Q&A with Tom Walsh Jr.
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Q&A
Q&A with Tom Walsh Jr.
A principal with Brody Wilkinson, P.C., in Southport, Connecticut, Tom Walsh is a member of the firm’s Business and Real Estate Groups. His practice is focused primarily in the areas of general corporate matters, commercial transactions and financing and commercial real estate. He counsels clients – from entrepreneurial start-up enterprises to larger privately held companies – through each phase of their growth serving as primary outside counsel.
An honors graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he also earned his law degree in 1986, Tom is active in a wide variety of civic endeavors and served as town attorney for the Town of Fairfield early in his career. He is active in the American Bar Association Business Law Section and serves as its Budget Officer. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Academy of Bridgeport which operates the four Catholic elementary school campuses in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Q: Before becoming an attorney, what was your first job?
A: I went right from college to law school. Probably my most practically valuable summer job prior to law school was working at Macy’s selling women’s shoes. I was taught that the customer was always right and that once you lost a customer, they were gone forever.
Q: What motivated you to pursue a legal career?
A: I was always a big reader growing up and had a strong desire to understand how things really work and especially in the areas of politics and finance. I have also always had a strong sense of wanting to be sure that all people were treated fairly. I find that the practice of law satisfies all these interests.
Tom and a friend on a bike ride to Corcomroe Abbey in County Clare, Ireland.
Q: Who was your chief mentor and how did he or she influence your career?
A: Bruce Dillingham. As a corporate lawyer, he represented some of the biggest companies in our community, had a good sense of humor that disarmed adversaries, and always strove to be a problem-solving dealmaker.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A: From my father, who commuted to New York City for much of his corporate executive career, he said that he was happiest during the 15 or so years that he worked locally and was able to spend more time with family and be more active in the local community.
Q: What is one thing you would like to learn to do?
A: I am a big music fan and would like to learn how to sing (better than I can now!).
A food tour in New York City’s Greenwich Village was a special treat enjoyed by Cathy and Tom Walsh and their two children, Chris and Claire.
Tom Walsh
Q: What is your proudest career achievement?
A: I have had the chance to see several clients through a successful business sale that resulted in generational family wealth.
Q: What other career path might you have chosen?
A: Either journalism or finance. Journalism seemed like a tough way to make a living, but I was intrigued enough by finance to interview to be a Salomon Brothers bond trader after my first year in law school.
Q: What is your happiest childhood memory?
A: Playing backyard sports with my friends and family.
Q: What is your favorite movie and book?
A: “The Godfather” series of movies and any book by Michael Lewis.
Q: What is the most awe-inspiring place you have visited?
A: Mont St Michel in France.
Q: What are your favorite leisure time pursuits?
A: Spending time with my family and playing tennis, golf or any other sport.
Tom and his wife Cathy on a scenic walk.
Q: What is your favorite famous or inspirational quote?
A: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”
Q: Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party?
A: My wife Cathy, of course; Barack Obama (a fan of indie music like myself); David Brooks; Joe Scarborough; and Tina Fey.
Q: What are the top three items on your bucket list?
A: Biking through Italy, going on an African Safari, and visiting Asia.