business issues are legal issues. Being able to cross
over comfortably is a wonderful gift.”
Since he graduated from law school, Smithe
jokes that he thinks in bullet points. “With a legal
training, my mind can break down complex
concepts into workable components,” he explains.
“My focus has always been on human resources and
employment law, and the business benefits in those
areas are obvious. But there are all kinds of subtle
legal issues inherent in all business activity; my
radar’s always out to see what might happen and
nip it in the bud.”
Smithe continues, “People say lawyers are
tough and one-sided, but the truth is that being
able to see both sides is a big benefit of legal
training. If you don’t see both sides, you’ll lose in
court. And our company hasn’t been in court since
I’ve become a lawyer.”
Berlin agrees that the ability to untangle
complicated challenges and attack them piecemeal
is a chief benefit of law education. “We acquired a
company full of problems, and my legal training
helped me handle them one bite at a time,” he
says. “What I’d learned about contractors and labor
law was immediately helpful. Appellate advocacy
helped me with public speaking, which I often do
with employees and outside groups.”
The always-heavy demands on law students
are themselves good practice for the often grueling
schedules of business, Berlin points out. “The
workload is tremendous in law school, and that
really honed my skills in prioritizing and planning to
get everything done,” he says.
“I was already an inquisitive thinker. In law
school, I became a critical thinker,” says Holsten.
After she graduated, Mayor Richard M. Daley asked
her to come back to work for the city. She joined the
Department of Planning and Development, where
her new legal skills were instantly put to use. “I was
overseeing city resources redeveloping the Near
West Side and South Loop. So I was negotiating
with developers, health care entities, families
whose homes were being acquired—all sorts of
stakeholders,” she explains. “I immediately thought,
‘I’m really using my law degree!’”
In her current position, Holsten says her law
degree helps her draw lines connecting different
areas of the organization—and troubleshoot. “I
wear the hat of general counsel because I touch so
many areas of the company,” she explains. “My law
education lets me provide initial advice and know
when to bring outside lawyers in.
“If I weren’t an attorney, I think our team would
walk into murky waters more often.”
Balancing profits with
philanthropy
True to Loyola’s Jesuit mission of knowledge
in the service of others, the alums profiled here are
active in philanthropic and volunteer initiatives
that show corporate leadership in serving the
less fortunate. Holsten’s job is itself devoted
to community service, while Walter E. Smithe
Furniture and Design is a regular cosponsor of the
Green Tie Ball, which benefits efforts to green and
beautify Chicago’s expressways, gateways, and
neighborhoods. Walter E. Smithe also donates
furniture to community members in need, churches,
and civic organizations, and regularly sponsors
community design seminars.
Berlin serves on the board of directors of the
Chicago chapter of the American Cancer Society and
the Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest, which
provides entertainment, education, and family
outings for seriously ill children and their families.
He chooses national causes, knowing that his own
participation may motivate and inspire his staff. “Our
employees are coast to coast, and if I’m active in a
charity, I want our staff to feel they can be active in
the same one if they choose,” he explains.
In 1997, Lansing spearheaded the formation of
Levy Cares, the charitable arm of Levy Restaurants
that has been nationally recognized for its
contributions, which include both financial gifts
and employee team volunteering projects.
“No matter how big we grow,” Lansing says, “we
want to remain grounded and centered and be a
company that cares.”
■
CHOOSING COMMERCE
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11)
“WE ACQUIRED A
COMPANY FULL OF
PROBLEMS, AND
MY LEGAL
TRAINING HELPEDME
HANDLE THEM
ONE BITE
AT A TIME.”
—A N D R E W B E R L I N ( J D ’ 8 5 )
Andrew Berlin, chair and
CEO of Berlin Packaging,
generously shared his extensive
business experience with
Loyola law students at a recent
dean’s luncheon.
»
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LOYOLA LAW
SPRING 2012
13
