University of Houston Law Center alumnus Barrett Schitka (UHLC J.D. ’15; UofC J.D. ‘14) was the first student to enter the International Energy Lawyers Program, a dual-degree program, sponsored by the University of Calgary Faculty of Law and UHLC.
While at UH Law Center, Schitka learned many of the necessary skills to propel him forward in his legal career, starting in a new role last year as counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York.
Name: Barrett SchitkaHometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
J.D. Received: 2015
Role: Counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LL
What led you to pursue a legal education at UHLC?
I was the first student in the International Energy Lawyers Program, a dual-degree program, so I actually started law school as a student at the University of Calgary. When the schools launched their partnership, I applied to the program, and the University of Calgary Faculty of Law asked if I could come down to pilot the program. So, I packed my bags and headed for Texas in 2012, and the rest is history.
What were some of your favorite professors and memories here?
Hands-down one of my favorite professors was Professor Jacqueline Weaver — she was just a wealth of knowledge in all things oil, gas, and energy. She was a big mentor for me in the early part of my career. Another professor that I enjoyed learning from was Professor Robert Ragazzo. He literally wrote the book on business organizations and his practical experience on Wall Street really came through in his classes. Frankly, it is very helpful in my career now as a private equity lawyer.
How did being counsel in Weil’s Private Equity practice help you advance in your career?
Counsel is the step before partner at Weil. At many other firms, it would be the equivalent of a very senior associate. What that means is that I’m essentially the day-to-day “deal runner” for the transactions that I work on — which means that it’s my responsibility to shepherd the transaction from its infancy all the way through to closing. The work I do touches all parts of the transaction, including transaction documents, collaborating with a full team of associates and specialists, and work hand in hand with the partner(s) to make sure the deal execution aligns with the timeline and overall strategy that was built in consultation with the partners and the client. One of the main things I have enjoyed about Weil’s Private Equity practice, and one of the chief reasons for joining the team here has been my ability to work on and expand the type of transactions that I do. Historically, my practice has consisted largely of mergers and acquisitions/leveraged buyout work for large cap and middle market private equity sponsors. At Weil, I have had the opportunity to work with many more sponsors and many more different types of funds (e.g., growth funds) and work on many different types of transactions such as complex carve-outs and take private transactions.
In what other ways did a J.D. help you in your career?
One of big things that I think my UHLC education helped set the groundwork for was to learn to think critically and to communicate effectively with other attorneys and clients. As part of learning to communicate in that way, one learns how to solve problems in a very organized and logical fashion – that ultimately makes you a better deal lawyer.
What is one valuable lesson you learned at UHLC?
I would say that one of the most valuable lesson’s I learned at UHLC was “point first.” People absorb information and understand things best when you tell them what they need to know right up front and then you tell them the supporting information. Learning to express and get your point out first, especially in written communication, is something I learned at UHLC and has been very helpful throughout the rest of my career.
What advice would you give to law students who are unsure of their next steps?
In terms of the next steps, keep your options open, continue to work on skills and expand that knowledge. Your career takes several turns and where you think you’re going to end up is not necessarily exactly where you thought. I started my career doing pure oil and gas transactions, then I moved into large cap private equity. Now, my practice is shifting in part back into energy, albeit in very much in the PE space. Being flexible, preserving options and continuing to develop technical and communication skills are critical for those who are unsure of their next steps.
Original source can be found here.