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BIOGRAPHY
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney at Diamond & LeSueur in McHenry
Current residence: Lake Zurich
Hometown: McHenry
Family: Wife Amanda
Education: Bachelor's degree in integrated studies from Weber State University; a law degree from Northern Illinois University
What was your first job? My first job during high school was a culinary engineer specializing in the toasting of various bread products, also known as the short order toast boy at Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry.
Favorite non-work related hobby? Performing in community musical theater productions.
Favorite book? "Dune" by Frank Herbert
What's one word that best describes you? Energetic!
PROFILE QUESTIONS
1. What is your job and how have you found success with it?
I am a municipal, real estate and bankruptcy attorney. I found my greatest success as an attorney by always striving to find the path of least resistance that makes the most sense for my clients. One of the greatest challenges of being an attorney is taking a large and complicated legal problem and finding a simple solution. This requires a delicate balance of active listening, careful advising and sometimes even humor. It sounds cliché, but it is really how my practice has developed.
2. How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?
When I graduated from law school, my father, Samuel Diamond, offered me the opportunity to work with him at the family law firm in McHenry. I accepted the opportunity but vowed to do everything I could to build my own part of the firm based on my own accomplishments and achievements. In the recent past, when the real estate market drastically changed, I expanded my practice to include short sales and bankruptcy work. This innovation allowed me to help many struggling homeowners understand their options and navigate their way through a deep housing recession. Assisting these clients inspired me to love the challenge of the law, as well as the feeling you get when you truly help someone through one of life’s challenges. It is this feeling and inspiration that pushes me to continue with my work.
3. What's a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why?
I recently helped the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce form a non-profit foundation to help struggling businesses in the McHenry Area. While McHenry is well on the road to recovery from the recent economic recession, I noticed that some great local businesses needed a little additional help to get back on their feet. I volunteered to be on the formation committee of this foundation, as well as a director because I wanted to create a vehicle for the McHenry business community and public to come together and help some of those struggling businesses.
4. How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?
I serve the local community through being a volunteer director and vice chairman of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the education committee of the Heartland Realtor Organization. I also teach free seminars for the community about homeowner options in a distressed real estate market. This volunteerism is driven by my love for the community and my passion for helping others.
5. What is the best career advice you have received?
When I was a law student, determined to save the world, I asked one of my professors how I could truly help the community as an attorney. The professor didn’t miss a beat and said, “Just be a good lawyer. We don’t have enough of them.” Although the comment made me laugh, I have seen great wisdom in these words. Doing a good job for a client creates a ripple effect in both their life and the community. I have found that striving to understand this responsibility is the key to developing a strong law practice.
6. Do you consider yourself one of the county's Best Under 40? Why or why not?
While I am honored to be nominated as one of the Best Under 40, I realize that there are many other amazing individuals helping the community and much more work to be done. I have a hard time considering myself one of the best when I am often inspired by the amazing work of others.
BIOGRAPHY
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney at Diamond & LeSueur in McHenry
Current residence: Lake Zurich
Hometown: McHenry
Family: Wife Amanda
Education: Bachelor's degree in integrated studies from Weber State University; a law degree from Northern Illinois University
What was your first job? My first job during high school was a culinary engineer specializing in the toasting of various bread products, also known as the short order toast boy at Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry.
Favorite non-work related hobby? Performing in community musical theater productions.
Favorite book? "Dune" by Frank Herbert
What's one word that best describes you? Energetic!
PROFILE QUESTIONS
1. What is your job and how have you found success with it?
I am a municipal, real estate and bankruptcy attorney. I found my greatest success as an attorney by always striving to find the path of least resistance that makes the most sense for my clients. One of the greatest challenges of being an attorney is taking a large and complicated legal problem and finding a simple solution. This requires a delicate balance of active listening, careful advising and sometimes even humor. It sounds cliché, but it is really how my practice has developed.
2. How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?
When I graduated from law school, my father, Samuel Diamond, offered me the opportunity to work with him at the family law firm in McHenry. I accepted the opportunity but vowed to do everything I could to build my own part of the firm based on my own accomplishments and achievements. In the recent past, when the real estate market drastically changed, I expanded my practice to include short sales and bankruptcy work. This innovation allowed me to help many struggling homeowners understand their options and navigate their way through a deep housing recession. Assisting these clients inspired me to love the challenge of the law, as well as the feeling you get when you truly help someone through one of life’s challenges. It is this feeling and inspiration that pushes me to continue with my work.
3. What's a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why?
I recently helped the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce form a non-profit foundation to help struggling businesses in the McHenry Area. While McHenry is well on the road to recovery from the recent economic recession, I noticed that some great local businesses needed a little additional help to get back on their feet. I volunteered to be on the formation committee of this foundation, as well as a director because I wanted to create a vehicle for the McHenry business community and public to come together and help some of those struggling businesses.
4. How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?
I serve the local community through being a volunteer director and vice chairman of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the education committee of the Heartland Realtor Organization. I also teach free seminars for the community about homeowner options in a distressed real estate market. This volunteerism is driven by my love for the community and my passion for helping others.
5. What is the best career advice you have received?
When I was a law student, determined to save the world, I asked one of my professors how I could truly help the community as an attorney. The professor didn’t miss a beat and said, “Just be a good lawyer. We don’t have enough of them.” Although the comment made me laugh, I have seen great wisdom in these words. Doing a good job for a client creates a ripple effect in both their life and the community. I have found that striving to understand this responsibility is the key to developing a strong law practice.
6. Do you consider yourself one of the county's Best Under 40? Why or why not?
While I am honored to be nominated as one of the Best Under 40, I realize that there are many other amazing individuals helping the community and much more work to be done. I have a hard time considering myself one of the best when I am often inspired by the amazing work of others.