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Texas Lawbook: What have been your biggest challenges during your nearly five years at Match?
Jared Sine: There are so many challenges that we tackle every day at Match Group, it’s hard to isolate on just one. The reality is, the biggest challenge is just staying up with the growth all around me. We’re growing in terms of users, subscribers, geographies, brands, team, shareholder base and so much more. When you combine that with the seismic shifts that are taking place in the regulatory authorities across the globe that are redefining how technology companies are regulated, it definitely keeps my team running.
Texas Lawbook: How did Covid impact Match and the legal department’s response to the pandemic?
Jared Sine: Fortunately, we were already pretty well set up for remote work, and given our business model (as a B2C provider of online services), we didn’t skip much of a beat.
For the legal team, I actually believe we’ve grown closer together from the pandemic in many respects. Of course, we have not been able to be in person, but that has forced us to find creative ways to connect. We have a monthly Zoom activity with the department across the globe, where we provide Uber Eats credits for meals – so we can all virtually break bread together. I still have my regular 1:1s with my direct reports and all members of the team, only since everyone is on Zoom, I see folks in their homes and with their families. You see kiddos and pets popping in on the screen from time to time, helping constantly remind you of what matters most – family. Because of the pandemic, you take a step back and ask more questions about how people are really doing and how you can help.
Texas Lawbook: What are the most important factors for you in choosing outside counsel?
Jared Sine: It’s all about the people. I never choose outside counsel just because they are from a certain firm. I want to know that the individual lawyers are the best out there for what we need.
Texas Lawbook: How important is diversity in your selection of outside counsel?
Jared Sine: Diversity is critically important in all we do, and outside counsel is no exception. Our apps are designed for people of all backgrounds, and it’s important that the company and teams we work with reflect that.
Texas Lawbook: How important is pro bono or public service when hiring outside counsel?
Jared Sine: We want firms that share our ethos of doing the right thing; so very important.
Texas Lawbook: What are your pet peeves about outside counsel?
Jared Sine: When outside counsel forgets that we’re lawyers too. We know our way around legal issues and it’s important that they we have a two-way street of dialogue around the issues. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t debate things and that counsel should just roll over when we say something. In fact, we want a healthy debate. But ultimately the risk lies with us.
Texas Lawbook: What is something people need to know about Jared Sine?
Jared Sine: That I’m a family man at heart and that I’m a faithful follower of Christ as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those two elements of my life mean more to me than anything else, and they truly permeate everything I do, how I act and how I respond to challenges. I am who I am because of family and faith.