March.07.2014
Mitch Zuklie talked with The Recorder about his first year as chairman and his work on the sale of Nest Labs to Google. An excerpt is included below.
It's been one year since Mitchell Zuklie took the reins at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe from longtime chairman Ralph Baxter Jr. So far, he's ushered the firm through closely watched (but ultimately dropped) merger talks with California neighbor Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, while maintaining a corporate practice focused on some of the Valley's hottest tech companies.
Q: What's been your highest priority since becoming chairman?
A: I've been focused on two priorities. The first is to refresh our long-term strategy and make sure we have consensus on it. We're focused on building on our practice strengths in three sectors: energy & infrastructure, finance and technology. And, we're continuing to grow our litigation and IP practice. My second priority has been to continue to strengthen our culture. Firms compete on culture, and our culture is an asset that we need to constantly pay attention to.
Q: You've continued to practice. Why?
A: It's what I love. I wake up in the morning excited to help entrepreneurs. There are differing views on this, but I believe that my practice helps me in my role as a firm leader—understanding the market and client expectations, understanding the opportunities and pressures our partners face.
Q: Most recently, you and your colleagues advised Nest Labs on its sale to Google. Any good stories from the deal talks?
A: The deal was high speed and high energy throughout the holidays¬—and we announced right after the New Year. Tony Fadell, Matt Rogers, Tom vonReichbauer, Chip Lutton and the rest of the Nest team never lost sight of their primary motivation: the belief that Nest's mission to change the world, one cool smart device at a time, would be accelerated on the Google platform.
Q: You're one of the few law firm chairmen that uses Twitter. Why do you think it's important?
A: Twitter is just another way of building community. I've had a lot of fun using Twitter to highlight results of our team and congratulating clients and friends on their achievements. I still get a kick every time someone retweets me or a responds to a tweet.
Q: Your Twitter profile identifies you as a "novice boxer." Explain.
A: I started boxing about two years ago. I try to train at least once a week and drill once a week. While it's very humbling, I enjoy it.