Recently, Noah Ornstein joined our team as CEO, a position that we, as a fast-growing, fast-moving firm, saw as integral to scaling our success and to edifying the work we do on behalf of all of our clients.We spent some time with him discussing his background, some of his personal goals and achievements, what makes him tick, and why we think he may be one of the best things to happen to Jayaram Law.
JL
Noah, we feel like we know so much about you (already!), but let’s start from the top for everyone else. Tell us a bit about yourself: where are you from, what led you into practicing law and business, and where have you been spending your time throughout your career
NO
Well, I’m originally from Montreal. I grew up mostly in Toronto (we say it Trono!). I came to the U.S. for school, met a girl who’s now my wife, best friend, advisor, critic… and that was that.
As for the law, I’d already been an investment banker and startup founder by the time I came around to it. I picked up a law degree alongside an MBA, and never planned on using the law degree. (That’s a story for another time.) But then the financial crisis in 2008 hit, opening up opportunities to turn around big complex companies… even industries.
Building and reimagining companies is absolutely what I wanted to do. My wife strongly encouraged me to do something more stable for a while as we were about to have our first son and, well, Financial Crisis! One of the premier shops in the field, Kirkland & Ellis, gave me the chance to restructure companies and I thank them for letting me cut my chops there.
Since then, I’ve been a senior executive in companies large (multi-billions) and small (count-on-two-hands-millions), a company founder, venture investor, board member and special advisor. In each case, what drove me was an opportunity to create something special. I see so much potential in Jayaram Law and am thrilled to be part of building such a dynamic workplace.
JL
Do you have a favorite city you’ve worked or lived in?
NO
That’s tough. I love immersing myself in a new place. I love new experiences: sounds, sites, smells, tastes. And I’ve been lucky enough to work or live in lots of inspiring places like Montreal, Toronto, New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Copenhagen. Still, wherever my family is, that’s my happy place. So for now, it’s just north of Chicago!
JL
You’ve worked in so many capacities over the course of your career, is there a secret sauce to how you approach working with companies and individuals who can be wildly different, but perhaps adjacent and parallel in similar ways?
NO
For sure. I fundamentally believe that there’s a periodic table of actions that underpins all business activity, including human interactions. (LOL, I’m still mastering the theory, mind you.) So, when I’m thinking through a problem and solution—very often staring out into space—I’m visualizing the elements of that periodic table. I’m organizing and reorganizing the elements, combining and decoupling them. Then I build.
JL
Did you find anything challenging about moving from one field to another? Any culture-shock or lack thereof?
NO
Not particularly, no. But moving from organization to organization, particularly in cases where the organization faces distress or has grown too quickly, is not for the faint of heart. Each has its own personality and rhythm, made of many (often not) harmonizing voices. It’s taken many successes and failures, with a ton of scar tissue, to develop the emotional intelligence to do what I do.
JL
What has been your favorite professional accomplishment to date?
NO
I’ve always found this question tough. I weigh creating an exceptional experience for diners as a waiter in my teens as much as I do helping lead historic restructuring transactions, like the turnaround of the City of Detroit. I know that sounds preposterous, but each accomplishment was about creation, achieving things that others couldn’t, as well as growth. I’ve learned something valuable personally and professionally from each.
Now, that said, more recently I co-founded a toy company to create a toy system designed for any child to get lost in play (lose themselves in wonder and pure engagement), no matter their gender, ethnicity, or development disposition. As the company grows, it will expand its work on behalf of children in difficult circumstances broadly. This is the professional accomplishment most special to me.
JL
What about your favorite personal accomplishment?
NO
Easy, absolutely everything to do with my children. The experiences we give them, the love in my home. There is other stuff I’ve done… some of which—not going to lie—is pretty cool and unique… but just doesn’t quite compare.
JL
What drew you to Jayaram Law? We know we love the culture we’ve created for ourselves here, but is there anything you can put your finger on that really sold you on our firm in particular?
NO
So. Many. Things!
I studied art history for years, exhibited art, always wished that I played an instrument (I know, there’s still time!), and am totally obsessed with storytellers. I’m an inventor, technologist, and serial entrepreneur; and I started my work life as a healthcare investment banker thinking I could pay off student debt and help save the world! (Yeah, a bit misguided.) So, Jayaram Law’s deep expertise in avant garde areas of the law around the arts, technology, venture and healthcare… I mean, could it be a more perfect fit?
More than that, it’s the firm’s focus on wellness and being human. It’s how the firm has brought together wonderful, talented people from all walks of life to share in this adventure together. It’s the opportunity to be part of something great; to truly enable original ideas, and change how law firms and lawyers work, market and connect emotionally and technologically with creators.
JL
What’s the best advice you remember receiving from your mentors throughout the years?
NO
Honestly, I’ve never truly had a mentor in business. I mean, I’ve definitely worked with incredibly talented and caring people, but I’ve never had anyone that invested emotionally in me with the time and intention of specifically elevating me personally and professionally. (I guess I’ve largely been in environments that are, um, more eat or be eaten.) So that’s a big deal for me in developing my teams. But the best advice from my imaginary mentor is to laser focus on doing your absolute best at what you like and better the lives of others while you do it. Everything else will follow.
JL
Following up to that: what’s the best piece of advice you’d give to younger lawyers or lawyers who find themselves in transitional areas, or pivots, as you found yourself at one time?
NO
I think that a lot of young lawyers have an idealized view of practicing law, and little view on the business of delivering legal services and opportunities for lawyers outside of traditional practice (other than, generically, in-house counsel). I think law schools, mainstream media etc. broadly do a terrible job of introducing students and young lawyers to the realities of delivering legal services or to the vast array of non-law firm service providers, technologies and other things comprising the legal industry ecosystem. And, hey, just because one has a law degree does not mean that they are fated only ever to participate in the legal industry. Though, yes, it may mean taking a step back in compensation or title to take on a different—but happier!—role.
The best advice I can give is perhaps to be really honest with yourself about the things you do well and like, and dedicate (force yourself to dedicate) the time to explore what actually is out there. This is definitely much easier said than done! Ask friends and colleagues who are in-the-know and under-the-tent lots of questions! Be real. Don’t doubt or invalidate that feeling in your gut that something isn’t right, telling you that you need a change. Of course, life (family, financial responsibilities, unexpected twists, etc.) get in the way or, rather, become part of the way. Expect as much. So take the time you need to take on your emotional, financial and other affairs. But always act!
JL
We’re big into self-exploration, pursuing hobbies, and edification in general as we feel it only helps us better serve our clients. What are your sources of joy, relaxation, contemplation or just times of letting go?
NO
The list goes on and on but it always starts with my kids’ happiness. In a close second, I would say it’s thinking about how to create things—any things, really. I literally used to keep a notebook of solutions to problems or challenges, or how something might be designed better. Figure out what makes things tick and why, and how to make it do more or better, you know?
I’ve been into playing sports (not so much watching) and the outdoors my whole life. I greatly enjoy boxing, among other physical activities, but a sporting life eventually takes its toll on the body and as I get older, the “old sport injury” list gets longer unfortunately!
A quick story for you. So, I don’t nap. It’s just not in me. Very clearly though, I remember in my early twenties visiting my sister at Cambridge in England where she was doing a PhD. It was a beautiful, magical town (especially enjoyable for me, being a reader of fantasy given the town’s rich history). Her room had a window high on the wall that was open and an amazing warm sun was just pouring through. I could faintly hear people playing in the paddock providing a perfect white noise. A soft lilt of the Braveheart soundtrack played in the background. A soft breeze hitting my face. And let me tell you, I napped—like a majestic nap—for the ages. So while I still rarely find it in me for a true nap, I have moments like this that I look back on, can meditate on and take myself somewhere else if only for a few moments.
JL
What is something that would surprise people about you?
NO
These are probably some items that might raise an eyebrow or two: romantic comedies and high tea. Wild, right? A funny story is that I was once almost fired at like 19 by a Vice Chairman of a global mega-company for wearing yellow tennis shoes. No joke, “Noah, come in here. We love you Noah, but if you ever wear those yellow shoes again…”. Fired—for shoes.
JL
Last question: Window or aisle seat?
NO
Hmmm… What does it say about me if I answer one way versus another?! The answer is either, just NOT THE MIDDLE.
JL
Thank you so much for your time, Noah. We’re so proud to call you our new CEO and look forward to developing the firm and our ties with you as we work closely together. Here we go!