Craig Goldenfarb is the founder of GOLDENLAW. Attorney at Law Magazine interviewed him. Goldenfarb has a wealth of experience as a lawyer, having transitioned from being a litigator to overseeing major legal matters and client cases. He is also an advocate of community engagement and spearheads initiatives such as the Emanuel McMiller scholarship and Heart of the Game.
AALM Why did you choose a legal career?
CG In 1967, my mother was the Harvard Law School’s first female professor. As a child, I watched her defend alleged criminals, protect their rights and deal with the challenges of being a woman lawyer in the 70s and 80s. Her passion for her profession and her fight for individual rights inspired me to take her path.
AALMYour role has changed from being a lawyer to managing teams and large cases in your firm. Would you like to share your thoughts on how this change has affected your view of the legal profession.
CG Early in my career, I discovered that I was passionate about business. I realized that I could assist a greater number of people in their fight against insurance companies by transitioning from trial attorney into law firm CEO.
AALM : Name some of your mentors, and what are the most important lessons you learned from them?
CG My father in law, an attorney specializing in personal injury cases, has been and still is my mentor. I had a mentor that taught me to be both a businessman and a trial lawyer. He told me to react in every situation, but respond instead.
AALM Your commitment to community involvement can be seen in initiatives such as the Emanuel McMiller scholarship and Heart of the Game. What inspired you to start these charitable causes? How do they fit in with your professional values and what motivated you?
CG I’ve always wanted to help groups that are marginalized or underrepresented in our community. The scholarship was created to help urban communities find their way in legal careers.
Heart of the Game was my second charity. I had witnessed several soccer players dying in front of my eyes during my soccer career. It was empowering to know that an AED would have saved these players’ lives. I created a charity which distributes AEDs free of charge throughout Florida.
AALM : You’re the creator of the 7 Figure Attorney Summit. What is the purpose of the summit and what strategies do you think can help attorney CEOs improve their practices?
CG We learned nothing about managing people or running a business in law school. As I began my journey to become a CEO I learned these skills. I saw that many attorneys struggled in these areas. I created a 7 Figure Attorney seminar and a private coaching company to help them learn how to run a successful and fulfilling business while still providing an excellent professional service to clients.
AALMCan you share an experience that was memorable from your time as a NCAA Division I soccer player at Duke University and how it might have affected your approach to your law career?
CG I have learned to value humility. Since I wasn’t a starter I had to train and practice as hard as everyone else. I realized that, no matter how great you are at something there are always those who are more talented. This lesson taught that “comparison steals joy” in both business and life.
AALM Your involvement in community organizations such as Compass and Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force reflects your commitment towards community engagement. What is your view of the role of legal professionals in society?
CG We are attorneys and we have a certain authority in the society. Leading by example is what leadership is all about. My involvement in organizations that help those in need reflects my commitment in helping “level the playing field” for everyone in our local community.
AALM Your mother’s background, as a Harvard Law School Graduate and the first woman teaching fellow at Harvard, had a significant impact on your decision to pursue a career in law. What do you think of her legacy in terms of your leadership and law approach?
CG My mother has inspired me to be more determined and grit. I learned that the real growth comes from “leaning in to your discomfort”. This was what my mother experienced as a woman attorney in southwest Florida.
What advice would you offer to young lawyers just beginning their careers?
CG Don’t focus on your earnings. Focus on the culture of any firm you choose or your chosen practice area. The young lawyers with a growth-mindset and who are humble, lifelong learners are those who will succeed in both law and life.
AALM :What would surprise our readers to know about you?
CGI created a gaming room for my staff in my office, complete with pinball machines, foosball tables, bumper pool tables, and arcade machines with 80 arcades games from the 1980s. The excellent culture that we have developed at GOLDLAW has been enhanced by this. There are a lot Gen Xers working in our office. I’m sure we have some great bumper pool players.
Any other comments?
CG It is an honor to work in a field where I can help others. As CEO, I am able to help not only my clients but also the employees at my company as well as many other sectors in my community.
The article Craig Goldenfarb, Community Champion first appeared on Attorney at Law Magazine.