Todd Glassman
General Counsel
2U, Inc.
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
As the son of a successful lawyer and powerful father figure, was predisposed to a legal career.
Very much enjoyed a business law course in college with a great professor.
Was always interested in business but chose what I thought to be a "safer" route through law school.
Found traditional law firm job while still in law school that paid well.
Maintained strong personal relationships that enabled me to develop my own interesting practice.
Focused on work that I enjoyed & built my practice with clients about which I was passionate.
Built deep relationships with fewer clients.
Was hired away from private practice by largest client into my dream job.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
General Counsel
I oversee legal and compliance for an education tech company.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Law
Writing
Problem Solving
Day to Day
I prioritize what's on my ever-evolving to-do list to see if there are any emergencies requiring immediate attention, what tasks are urgent / highly important, what's been in my queue for too long, and what departments need my attention (including my own). When possible, I block time for drafting and for meeting with different members of my team. I always try to determine what the most important business need is at that moment and focus on that task.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Develop an understanding of what it REALLY means to be a lawyer. Too many people enter into the field without understanding what lawyers really do, or the many fields within the practice of law. Too may aspiring attorneys have told me that they want to be a lawyer because they "like to argue". The most successful lawyers in most areas of practice gain that success with minimal arguing -- advocating perhaps, but not arguing.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You should go to law school because it's safe, you'll "always have it" and "you can do anything with a legal degree.""
