Interview with Joseph Colagiovanni, Jr., Partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

BrownHEN interviewed Joseph Colagiovanni, Jr., Brown '78, Partner at  Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, St. Louis, MO.

1. Joe, what are the most important legal issues that entrepreneurs must be aware of?

I would focus on three issues. One, asset protection and liability. Many entrepreneurs are unaware of different ways to invest their capital and protect the balance of their assets. Two, intellectual property. There are different ways entrepreneurs can protect their ideas and also make sure that those ideas do not infringe on others’ intellectual property. Three, regulatory concerns. Entrepreneurs need to know about different multilayered regulatory concerns that exist at the local, state and federal levels.

2. How can an aspiring entrepreneur best get legal help? How can one such find a suitable attorney?

The first time an entrepreneur thought thinks of it, it’s already too late. Lawyers in today’s world are business consultants; the earlier entrepreneurs enlist their help, the better. The trick is to find a good attorney who is experienced and who fully understands your business—whether it’s construction, manufacturing or technology—and can interpret and apply the law to your company’s unique facts and circumstances.

3. Did you ever produce another play since your undergraduate days? Are you involved in the arts in other ways now?

Actually, it was a skit that Gary Simon and I produced. I studied philosophy and political science, and was a musician during college, but I haven’t written any music since I got married. (Laugh!) Our 14 year-old son is musically inclined and is also involved in theatre. So we support his artistic efforts as well as the St. Louis Art Museum and various art-related organizations.

4.  You have had much experience in the construction industry. Please comment on the state of infrastructure in the United States at present—is Minneapolis an exceptional case? What, if anything, needs to be done?

I have spent a lot of time looking at infrastructures, roads, bridges, and power plants. Many of these were built as large scale public projects during the FDR administration. These infrastructures are aging and breaking down, and there are signs that the problems are burgeoning. In other countries, many infrastructures were built with privatized money. In America, we will probably need to review different ways of financing repair and build future infrastructure projects.

5. You were an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri. Are you glad you had that experience? Why?

Yes, I am. At the time, I wanted to be a litigator and I got into the court room quickly and served as a lead trial lawyer. I learned more in my two years there than I did in two years in the private sector. The skills set that I acquired helped me later on in private practice: how to engage with my clients, how to learn and understand how their businesses operate and what they need, and how to develop legal expertise in their niches and help them.

6. Did you know you want to be in an attorney when you were at Brown?

I was interested in law and wanted to learn more about it. Fortunately, a family friend, Chief District Judge Raymond Pettine, suggested that I intern with his office. I spent the mornings and early afternoons of my entire senior year in the Chief District Judge’s office. I was exposed to many facets of the law and got very comfortable being around lawyers. I started out as a litigator, but now work as a transactional attorney who specializes in construction and development. I really enjoy helping my clients.

7. What about your expertise in construction?

Many people know in Rhode Island know about my dad’s family, which was involved in the wholesale food business. My mother’s side of the family was involved in the construction business, and I grew up around it. I understood design and construction. My first client in private practice was related to construction.

8. Does your family still live in Rhode Island?

My brothers still run my father’s wholesale food business, which is very different from 20 years. I return a couple of times a year for a visit.

9. What is the latest insight (about life, work, play) that you picked up and would like to share with BrownHEN?

As I watch my son transform from a child to a 14 year-old adolescent, I am reminded how fast life goes by. We can’t spend enough time with our family and friends, and what seems important at work is not that important, at the end of the day.

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