The Rainmaking Machine (Marketing Planning, Strategy and Management for Firms)
David Chizewer, an attorney who focuses his practice in the education industry, was interviewed for a chapter in the publication, The Rainmaking Machine. Excerpts from the chapter Chizewer commented on, Building a Practice Around a Passion, appear below:
§ 52:2 Origins of the practices
David Chizewer, a business litigation partner at Chicago’s Goldberg Kohn, traces his interest in education issues to his college days. His roommate at Pamona College in California was a fellow Chicago resident, but an African-American who had been sent to an elite boarding school in New England through a program that identified and funded the education of minorities from disadvantaged backgrounds. While attending the University of Chicago Law School, Chizewer looked for a similar program to support and got involved in the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation which provides scholarships, test preparation, a language program and summer jobs to Chicago-area eight-graders.
When Chicago passed charter school legislation in 1995, Mr. Chizewer started a charter school which is now the largest charter school in Illinois. His involvement led him to advocate for charter schools through the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. From this involvement his firm has developed an education industry practice which is comprised of several partners and associates. It has become a significant part of his practice.
§ 52:3 Marketing strategies and tactics to develop the practice
Each of these lawyers has realized the significance of smart and continual marketing of their practices, even if they just ‘fell into’ the practices they have built.
As one of the few lawyers in Illinois focusing on education reform and charter schools, Chizewer’s name has gotten around and he gets many referrals. His many board positions have put him in touch with business leaders and they are a foundation of his business network. He does a lot of speaking and interaction in the schools. This activity has led to significant interaction with legislators and to working with Barak Obama on his campaign for the U.S. Senate. He also was selected as one of 35 Fellows in the Leadership Greater Chicago Program.
§ 52:6 Lessons learned and advice to others
What advice can be gleaned from these accomplished attorneys for others wanting to build a practice around a cause or compelling interest?
Convey your sincere passion
“It is hard to go into something you care about with a big practice as your goal,” says David Chizewer. “People have to feel your passion and genuineness, and you have to spend a lot of time creating real value for the organization or cause.” Not incidentally, that distinguished you from people whose primary role on boards is to just give money. You differentiate yourself when you get things done. And having contributed in your volunteer efforts, you have participated and have experience with the issues in ways that others trying to get the legal work probably have not.
