Name: Jordan Arnot Leahey

Category: Law Firm: Collaborative Leadership

Firm/Company: Partridge Partners

Title: Partner

Time in Position: Since 2015

What was your route to the top?

I am a partner at Partridge Partners in Chicago, where my practice is focused on intellectual property and tech transactions across a broad spectrum of industries, many of which are highly regulated (such as alcoholic beverages, financial services and health care) requiring specialized expertise.

I am truly passionate about my practice, fully immersing myself in and embracing every opportunity presented to learn and develop in-depth knowledge of the law, closely following updates thereto. With that knowledge, I try to make meaningful contributions to the profession—having published hundreds of articles in a variety of publications, including highly regarded law review journals. I was recognized as a skilled expert in the subject matter and asked to author a regular column in IP Litigator, a preeminent publication in my practice area.

I apply this same commitment to learning about each of my clients and their businesses in order to ensure I serve as an effective member of the team achieving each client's goals. I recognized early in my career the importance of being responsive, attentive to the goals/needs of the client rather than legal abstractions. The key to my success has been a focus on delivering an efficient, usable work product that takes the client's business into account when delivering legal advice.

What keeps you up at night? 

Since my 10-month-old baby is a champion sleeper, the only things that keep me up at night these days are thoughts centered around the concerns of our clients—I genuinely care about my clients' success and how things turn out for each of them.

What is the best leadership advice you've given or received, and why do you think it was effective?

Help others succeed and you will too. Focusing on the success of those around you—be it colleagues, clients or other team members allows you to be the rising tide that lifts all boats. Recognizing that you have the ability to lift others up imparts a sense of responsibility that focuses attention on what is important: the people with whom you work.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?

When starting out, I knew that I would always work diligently for my clients, but I wish I had known how invested I would become in each client and its success. Even more compelling, I could not have anticipated how rewarding it would be to create successful partnerships with clients—one that is fostered by learning about each client's business, needs, goals and expectations—and to be considered a valuable member of each team.

What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you?

I received a valuable bit of career advice while managing a community swimming pool when I was in high school. I noticed that one of my coworkers always volunteered to join me in the hardest and dirtiest jobs—such as cleaning locker/restrooms—remaining cheerful in spite of the tasks at hand, making my job not only easier but enjoyable. This has resonated: As long as you always do the best you can in every job, appreciate those around you, and allow yourself to have fun along the way, you will always find the work fulfilling. I have followed that principle throughout my legal career. My colleagues and clients deserve the best I can give and this is what I have always done, the relationships engendered make the hard work truly enjoyable and tremendously fulfilling.