From Bronx to Bench: A Trial Lawyer’s Journey Through Mentorship & Motivation

Episode Breakdown

What drives someone to become a lawyer — and what keeps them in the profession when the shine wears off?

In Episode 09.1 of Confronting the Impossible, Leo Jacobs interviews Adam Sherman, a young trial attorney who reflects on how early inspiration, tough beginnings, and real-world training forged his career.

This is not a tale of overnight success. It’s a quiet but powerful story of how grit, guidance, and purpose shape the lawyer you become — and how personal roots can lead to professional resilience.

A Grandfather’s Shadow

Adam didn’t discover law in a classroom. He discovered it through the stories and stature of his grandfather — a trial lawyer and the respected patriarch of his family.

He remembers family gatherings where his grandfather would command the room — not with ego, but with earned respect. That image stuck. It shaped how Adam saw influence, impact, and leadership. He didn’t witness his grandfather in court, but the presence was enough. It planted a seed.

His father, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, and his mother, who pivoted careers from travel agent to pre-K teacher, added to this foundation — modeling commitment, reinvention, and quiet strength.

Together, they gave Adam a roadmap: take pride in your work, keep your integrity, and finish what you start.

Through the Fire of Law School

Adam’s journey into law wasn’t glamorous. At Hofstra Law, he often found himself overwhelmed and uninspired.

The Socratic method felt more like a trap than a tool. Final exams determined everything. Grading curves were confusing. And self-doubt became a constant companion.

“There were times I wanted to quit,” he admits. “But I stayed — because I was already in it. I had to finish.”

The classroom didn’t define his calling. But it did shape his discipline.

A Judge, a Law Firm, and a Turning Point

The real transformation came outside the classroom.

During an internship with Judge Shlomo Hagler, Adam saw the law come alive. He sat in on oral arguments, read real motions, and learned how much weight credibility holds in the courtroom. He saw firsthand how a single misquoted case could ruin a lawyer’s standing with the bench — and how careful, honest preparation could build it.

From there, he joined a boutique litigation firm — just four lawyers. One partner became a mentor, and the other drilled him into shape with rigorous, regimented training. This wasn’t theoretical anymore. Every motion mattered. Every case had consequence.

He didn’t plan on becoming a commercial litigator. But the work pulled him in. It was real. It was complex. And it demanded growth.

The Law in Real Life

Adam’s career wasn’t mapped out in a master plan. It evolved.

He started law school wanting to honor his grandfather’s legacy in personal injury. He ended up becoming a rising force in commercial litigation — not because he sought it out, but because he followed where the real learning happened.

Now, he brings that same depth and discipline to every case.

He’s not chasing courtroom theatrics. He’s chasing clarity. Strategy. And a sense of doing the work right.

Final Thought

Episode 09.1 is a quiet but powerful look at how lawyers are made — not by prestige or perfect GPAs, but by persistence, mentorship, and experience.

It’s about sticking with something even when it feels uncertain.

It’s about the moment the textbooks fade, and the people — judges, clients, mentors — become real.

And it’s about remembering that the best attorneys aren’t built overnight. They’re shaped over time — by the people who came before them, and by the fire they walked through to get there.

🎧 Watch Episode 01 now

Discover how Adam Sherman found his voice in law — and how your path might be shaped by the same combination of legacy, learning, and relentless effort.

PODCAST - Confronting the Impossible with Leo Jacobs.

Leo Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Jacobs PC

Known for finding creative, expedient solutions to complex and high-profile cases, Leo excels in matters including distressed investment and asset management, real estate law, corporate law, dispute resolution, business divorces, negotiation, and more. Leo’s extensive expertise in debt and equity structures enables him to employ a full spectrum of legal tools to achieve swift, optimal results for clients. His practice, Jacobs P.C., bridges commercial litigation, corporate transactions, and financial rehabilitation, handling cases across federal, state, and bankruptcy courts, as well as administrative tribunals.

If you would like to join the podcast email requests to pr@jacobspc.com