We took a one-week hiatus from blog-world to work on an initiative we’ve been brainstorming for the past few months. The initiative: to humanize the lawyers we know. To tell their story, in their words, with some gentle promptings.
First up: Ben Hicks.
Ben is an approachable, down-to-earth, thoughtful problem solver. He’s someone you can talk to for 1.5 hours, and then walk away thinking: Wow, did that just happen!? (Save the lawyer jokes).
More than anything, Ben cares. Whether it’s caring about his ongoing aspiration to be the next Steve Nash, or developing a strategy to help a client close the deal — he cares.
Here’s his story.
How’d you get to where you are today?
Out of law school, I had the opportunity to start my career at a large corporate law firm in New York City working on M&A, finance, and venture capital transactions. The firm required me to participate in formal training programs in each of those areas which was a tremendous benefit to my career. I eventually moved back home to North Carolina to work for a large corporate law firm here in Charlotte where I continued to have a broad corporate transactional practice.
As I refined my vision for my practice and got involved with clients engaged in entrepreneurial endeavors, I decided that I wanted to launch a firm with my partner, Sean Wagner, and build it from the ground up. We launched two months ago; I am thrilled with that decision and very excited for the future.
What inspires you in your practice?
A major part of my practice involves advising clients in connection with transformational events or major milestones in the life of their businesses. These milestones and events are often the result of years of hard work, and I feel honored to be able to play a role in helping guide my clients to these successful outcomes.
I am routinely inspired and energized by the clients whom I interact with. They put their respective and collective noses to the grindstone. They are willing to do whatever needs to be done to help their businesses succeed. And that’s inspiring because I adopt their mentality in helping each of our firm’s clients.
Outside of your practice, what are you passionate about?
I like living in Charlotte because it has three things that I am passionate about and feel are absolutely necessary in whatever city I live in – (1) a vibrant craft beer scene; (2) a diverse set of live music venues; and (3) professional sports teams.
What’s one thing you would change about the practice of law?
This might seem a bit silly, but having sat for two bar exams in two different states and having considered applying for admission in other jurisdictions, I would love it if there were reciprocity standards that apply equally in every state. I don’t want to take any new bar exams!
One unique and personal fact about you that the world should know.
I secretly refuse to accept that I’ll never be an NBA player. I’m holding out hope that one of these days a scout is going to see me playing pickup basketball at the YMCA and convince a team to sign me. I’m just a very late bloomer. Mitch Kupchak, if you’re reading this…just give me a chance!
To learn more or connect with Ben, find him here.