b'conference room, where the meeting quickly gotreally isnt about food and alcohol, its about imparting a adversarial. Joel listened to the contentious back andfeelingits about having our customers experience forth for a few minutes. I did not know him very well, and Iwarmth and hospitality, about treating them like they are was trying to figure out why he had put about 20the most important people in the room. Its not about the sharpened pencils, all different lengths, on the table. I wasMichelin stars (though we have those, and they are really worried that the deal was going to fall apart, andwonderful). Its about the customers experience of feeling that Joel couldnt possibly catch up on all of the dealwell cared for and appreciated. Its been a revelation details. Soon after arranging his pencils on the table, Joelcoming from a corporate environment. asked everyone to take a breath and, with a few sentences, he cut through all of the details, dispelled allOn to less serious things. What do you do in yourthe arguments, and took command of the room. And thespare time?deal did indeed close, and Mintz did indeed collect itsI play with Juju, my dog. Watch movies. Read. And Im fees. Watching Joel command the room was a realtaking design classes. Its something Ive always loved but revelation. I learned a lot from him that day. And sincenever had time for before. Its been great! that day hes been a valuable mentor and friend. He has advised me on professional issues, and he has also lookedWhat are you currently reading? out for me in other respects. He once gave me a book about dating, he left me many delightfully garbledAt the Existentialist Caf. Its about the development of voicemails and news clippings over the course of my timeexistentialism through the eyes of the philosophers in at the firm (anyone who knows Joel knows exactly what I1930s Paris. Fascinating! am talking about), and he generally looked out for the whole Avisheh, not just Avisheh the corporate lawyer. IIf there was one piece of advice you could give to your really value that. younger self, or to a mentee or protg who is just embarking on a career, what advice would you give?So maybe youve already answered this, butAlways ask yourself if youre being as open to favorite person at Mintz? experiences, and as self-aware, as you can possibly be at Hmmm I am definitely not answering that question any given time. A missed experience is a missed too much potential for getting in trouble with the people Iopportunity.dont name!Do you have a professional bucket list? Whats on it? Fair enough. Ok, back to the present. You are a majorTo combine my love of travel with my career. Also, to help foodie, and youve become the chief legal officer of athose who cant help themselves, not through fundraising company that is all about food. How has that been?or other remote activities, but by being in the field and Every single person I work for and with has a passion forhands-on, where you can see the difference being made food, wine, and creating memorable moments. Whatthrough the looks on those peoples faces.could possibly be bad about that? [laughs] Though it 5'