I recently finished reading Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book Be Useful, and one message really stuck with me: None of us are self-made. Every accomplishment, every milestone, is built on the support, wisdom, and generosity of others. As I reflect on ten years of legal practice, and how I got here, this truth feels especially meaningful.
With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to express my gratitude to a few of the incredible people who have helped me along the way.
First, my parents, Cindy and Steve.
Thank you for being my number-one supporters through school and into my legal career. Becoming a lawyer wasn’t in my grand plan, but I vividly remember sitting at the bar with my dad, clinking glasses of Kessler and Coke (don’t judge me – smooth as silk!), and saying, “Dad, how could becoming a lawyer be a bad idea?” (Oh, 2010 Collin—if only you could meet 2024 Collin.)
My very first trial, Dad sat in the back—he even put on a tie for the occasion! I’m sure both Mom and Dad worried when I told them in 2016 that I wanted to quit my job, move back to Grafton, and start a law firm. But they never let their concerns overshadow their support, and that unwavering faith means everything.
Second, my wife, Kim.
You deserve a medal. Thank you for putting up with me on the daily and for being more dedicated to my success than I am. There’s no way I would’ve survived law school without you, let alone ten years of practice. Your belief in me is the foundation of everything I’ve achieved.
Third, Patrick Madden.
Thank you for giving me my first job out of law school and taking a chance on me. I’ll admit, I wasn’t the easiest employee to manage (then, or now) and when I decided to leave and start my own firm, you could have handled it negatively —but you didn’t. Instead, you supported me, continued to answer my calls when I had questions, and have sent great clients my way. That kind of generosity and professionalism has left a lasting impression on me, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
Fourth, my business partners, Jeff and Erin.
Where do I even start? Jeff, I owe everything I know about alcohol (law) to you. Erin, thank you for taking a leap of faith six years ago and for putting up with me ever since. You’ve become the voice in my head on the tough days, especially when I’m tempted to be the hard-to-manage employee. (And yes, you’re probably correcting my grammar in this blog post right now.)
Fifth, Dave and Mark.
You were the first attorneys I worked with out of law school, and to this day, you still answer my calls when I’ve got questions about estate planning, litigation, or taxes. Having colleagues who’ll pick up the phone in a pinch is invaluable, and neither of you has ever let me down.
Sixth, Anne Smith.
Thank you for helping me break into working with startups—my goal from day one of law school. Without your introduction to Madworks, I wouldn’t have met so many amazing founders or learned about all of the exciting things they were doing. And, a shout out to Louie Condon for stepping down as Madworks Program Manager and holding the door open for me on his way out.
As I celebrate this milestone in my career, I’m reminded that success isn’t a solo act. It’s built on the shoulders of giants, the people who lift us up, share their wisdom, and make us better. These people—and many more not listed here—have been my giants.
Happy holidays to you and your family. Thanks for reading.