Soto Discusses Transition from Law School to Career
On November 12, 2009, Efrain Soto, '04, Senior Tax Advisor at SFX Baseball Group in Chicago, visited Washburn University School of Law as the Business and Transactional Law Center Distinguished Practitioner in Residence.
SFX Baseball Group is a leading full service baseball agency, and Mr. Soto works closely with minor and major league baseball players on tax and financial planning matters. Prior to joining SFX Baseball Group, Mr. Soto worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Chicago Public School System, and as Assistant Chief Deputy Clerk for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois.
While visiting Washburn Law, Mr. Soto spoke to students in an International Business Transactions class, answering questions about the nature and cross-border aspects of his practice.
Mr. Soto also gave a lunchtime presentation entitled, "A Successful Profession: Transitioning from Law School to a Legal Career." In his presentation, Mr. Soto described his practice and the substantive issues on which he advises clients. One topic he discussed was the potential for conflicts of interest when working with professional athletes. For example, he described situations in which a player's parents want something different from what is in the player's best interest. Mr. Soto reminded students that the player is the client, and that therefore his interests are always paramount.
Mr. Soto also discussed tips to a successful business practice, and how to find employment after graduation. He stressed the importance of networking and impressed upon the students the need to "out-work" their competition in order to succeed. The presentation gave students insight into an area of the law that they might not normally encounter, and raised many issues that will be relevant in students' professional careers.
On Friday, November 13, Mr. Soto spoke to prospective students during the Washburn Law Open House.
Posted November 17, 2009.
