Is it what you had planned when you started law school?

After undergraduate school, I pursued a joint degree in business and law to keep my options open. During graduate school, I decided on law because it provided an opportunity to counsel clients about legal problems and opportunities.

What has been the highlight of your career?

The highlight of my career has been the personal relationships that I developed working for a single client. I worked with management and staff around the world. My job exposed me to different cultures and legal systems. It allowed me to travel to several countries in Africa, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

If you could go back to the beginning of your legal career, would you have done anything differently?

I regret that I didn’t apply for a combined degree program to complete a law and accounting degree together. After receiving a JD, I went back to school during my degree to take the courses required to sit for the CPA exam.

What advice would you give to someone considering law school today?

I recommend that undergraduates pursue a career that fits their interests instead of focusing on compensation. I also recommend taking a year after college to work as a paralegal prior to entering law school. A paralegal job gives career insight and valuable networks and serves as a resume builder.

What were the biggest changes you saw in the legal profession over the course of your career?

The biggest changes I've seen are related to developments in law, technology, and communication. Other changes include a rise in mega firms and nonlaw firm providers.

When did you first become a member of the ABA and why did you decide to join?

I joined the ABA as a law student to further my career. ABA activities have helped me to improve skills, develop lasting friendships, and contribute to the legal profession.

What has been the highlight of your work with the ABA?

My ABA activities include chairing several in-house counsel committees, organizing seminars, and authoring ABA books on marketing, management, and preventive law.

Are there any member benefits that SLD or the ABA provided to you that helped you decide to become a member of the ABA and/or SLD?

ABA membership provided opportunities for networking and learning. Over the years, I’ve organized seminars, chaired committees, and written books for the ABA. 

If you had not become a lawyer, what do you think you would have done?

My combined degree program provided a unique opportunity to explore a variety of career paths. I might have pursued a career in accounting or marketing if I hadn't become a lawyer.

Have you had any “experiences” in your legal career that you believe helped you become a better lawyer or person?

Being a lawyer has helped me to improve my speaking, thinking, and writing skills. Law school was just a beginning. Learning is a lifelong process.