In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Shamoil Shipchandler discusses the traits he seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with him and more.
Texas Lawbook: Have you had any life impacting events that impacted you as a person or your career?
Shamoil Shipchandler: I have had life-impacting people throughout my career. Judge Roger B. Andewelt, the federal judge for whom I clerked, was (and is) an inspiration for a well-lived life despite his too-early passing. Matt Orwig, Andy Williams and Arnold Spencer from the U.S. attorney’s office, who taught me everything I know about being a federal prosecutor. Andrew Ceresney, David Peavler, Eric Werner and Jessica Magee from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, whose leadership ability and legal acumen are unmatched. David Woodcock and Hilda Galvan from private practice, who combine extraordinary technical skills with judgment, credibility and humanity, and whom you can trust for mentorship any time and any place. I have never been qualified for a job I’ve held. But I have been more fortunate than anyone to have these kinds of folks there to teach and guide me.
Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Shipchandler: Brilliance is table stakes — in other words, all the outside counsel that work on our matters are intellectually awesome. Setting that aside, what I’m looking for is counsel that makes problems smaller, decisions easier and outcomes more predictable. That’s going to involve a combination of business-first judgment, clear and decisive advice and strategic thinking.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about working with you?
Shipchandler: I am fiercely protective of my team, and I expect outside counsel to put each of my folks in a position to succeed. It is easy to approach a problem like a mercenary, e.g., see problem, fix problem. It is much more challenging to approach the problem like a strategic advisor, e.g., how does this problem fit within the complicated mosaic that is Schwab.
Lawbook: What are your pet peeves with outside counsel?
Shipchandler: Lack of decisiveness and lapses in communication stand out to me as particularly problematic.
Lawbook: Are you involved in any pro bono or public service efforts that you would like us to highlight?
Shipchandler: I am very passionate about teaching at SMU’s Dedman School of Law. (I recognize that this is very lightly public service!) I primarily teach white-collar crime and related classes, and spending time with the students is an absolutely joy. I often have family members, friends and colleagues join as well. I endeavor to make my classes accessible, fun and interactive — we may go from creating a conspiracy one day to sentencing a group of individuals the next. I am ever grateful for the opportunity to be an adjunct professor.
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Shamoil Shipchandler.