David Musen recently joined RIW’s Corporate, Commercial Real Estate and Hospitality Practice Groups as an associate. He advises clients on contract, general corporate and business transactions with a focus on both preventative measures and strategic planning. Learn more about him and his career path in this Q&A.
Why did you become a lawyer?
A variety of reasons. I love learning about new fields and industries, and great representation requires an attorney to dig into their client’s business and really learn the nuts and bolts of how it works. Without this deeper level of understanding, the quality of work inherently suffers. I have also found, through a background of volunteer work with people with disabilities, that what motivates me most is helping other people, particularly when they have a goal they are trying to accomplish, or a challenge they need to overcome.
Tell us about your career path.
It’s been a bit of a winding road. After graduating from BC Law, I started off clerking for a bankruptcy judge. After my clerkship, I moved into a banking and finance associate role at a large Boston firm. Later, I was able to find my niche in representing small to mid-size businesses in a variety of roles, through general corporate governance, commercial real estate and mergers & acquisitions.
Tell us about your practice.
As noted above, the three core pillars of my practice involve general transactional and corporate governance work, commercial real estate and mergers & acquisitions. I enjoy working with small to mid-size businesses through all phases of their lifecycle.
From formation and creating shareholders and operating agreements, to growing one’s business through equity raises, debt financing (both through institutional and private lenders), moving to or opening new commercial spaces (office or retail) or exploring strategic acquisitions/joint ventures, and finally to exiting through a sale or other disposition. Wherever a business exists in its current stage, I have the skills and knowledge to help my clients achieve their goals in a way that both protects their interests and at the same time creates as smooth and frictionless a transaction as possible.
What do you love most about what you do?
Again, it’s about helping people achieve their goals. The greatest satisfaction I have as a lawyer is when I am able to explain or break down some arcane or obscure legal concept in plain English and see my client light up with understanding as they are able to make an informed, sound decision. That I am able to continue to consistently learn and gain new skills along the way, and knowing that I will never stop learning, is just the cherry on top.
Why did you choose the firm?
I’ve worked at firms large and small, and RIW struck me as the goldilocks firm, so to speak. Being an attorney at RIW brings with it a fantastic quality of clients, warm and supportive colleagues and not only the firm’s approval, but also its active engagement in my development and growth and as an attorney. Joining RIW was simply an opportunity that I could not pass up.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
In 1994 I watched a film called Ace Venture’s Pet Detective and decided two things. First, this was the funniest movie my 5-year-old self had ever seen (non-Mel Brooks division). And second, despite being a native of Newton, Massachusetts, I was going to be a Miami Dolphins fan. A terrible decision. Never let your 5-year-old self make these kinds of life choices, folks.
What do you do in your free time?
These days, its mostly trying to entertain my young daughter with games and long walks through our neighborhood in West Roxbury. When we find the time, my wife and I love exploring Boston’s culinary scene – from upscale bistros to hearty street food. Otherwise, I’ve settled into dad-hood quite nicely – I read a lot of history books and do random stuff around the house. I also watch a lot of, perhaps too much, basketball (I had the good sense to become a Celtics fan).
