Debevoise Partner: Here's What Law School DOESN'T Teach You

Eddie Rishty is a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, where he represents some of the world’s most prominent real estate investors-including JP Morgan Asset Management, Carlyle, and one of the highest-net-worth individuals on the planet. In this episode, Eddie breaks down exactly what he looks for when hiring lawyers, the traits that separate good attorneys from great ones, and how to build a lasting career grounded in work ethic, character, and trust. __________ Check out Erwin Dweck on Momentum: https://youtu.be/tY3mqpt5v1M?si=ykqXoseaPaLI80ig __________ SPONSORS: • Advanced Solar Solutions: go solar before December 31 to qualify for federal solar incentives! 347-455-8430 or [https://advancedsolarny.com](https://advancedsolarny.com/) • Jeff Sitt: book your free 30-minute strategy call today: https://jeffsitt.com • Midwood Wine: our community’s premiere wine shop @ 1433 Coney Island Avenue. WhatsApp (718) 338-7054 __________ ABOUT MOMENTUM: 🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success. Be sure to subscribe on all platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMomentumPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jOPoArXfY3OU5uv4BpA3h?si=0311640b82154d1b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momentum/id1762657981 Instagram: http://instagram.com/momentumpodcast_ __________ GEAR (please use my affiliate links to make me rich!) • Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o • Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv • Clip-on Mics: https://amzn.to/3H52iwo • Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL • Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up • Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI __________ (00:00) Coming up… (03:14) Who is Eddie Rishty? (04:10) Pre-college days (05:56) Lessons From Eddie’s Father (07:38) Considering law as a young man (08:51) What is a “strong work ethic”? (10:30) “You have to be all in” (11:28) Getting waitlisted from Princeton (his dream school) (12:15) Going to NYU Stern (14:08) Ad - Advanced Solar Solutions (15:18) What was the path you wanted to take? (16:39) Eddie’s father passing away when he was a college sophomore (18:28) The revelation that Eddie didn’t want to pursue finance (20:00) Going into the billboard business (22:40) Being a professional vs an entrepreneur (23:36) Waitlisted at targeted law schools (25:34) Transferring to NYU Law (28:35) Recruiting for big law (29:30) Jobs during the summer of college (31:15) How to stand out while recruiting for big law/finance/accounting (34:15) Choosing Debevoise & Plimpton (38:50) Plans for after law school (40:43) 2008 Global Financial Crisis (41:42) Becoming a partner at Debevoise (42:17) Ad - Jeff Sitt (43:16) Were you close to getting fired? (45:05) Sitting outside Jimmy Cayne’s office, watching Bear Stearns collapse in 2008 (47:36) The traits separating the good lawyers from the elite (48:54) Observing Shabbat in a 24/7 industry (52:53) Living down the block from the office (55:55) How large is Debevoise? (58:19) Have you gotten too comfortable? (01:01:58) Representing JP Morgan Asset Management (01:04:29) The skills to represent the best of the best (01:06:06) Representing one of the richest people in the world (01:07:41) The making of a successful big-law interview (01:09:50) Must-have skills to succeed in big-law (01:12:18) 2 candidates: which would you hire? (01:18:31) Becoming the president of a nonprofit (01:19:22) Why take on such a big role in community service? (01:20:40) What is my legacy going to be? (01:23:33) Ad - Midwood Wine Merchants (01:24:28) Too busy for community service? (01:26:29) Community service through education and sports (01:28:00) Teaching at Cardozo Law School (01:29:28) Al’s role in law (01:30:46) Momentum Moment (01:34:32) What’s next after becoming a partner? (01:35:32) Outro: 3 key takeaways