Career Spotlight: Michael R. Geroe (F'90)

General Counsel, Adknowledge, Inc.

Describe your current position and what led you to your job:

I am general counsel of a privately held technology company which operates a large social-network-based advertising network and helps businesses advertise through the Internet.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your career?

Earlier this year I won my first case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, on a matter of first impression concerning Internet-based advertising practices. The dispute began in 2006, and it was not clear we were going to be successful. It was very rewarding to have the position I’d been arguing vindicated after a three-year, drawn out battle.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Find something about which you are passionate; that is the area in which you can make a successful career – the motivation must come from within, not in “search of” the highest pay or the career paths others tell you to follow.

What would you recommend to someone interested in working in your field?

Have patience and perseverance; these qualities will help you greatly in a career in the law. The field of law is also immense: explore different areas through research/reading/internships to find the area about which you can be passionate.

What challenges have you faced and how did you successfully manage one situation?

The transition from private practice to working in-house was challenging. The skills of the former are sharpened by becoming increasingly expert in an ever-greater niche of the law; the value of the latter, at least for a “general counsel,” is to be a jack of all trades and master of none. However, when you don’t have the budget to hire outside experts, and you’re the only lawyer on hand, you are viewed as the de facto expert. Managing expectations, learning new areas of law and working with outside counsel were all new skills I had to start managing with my move from private practice to a company.

What skills are necessary or what prepared you the most for your career?

1. Luck (Optimism); 2. Perseverance; 3. Patience; 4. Flexibility; in that order.

What professional associations have aided in your professional development?

American Bar Association; Association of Corporate Counsel; American Hungarian Executive Circle.

If you could have another career what would it be?

I can’t think of any other career I’d prefer over the one I have now.