ILN-terviews: Peter Altieri, Epstein, Becker & Green

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our second interview, we chose the ILN's new Chairman, Peter Altieri, of Epstein Becker & Green. Peter is a member of the firm's litigation and labor and employment practices, representing clients in a myriad of services. The ILN is very excited to welcome him as our new Chairman and Peter's active participation in the Network over the past eighteen years, most recently as a member of the Board of Directors, has made him uniquely qualified for the role.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?

Commercial litigation and employment law practice.

Who would be your typical client?

Any firm with significant human capital and sophisticated commercial litigation issues.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?

I have the ability to quickly understand their business and cost-effectively advise and advocate on their behalf.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?

Representing an insurance company in a denial of benefits case to a dying woman seeking experimental cancer treatment coverage. Facing her family in court was very difficult.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?

No single moment. My career has fortunately been filled with many accomplishments.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?

Family and sports activities fill my limited spare time.

What would surprise people most about you?

If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise. I like to keep people guessing!

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?

There have been so many over the 18 years I have been involved. Arriving in La Paz, Bolivia and the Gala Dinner at the Presidential Palace in Prague are certainly among them.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?

Engineer. It would have been wonderful to try to follow in my father's footsteps and work with him in his highly successful practice.

If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you?

Kevin Spacey. Talented and somewhat looks the part.

How would you like to be remembered?

As well liked by many. Fortunately, the final chapter of the book hasn't been written yet.

ILN-terviews: Lowell Lifschultz, Epstein Becker & Green

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

Our first interview subject was an easy choice - Lowell Lifschultz is the head of the Corporate & Securities department at Epstein, Becker & Green. Twenty-one years ago, he founded the International Lawyers Network, and has since served as its Chairman before recently stepping down at the 2009 Annual Meeting in San Francisco. As Chairman and Founder, Lowell is the backbone and lifeblood of the organization and has molded it to become not only a distinguished group of professionals, but also a close-knit group that feels more like a family.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
It's a corporate business practice.

Who would be your typical client?

There is no typical client, but mostly middle market companies, venture capital firms, or a small public company.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That we will always first work to understand the business problem we need to get resolved. And be able to translate the resolution to that problem back to the client.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
It's my job to focus on my clients' interests and understand what the other party is trying to accomplish. The most difficult situation arises when the lawyers and/or person across the table doesn't understand what's in their own best interest.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Whenever we have successfully represented any company that performs a public good.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?
Have fun with children and grandchildren, sports, reading, other businesses, and certainly spending time with my wife of 41 years.

What would surprise people most about you?
My wife would say that I'm not quite as easygoing as I sometimes appear.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
There is no single event - it is the relationships and friendships built up over twenty years of contact; family and friends, all knowing each other from different backgrounds, different continents, and different places.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?
If I had the talent, professional basketball.

If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you?
Who else but Gregory Peck?

How would you like to be remembered?
For a long time.