I am the current CEO of Robbins DiMonte, Ltd. Prior to the law firms Robbins, Salomon & Patt, Ltd. (RSP) and DiMonte & Lizak, LLC (D&L) recent merger of their Chicago-based law practices, I had a more than 30-year legal career at RSP. I started at RSP as a law clerk in 1986 and upon graduating law school was offered an associate position. Throughout the years, I worked my way up to become a member of the RSP’s Management Committee in 2003, Chief Operating Officer in 2010, and finally Chief Executive Officer in 2020.
My legal practice concentrates in the areas of asset-based lending and commercial finance. I have represented banks, financial institutions, and private lenders in connection with asset-based loans, real estate loans, restructurings, and loan workouts. In addition, I have provided counsel for real estate developers in a broad range of acquisitions, dispositions, leases, development, and other real estate related projects.
As a younger attorney at RSP, I was mentored by multiple senior lawyers who involved me in a wide range of matters in the firm’s Banking & Finance and Business Transaction practice areas and provided introductions. Their mentoring and the experience I gained along the way helped me develop a reputation as a skilled lending attorney. During my early legal career, I worked on a number of real estate loan transactions including commercial and industrial loans and I was eventually introduced to asset-based lending. I really enjoyed getting client transactions to the finish line and I developed an expertise in asset-based lending which became a significant part of my daily practice. Additionally, the senior lawyers’ mentoring helped me fine tune my professional skills, which then fueled my interest to pursue a management track in the firm. To this day, I believe in the value of a strong mentoring program, which I have continued to pay forward to young, developing attorneys.
Presently, as a seasoned attorney with the role of RD’s CEO, I have learned that strong listening skills are critical for successfully leading a law firm. Lawyers who are powerful listeners can negotiate more effectively, answer questions more responsively, communicate with clients more completely, and generally improve their effectiveness in almost all aspects of their practice. In addition, I’ve learned what matters and what doesn’t. When I was a young lawyer, I wanted to win every point and every negotiation, but now I have a completely different mindset. Now I know that I can advocate for my client’s desired results and goals, and at the same time, protect my client’s interests. I’ve learned that common sense and good business judgment are what clients usually need and want.
In 2022, I look forward to leading RD to be a firm positioned for long-term success, and well-regarded for personal service, creativity, and forward-thinking, solution-minded attorneys.
Thank You!
Andy Sachs