Partner in 65 Attorney Twin Cities Law Firm

Name: David M. Cremons

Major: Political Science and English

Law School: University of Minnesota

Description of your job: Partner in 65 attorney Twin Cities law firm specializing in business creation and organization, mergers and financing. I have also done a lot of commercial development and construction‑related work. I was a litigator for my first five years, but have been a commercial lawyer for the last 20 years.

Do you have any advice for students who are considering going to the same law school you did? Be prepared for a difficult and challenging experience. It will likely be far more competitive and stressful than anything you have previously encountered academically (particularly in the first year).

Is there anything in particular that you did during your undergrad that benefited you more than anything else in getting through law school and/or transitioning into the legal profession? I did a great deal of writing and reading (including difficult works by authors like James Joyce)in undergrad and that proved to be of considerable benefit. Certain courses, particularly in history, were also beneficial in starting to make the connection between law and social order.

If you had a chance to go through law school all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Spending more time getting to know some of the professors. Some were not very approachable, but others were quite interesting and connected to the students.

Is being a lawyer what you expected it would be? Why or why not? It's actually very different (at least at this stage of my career). While law school felt a little like trade school (quite technical), the practice is much more about creative problem solving. In many respects, you function as a guide to the legal/governmental/regulatory system, assisting clients who need to understand how they fit within the system. It requires careful analysis of options, working effectively with all kinds of people and, in particular, strong communication skills. Building solid relationships with clients and other professionals is also a huge factor in becoming effective.

What is it like transitioning from being a law student to being a lawyer? Very tough. You need a concerned mentor or you will struggle.

Is there anything students should know about the legal profession before they decide to commit their life to it? It is a door leading to many potential paths. Private practice is very demanding and stressful quite a bit of the time. It can also be fascinating and allow you to accomplish a great deal. Other paths have different challenges and opportunities. Many law grads end up doing something totally unrelated to the law. However, the training is useful in just about any capacity.

What does a typical day look like for you as a lawyer? 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Perhaps a dozen phone calls including a conference call or two. Fifty or more e‑mails with clients, opposing counsel, etc. Drafting and negotiating multiple contracts or transactions. I also manage a considerable amount of litigation for my business clients.

Do you have any final advice? Think very carefully about why you want to pursue this career‑it is most certainly not for everybody. Write as much as you can and sign up for a course in Logic ‑from Plato through Thomas Aquinas to modern syllogistic reasoning. Logic is a hugely powerful weapon if you know how to use it. Ask yourself whether you have a way with people‑ you will never be very effective if you can't empathize with people and also build a bond that will allow you to share bad news along with good. Stay committed to your integrity at all costs‑it will be repeatedly tested and its loss can be almost undetectable.