What Does a Corporate Lawyer Do & Do You Need One?

Brett Cenkus answers the question what is a corporate lawyer, what do they do and do you need one?

Even in law school, he was unaware of what a corporate lawyer does. As you'll see, Brett describes a corporate lawyer (or transactional lawyer) as a business generalist. No courtroom for us, but the advice of a quality business attorney is invaluable.

In the 20 years since getting his law degree, Brett has spent about half of that in business himself. And, you want your business lawyer to have some sort of business experience. It means they understand the challenges you face, your needs, and concerns because they've been where you are.

So, whether you're figuring out your career path or are researching the attributes to look for in your next corporate attorney, watch the video and let us know what you think.

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Have questions? Book a call, and talk to Brett today:

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You can reach Brett through:


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Brett A. Cenkus has 20+ years of experience in business law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Through Cenkus Law, PC, he provides advice and services for mergers & acquisitions (M&A), securities offerings, founders’ agreements, and other general business law issues.

Through Braaten Woods, LLC, Brett helps business owners in the lower middle market ($2MM - $25MM) position themselves for sale, find buyers, negotiate, and close M&A deals.

Brett regularly consults with entrepreneurs and invests his own capital as an angel investor.

From 2010-2013, Brett served as Chief Legal Counsel of a publicly-traded international oilfield services company. From 2001 to 2006, he and a partner founded and built Paragon Residential Mortgage. Bridge Investments acquired Paragon in 2006.

Brett holds a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania.

Brett lives in Austin with his wife, Cathryn, and two children. He enjoys reading, squash, classic movies, great food and wine, and the New England Patriots.

#corporatelaw #mergersandaquisitions #businesslaw #corporatelawyer

[belle]

Here’s how my dad explained it to me:
You don’t have to go to court
You get paid well
You basically sign papers and read things over

[Angel-tdyk]

Transactional lawyer is a good way to put it! People never understand me when I say I want to be a lawyer but dont really want to be arguing in court

[citymonk]

Wow...you are the best..you have explained it properly in very simplified manner..

[makatforoma]

Wow when he was explaining the type of students. I definitely fit in the I am in Law school but I definitely dont want to argue and i love business too

[Tlacaelel]

I had the same struggle, I started studying law but arguing and going to court rooms was something that I was not very attracted to (ironic for a person that wants to become a lawyer). But then I heard about Corporate Law and now it's what I want to do. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[ramiropema]

Great video, myself a corporate lawyer and I still have friends come up to me and say "Oh! Now I know someone who can take me out of jail" they don't understand what a corporate lawyer does. Cheers!

[shadowsinx]

Hi Brett,

I'm a third year law student and i really like your videos as it is so relatble to me. Hope you could do a video on what a law student should do to better prepare themselve to be a corporate lawyer. (:

[OMazzing]

Definitely affirmed my interest in corporate law. Thank you!!

[punbishal]

I can so relate with him. I found some class mates so passionate about the law and they wanted to be lawyers since like 13 and here I was choosing law just cuz I thought I might enjoy it and it would be useful for my future.

[greyvann]

What was your biggest challenge on your way to becoming a corporate Attorney ?

[lorenacuenca]

The explanation of the deciding reasons for becoming a transactional lawyer was so funny. I decided I wanted to become a lawyer when I was 4 years old, chose corporate during my freshman year of highschool. That same year we held a mock trial court case for our final eval projects (i went to a special hs) and I scored extremely well. I had loads of fun preparing my case but I realized that it didn't do much for me. I really got into it tho when we started going over contracts which everyone else hated. I'm applying to law school this year and I guess I finally know exactly what it is I want to do. 😊

[zpacez]

Thank you so much, you've given me purpose to study law after finishing business school.

[kidakokici]

I’m just watching this video. I have an associates in Criminal Justice. Want to get my bachelor’s in finance and then law school is what I want to do . Definitely corporate lawyer is what I would like to pursue.
Ppl think I’m wasting a lot of time and money and what I’m doing makes no sense lol.
Thanks a lot for making this video.

[williejameshampton]

My mom is a corporate lawyer and my dad was a chief of police and im a director of a company i was born January 15 1974

[derusa]

This video just cleared my doubts on what I will do if I go to law school

[daisydreams]

This is the most honest and spot on video I’ve seen out there about the reason some of us became corporate lawyers. 😂

[juniorruberinwari]

Great video. I'd like to study corporate law. Well, I have 3 questions
1. You really need to pass LSAT to study corporate law??
2. How much does it cost to study corporate law??
3. Do corporate lawyer have free time for vacation with family??

[OnYourOwnFx]

I love this guy! He is so motivational and lowkey person which gives the right advices, I admire really. Keep up the good work!

[epicentp]

I only want to be a lawyer because there is no thing I love in this life more than arguing

[nycto]

I am studying business with majors in banking and finance, marketing. We take classes in law related stuff like corporate, tax, commercial etc and I will go to law school after this to become a corporate lawyer!