Inspire Award Nomination for *Joe
Accounting, Legal & Finance Category
I am an associate attorney at Wagner Reese, LLP and work for Joe. He has been a great mentor and friend to me over the last several years. I first met Joe while I was working at another law firm preparing to open my own practice. After opening my own practice, he would go out of his way to get together with me to offer me advice, both personally and professionally. After practicing on my own for almost a year, I had the wonderful opportunity of joining Wagner Reese, LLP in 2014, and since day one, Joe has mentored me, both as a boss and friend.
Joe always looks out for opportunities to help me advance my career (e.g., referencing speaking engagements that I could get involved in, community events that I could participate in, groups that I could join, and people I should meet and network with). Joe has regularly invited me to meet with him, during work and after work, to discuss, not only work, but also other areas of my life-and more important areas, like family and God. He has greatly encouraged me to strive to be, not only the best lawyer that I can be, but the best person that I can be. As a father of four under four, Joe has given me great advice about how to approach work-life balances and how to be a good husband, father, lawyer, and most importantly, follower of Christ.
I have sincerely never had a mentor as invested in me and my life as Joe has been. I count my blessings in that regard near every day. Countless hours he has spent meeting with me discussing his life journey, both as a lawyer, husband and father, including areas where he feels he has fallen short and areas where he has succeeded. As a mentor, he never talks down to me and always makes our interaction very collegiate. He always shows an interest for me both professionally and personally, and I know I will not be able to repay him what he has given me. However, in line with his service and mentorship, I hope that one day I might be able to mentor someone.
Perhaps more impactful than the advice he has given me, has been the example he has shown in his work and life. He is a wonderful husband and father of three children. Just last week he went on an 8-day mission trip to Rwanda, Africa to help lawyers, judges and other government officials fight corruption and bring communities together by resolving conflict.Joeis one of the best-if not the best-lawyer I have ever worked with, and it is a pleasure day-in and day-out to learn from him. My practice has been greatly improved by watching and working with Joe.
Without reservation I nominate Joe for the 2017 Inspire Awards.
*Name has been changed