Share

As with our previous peer spotlights, this series aims to highlight the accomplishments of everyday colleagues. We are everywhere, and our accomplishments are plentiful. Sometimes inspiration is as simple as shining a light to this fact. Today, let’s meet Rashad Morgan.

What is your occupation, full title and work week hours?
I am an associate attorney at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione. I typically work 50 to 60 hours a week.

How old are you? I am 27 years old.

Rashad Morgan

If you had to rank the following with regards to importance in your life, how would you (successful career, spiritual clarity, starting your own family, financially well-off)?
First and foremost, I would have to rank spiritual clarity as number one. As I have gotten older, I have realized the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. There are just so many things that happen that are not just by coincidence, and are truly through the grace of God. I have been blessed so far and I would like to grow closer to the Lord. Secondly, starting my own family. I have been married for two years now and it has been great. I relish the opportunity to pass down jewels of wisdom to my own children, just like my parents did for me. Third would be a successful career. With success, the money will come. But if you’re only working for the money, it is definitely more of a chore.

For those who are married: Why did you decide to get married at your age? What is the single most important aspect to consider when deciding to get married?
I decided to get married at my age because I truly believed I had found the person with whom I was meant to spend the rest of my life. I did not feel the need to continue to search when I had a person that believed in me, shared my goals (spiritual, financial, etc.), and ultimately made me a better person. The single most important aspect to consider when deciding to get married to me was finding someone that provides you with balance and support. Someone that supported me at all times and trust me. I believe that some people confuse a difference of opinion with a lack of support, but there is definitely a difference. You are not always going to agree. However, I believe it takes a special person to support someone, even in those times of difference. I believe that this quality goes hand-in-hand with love. If you are with someone, and you can’t be true to yourself or that person does not support you, getting married is not going to change that.

What is one piece of advice you constantly rely upon when making tough career decisions?
One significant piece of advice that I received that sticks with me is to not be afraid to take risks, and do not let someone else decide your destiny. This advice has guided me when making a decision on whether to accept a job as an engineer when I graduated college or to go to law school. Ultimately, I decided to go to law school. It wasn’t the safest choice. There was no guarantee that I would have a job waiting on me when I finished, but I was willing to take that risk and it worked out for me. But it is important to not always take the safest route. If you have goals, do not be afraid to take a risk to help you achieve those goals. Everything may not work out as you planned, but each experience is one from which you can learn.

For those who have been (or currently in) grad school: Why did you choose to go to graduate school?
I chose to go to law school mainly because I knew that I did not want to work as an engineer all of my life. While I admired the technology and science, I knew that it was a field that was not for me. I wanted more options, and I wanted to also be able to have more control over my career path. I felt that becoming an attorney specializing in intellectual property, I would have more opportunities. In addition, having a JD opens doors in other fields that may have been tougher to get into with just my Chemical Engineering degree. So ultimately, law school provided me with the most opportunity to utilize my skills.

What has been your greatest triumph since ‘coming into your own’?
Well, I would have to say my greatest triumph so far has been being a part of a winning trial team. I was given a great deal of responsibility as a first year associate, and my contributions were valuable and recognized. It was important for me to be a contributing member of the firm, and I believe that I made my mark.

Want to be interviewed for YBP Peer Spotlight? Simply contact us and we’ll hit you back.