On October 1, Mark Bettencourt, Goodwin’s former
Business Law Department Chair took over as the firm’s new Managing
Partner, replacing Robert Insolia, who had served as the Managing Partner since
2012 and who has now stepped into the Chairman role. We caught up with
Mark to find out more about his new role, and what the future holds for the
firm.
What inspired you to become a
lawyer?
The interesting story is not why I became a lawyer, but how I became a
corporate lawyer. Growing up, my mother had two uncles who were lawyers and each
had an outsized presence in my extended family. In some distant way, they were
professional role models. Both enjoyed professional success and one served as
the U.S. attorney for Rhode Island and later on the First Circuit Court of
Appeals.
Naturally, after my first year of law school, I ended up working on
interrogatory summaries while in a summer associate program at a firm here in
Boston. I remember sitting in an internal office at the end of a long hallway
with no air circulation and thinking this work was not for me. So, during my
summer associateship after my second year, I explored a corporate practice. I
immediately enjoyed it and was fascinated by the transactional world about which
up to that point I knew literally nothing. From that great feeling the entire
team experiences when closing a deal to the collaborative and interpersonal
nature of the work, I knew it was the perfect fit.
What makes Goodwin stand out?
It’s the people. We are a collection of very passionate, driven and
client-centric individuals who are as interesting as our amazing clients. The
zeal we bring to the practice and the business of law, our focus on our clients’
success, and our curiosity about our clients’ businesses make Goodwin a truly
unique firm.
What do you see as priorities or
opportunities for Goodwin in the coming years?
Our objective is to be among the select few premier
global law firms. We work towards it by empowering our clients to harness the
many opportunities that are being produced by the forces of technological
disruption. As the firm at the intersection of capital and innovation, we are
uniquely positioned to help our clients capitalize on this disruption. It is our
biggest priority.
What industries here in Boston is Goodwin focused on in
particular?
Boston is a prime example of a place where innovation and technological
disruption are causing many industries and investors to converge. We are seeing
tremendous opportunities in Boston across the fintech, proptech, medtech,
internet-of-things, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and robotics
sectors, to name just a few. Our work across these rapidly-evolving,
multi-disciplinary areas spans transactional execution, litigation and advisory
services.
How do you think Boston’s legal community has
changed in recent years?
The past several years have made it clear that Boston is no longer immune to
and separate from the forces of the global legal market. The city has attracted
the intense focus of many fine firms that have not been previously present in
Boston, and the competition for talent has become absolutely fierce. It is
undoubtedly the case that Boston is the global epicenter for life sciences
innovation and a leading center of other technological innovation. This level of
innovation makes Boston one of a few places where from a business perspective
you have to be in the 21st century and, as a result, a magnet for talented
people and smart investors from across the globe. Like its effect on the region
has a whole, innovation has transformed the Boston legal community.
What advice would you give to new lawyers?
I will share what I tell all of Goodwin’s new lawyers. Think of the beginning
of your legal career as akin to an apprenticeship. Work hard, lean in, keep your
eyes open and ears perked. Learn as much as you possibly can. The more attentive
you are, the more successful you will be.
What are your thoughts on the Boston Bar Association’s role in
Boston’s legal and business community?
The fast pace of the practice of law has made it more difficult to do the
things that make our profession feel cohesive. As former Co-Chair of the BBA’s
Business Law Section, I know firsthand how the Boston Bar Association reinforces
the commonality and the shared attributes that we have as members of the same
profession. It is a natural place for all of us and at all points in our careers
to come together and form a community.
When a client comes to Boston and they aren’t familiar with the city,
where do like to take them?
I hope they come between April and October, in which case I would take them
to Fenway Park. It is one of my favorite places on earth. Otherwise, everything
depends on how we are spending the time together. For a meal, it is likely the
North End. For an afternoon walk before getting on a redeye to Europe, it is a
walk in the Public Gardens or down Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay. Boston
is such a great city. There is no shortage of neighborhoods, restaurants or
experiences to share with our visitors.
Is there anything else we should know about
you?
I am a big history buff. As
such, it is particularly interesting to observe not only the effects of
technology and innovation on our society and business today, but to think of how
the rapid pace of innovation will affect us tomorrow. We are still in the early
innings of this period of profound transformation. I am thrilled about how well
Goodwin is positioned to help our current and future clients through the
opportunities this transformation promises.