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Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 2014
Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?
Going to law school and becoming a lawyer was recommended for me by different important people in my life over and over again. Those who knew me best suggested I would be a great fit and suggested my strengths tended to align with what they believed were the strengths of great lawyers. While I resisted for years, I decided during my senior year of college to study and attempt the LSAT. I never looked back!
If you hadn’t pursued a legal career, what would you be doing?
I would probably be helping my father, Hassan “Rocky” Shanehsaz, run the family business. My dad is a serial entrepreneur and has run a number of different businesses since I was a young boy. He taught me the value of hard work and being bold enough to try something new and learn new skills. His businesses have always been diverse, from computer consulting and programming to real estate development, as well as running a wedding venue. I’ll never forget my surprise when I came home to find him watching “Say Yes to the Dress” while he was learning the wedding industry.
Who is someone who has inspired you in your career?
Stephanie Gumm is a now-retired practitioner who has inspired and motivated me in a number of ways. Stephanie has been a champion for me in my career, a mentor for me in my life (personal and professional), and a true friend. I try often but cannot thank her enough for regularly lending me her guidance and wisdom. She is retired, but I continue to call on her for advice.
What makes a good lawyer/judge?
Mentors you can rely on, good work ethic, a little compassion and an eye toward the outcome that results from use of common sense.
What is something you wish people knew about lawyers?
Most of us never go to court.
Tell us about a “lesson learned” moment you’ve had in your career.
There are no bonus points for “doing it by yourself.” In fact, your clients benefit the most if you grow a team to support them and allow everyone to fill a role that plays to their strengths. Perhaps most importantly, a team built on trust can teach you far more than you could learn on your own and allow you to grow as a practitioner beyond what you ever thought possible.
Tell us something surprising about you.
Because I have had a full beard since roughly my 2L year, almost nobody I have met throughout my entire legal career has actually seen my entire face. And if they have, they don’t remember it.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” A quote from Maya Angelou that was passed on to me by a mentor.
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