Braeden Anderson is a successful attorney specializing in regulatory enforcement at Sidley Austin LLP (the “Obama” firm), one of the most prestigious law firms in the world, he came from humble beginnings. He focuses his practice on general regulatory enforcement defense and government investigations. Braeden regularly assists with the representation of financial institutions, investment advisers, public companies and senior officers in connection with investigations (as well as defense of investigations) generally initiated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New York State Attorney General (NYAG) and other Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) and various other federal and state financial regulators.

As a Nigerian and Irish child born into the impoverished home of a single white mother in rural Alberta, Braeden’s story is one of overcoming socioeconomic and racial barriers, defying expectations, and conquering adversity.

Basketball was Braeden’s lifeline and his one way ticket to a successful and meaningful life. As an immigrant to the U.S., he leveraged his talent to become an All-American high school player, join Steve Nash and the Canadian Olympic team, and get a high quality education at a Division I school. After a life-threatening accident nearly ended his playing career, he set his sights on an even greater goal: the practice of law. He chose Seton Hall University, where he would become the first Division I ball player to also study full-time as a first-year law student (winning the 2016 Big East Conference Championship in the process).

Here’s a candid conversation with him:

What’s a day in the life of Braeden like for work?

As an associate at a large law firm, I typically work between 10 and 12 hours a day. I focus my practice on general regulatory enforcement defense and government investigations. Our clients are usually banks, financial institutions, and public companies or their senior officers. These investigations are generally initiated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New York State Attorney General (NYAG) or various other federal and state financial regulators.

While I’m aware that the above may sound boring, I can assure you it’s not. The process of defending large organizations against government regulatory investigations typically involves the firm (and myself) performing an internal investigation ourselves. In many ways, we investigate and try to figure out what happened before the government does in order to best prepare our client for what’s to come. A big part of great lawyering is subsumed within preparedness and foresight. When you can accurately predict the issues that could or will arise, it puts you in a much better position. It’s like knowing the answers before exam day. That process of uncovering the key facts and information is what I love most about my job. This often involves reviewing and analyzing thousands upon thousands of individuals’ work emails and compiling a chronology of major events and key communications. This enables us to be able to tell a complete story. What’s interesting about these cases are the stories themselves. Because all I do is regulatory enforcement, many of the legal issues become repetitive. But the stories and facts we learn and uncover are always different, and frequently shocking and fascinating.

Likes and dislikes or pros and cons of the role?

Pros: Being a lawyer is an incredible honor and a unique privilege. Doing the specific work that I do is particularly satisfying because I get to work on many of the most sophisticated and complex matters that are happening in the world, and also represent many of the largest and high profile companies and individuals. This job also allows you to build analytical skills that enable you to be pragmatic in other areas of your life, aside from your professional career.

Cons: This job is hard work and there is often a great deal of pressure to perform. Working for a major law firm and representing sophisticated parties means that there is not much room for error or imperfection. Our clients pay top dollar for top talent, and excellent representation. Therefore, it can often be overwhelming and intimidating for some people, usually earlier in their career.

What was your journey from law school to your current job?

How can students prepare for a career in this field?

Advice you’d give for law students?

Work really hard in school, and obsess over the process of getting what you want. Do not be intimidated. If the laws of physics allow for your goal to happen, you can do it, period. It’s also important to realize how important it is to develop relationships and connections with people outside of school. Seek out mentorship from folks who have done what you want to do. Ask them questions and don’t be shy. Finally, be confident in yourself. If you don’t believe it, how can anyone else? Never be the one to say no to your goal. Believe in yourself with relentlessness and perseverance.

Anything you’d do differently?

Not to sound cliche, but no. I have planned out my professional career pretty meticulously, and I could not be happier or more satisfied with the results. It’s been a truly beautiful journey, full of obstacles and challenges. I would not rather have it any other way. If it doesn’t kill you, adversity makes you stronger. So in that way, I feel very lucky.

What are your keys to success?

Fear of failure – This may sound counter intuitive, but having a healthy amount of fear is actually very motivating. I’m so worried about failing I will do anything to succeed. But fear of failure is not the same as fear of losing. I love honestly losing. Losing excites me. Losing is temporary. Losing is part of the process. I cannot lose forever, and I now know that from experience.  I love that process of imagining a goal and wracking your brain to come up with a plan that might enable you to pull it off. You lose and then you reflect and think about what you did wrong, or what you could do differently. I have met many challenges. Finding success now is like meeting an old friend. When success is close, you can smell it. You think, “Hey, I can smell donuts, I must be near a donut shop.”  People who stop when faced with challenges often think: “Success doesn’t look like this… I guess I should try something else… I guess this isn’t going to work.”

Fun facts about you:

– I graduated from college in 3 years with a B.S. in Forensic Behavioral Science

– I was the first male NCAA division 1 athlete to play basketball while enrolled full time in law school

– I know how to brew meade (honey-wine)

– I like to paint

– I was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Since moving to the U.S. 12 years ago, I have lived in 8 states.