CLM fellow and frequent article contributor Matthew Cianflone, general counsel at Gold Medal Bakery, discusses his career leading up to his current role at Gold Medal Bakery, his advice for young professionals starting their careers, and what he enjoys outside of work.
Learning the Ropes
Cianflone graduated from law school in 2010 and joined a small firm practicing insurance and transportation defense, where he spent 10 years rising from associate to partner. “We had everything, from the little old lady in the crosswalk that got hurt, to multifatality traumatic brain injury cases for Fortune 500 companies involving transportation. So, it was an eclectic mix of work,” he says. He then moved to Gold Medal Bakery, where he has worked for three and a half years.
Success in Insurance Defense Litigation
Cianflone discusses on what it takes to be successful in insurance defense litigation: “I think valuing cases is really important. You have to look at each case individually and understand where your exposure is. That could come from not only the accident, injury, or the damage that you’re dealing with, but also the jurisdiction, document production, and potential witnesses.
Lesson Learned
Cianflone discusses one lesson he learned early in his career that still guides him today: “Young lawyers worry about rankings, law review, opportunities, making money— but none of that matters when you’re working on a case. Nobody cares where you went to school…they care whether you’re prepared at deposition, can examine witnesses, argue your motions, and adjust when your strategy isn’t working. Not getting caught in the hierarchy and structures of the legal profession is one lesson I go back to time and again.”
Beware of Cognitive Bias
Cianflone believes that one of the most significant dangers in the legal profession is susceptibility to cognitive bias. “Attorney bias is just so dangerous to what we’re really trying to do,” he says. “[We need] to be able to pick our heads up out of the sand, look at the legal landscape, and assess it honestly, while also embracing change and technology.”
Work-Life Balance
When it comes to achieving work-life balance, Cianfone says, “I think all good lawyers carry their work home. It’s always on your mind [and] I don’t think you have to shut it off at the door. It’s a privilege to help people and have family members and friends come to you for advice. Looking at it from that perspective is helpful to maintaining work-life balance. In my free time, I love to read, write, travel, and spend time with my wife and son.”
Manage the Moment
Cianflone advises young professionals to keep an open mind and not speculate about probabilities. “Your experience becomes important because you’re developing your judgment,” he says. “It doesn’t make you a mind reader. Temper those tendencies to pontificate about what’s going to happen. Treat each case individually, assess the facts, and give your client the best assessment—not what you think they want to hear.”