Christopher J. Marino was recently named Managing Partner of BBA Sponsor Firm Davis Malm. We caught up with Chris to learn more about his new role, his advice to new lawyers in Boston, and more. Check out the full interview below:
Boston Bar Association: What inspired you to become a lawyer, and specifically your interest in litigation?
Christopher J. Marino: Growing up, I played a lot of sports. I was – and still am – pretty competitive, and business litigation is a way to keep the competitive juices flowing. Being a litigator also allows you to satisfy your intellectual curiosity. We’ve had cases from oil well drilling to pharmaceutical manufacturing, so you become an expert in a variety of different fields, which allows you to constantly learn.
BBA: Do you have any particular highlights from your career that you’re especially proud of?
Chris: Success to me is being able to obtain the best results for our clients and find the best solutions given their circumstances. We’ve been fortunate to have accomplished this time and time again. I had a case earlier this year where we were able to get the other side to dismiss the case before it even went forward. The result in that case was just as important to that client as a $1 million, $10 million, $50 million trial for another client. Each client defines success differently, so I am lucky enough to say I’ve had a lot of successes that make me proud.
BBA: What areas of the firm will you focus on during your term as Managing Partner? What do you hope your “legacy” as MP will be?
Chris: A client-driven attitude is our focus. I think the lifeblood of a service organization is its people and its ability to continue to develop and produce good results for clients. We focus on adding value for our clients, so my focus will be on getting the right people at the firm, so we can continue to see the success that we’ve experienced for over 45 years. Making sure we have the right team in place will always be top of mind, because the work product is only as good as the people you hire.
I was on the Executive Committee for several years prior to being elected Managing Partner, so for me, the focus and goals are the same, but more falls on my plate. Thankfully, we have great Executive Committee members who are smart and dedicated, and we have a very collegial firm overall; one where everyone is rowing the boat in the same direction to ensure we accomplish our goals. These unified efforts make my job much easier.
BBA: How has Davis Malm’s partnership with the BBA benefited you and your firm, and how can we continue to ensure that partnership remains mutually beneficial?
Chris: We’ve been a member of the BBA for over 20 years, and, during that time, we’ve seen firsthand the value of the BBA’s efforts in the Greater Boston legal community. We have people every year who join the Walk to the Hill, so we have seen the effects of the advocacy that the BBA leads. We participate in the BBA’s programming and networking opportunities, which are great for both young and experienced lawyers in developing those connections. We have several attorneys that are engaged in the BBA through its various Committees, so we think it’s a tremendous relationship and one which offers a real advantage to us and allows us to integrate into the Boston legal community.
BBA: What advice do you have for newer lawyers, whether at your firm or more generally, and law students looking to break into the Boston legal community?
Chrisr: I previously oversaw the firm’s internship program and have served as a mentor as I’ve grown in my career, and one of the primary things I tell newer lawyers is to treat the partners or superiors who are giving you work as your client. Respond to them as you would your client. Establishing that mindset and practice early on will help you develop as an attorney and teach you the relationship skills you need to be successful in managing clients.
I would also say, always take advantage of networking opportunities. Your network is like a plant: You have to water it, you don’t know how long it will take to grow, but if you tend to it, it will flourish. Treat everyone with respect and try to “water all the plants” along the way. At some point, you will be standing in a field of blooming plants and surrounded by people who support you and want to see you succeed.
BBA: Could you talk a bit about the pro bono work you and other members of the firm take part in, and how Davis Malm facilitates its attorneys taking advantage of those kinds of opportunities?
Chris: We encourage all of our attorneys to engage in pro bono work in whatever way makes sense to them. We don’t have a formalized program where we tell our attorneys, “Ok, we’re all going to do XYZ.” An important part of pro bono work is finding causes and organizations that are aligned with what you believe in. Mandating that people participate in a particular pro bono effort does not work – at least long term. People need to find what works for them and what fulfills them, and we always encourage our team to do just that.
BBA: If you weren’t a lawyer, what occupation do you think you may have pursued instead?
Chris: I think I would have been an entrepreneur, probably in the design/build world: Construction, building and designing houses. I spent a lot of time in my younger days working at construction sites, and I could have seen myself forming my own business and going off in that path.
BBA: What are your favorite activities to do around Boston?
Chris: Every year, I try to take my kids to a Bruins game and a Celtics game. If you think of winter activities in Boston, you have to think of going to the Garden. The crowds there are just amazing. The energy is frenetic. The kids have always loved it; it’s an awesome place to be. We’re lucky in Boston to have such a rabid sports fandom and teams that are always competing and worth going to see.
BBA: Is there anything else about you or the firm you’d like to mention?
Chris: We are excited to be in the position where we’re growing. Over the past several years, we have grown by adding new attorneys to our existing practice areas, attracting attorneys in new areas and incorporated them into the services we provide, and elevating associates. We’ve added Intellectual Property, Immigration, Divorce & Family Law and, most recently, Insurance Regulatory practices. One of the most beneficial things about our firm is that we don’t confine ourselves to what we currently do well. Instead, we continue to change and adapt to meet the business environment. Adding new blood to the firm is exciting and brings about a renewed energy and focus. Being able to achieve growth in all these ways is a great, balanced mix and something we’re very proud of.
