Page 6 - The Illinois Sig - Summer 2014

Durrani (Continued from Page 1) lawyers. Second, the regulatory frameworks surrounding the fnancial services industry are changing, so we are constantly presented with new challenges and novel legal questions. How do you maintain a relationship with your pledge brothers? It has been a bit more diffcult since I moved away from Chicago and everyone’s lives mature, but we all do what we can to stay in touch. I had the opportunity to visit David Mesri ’09 while he was living in Brazil last fall. Ross Gorman ’08 made a recent trip out to D.C. And I have the pleasure of celebrating the weddings of two pledge brothers, John Vitols ’09 and Connor McCarthy ’09, this summer. Outside of work, what do you do for fun? Well, I’m still trying to explore all of the different museums, monuments, and other cultural attractions that D.C. has to offer. There is also this Shawn (center) with Brothers David Mesri ’09 and Tony Fazio in Sao Paulo, Brazil. element of “celebrity sightings” here in D.C. because you’ll see some What was your transition to NYC like? very important political fgures casually dining or walking around town Let’s say it was “interesting.” I had not spent any meaningful amount when most times you’ve only seen the person on TV. In fact, I just of time in New York before moving there, but I made the decision and recently saw the President and Vice-President out to lunch together with moved rather quickly. I have a cousin that lives in Manhattan, so my some of their constituents. To the extent possible, I also like to travel, plan was to stay with him until I found my own place. All was going although I don’t have my next destination planned yet. to plan, and I was enjoying my New York City experience for the frst three days I was there, until Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. I had to What advice can you offer to the brothers on how to stay acclimate myself to my new surroundings at a time when Manhattan was focused and willing to change? in complete disarray. Try fnding an apartment in lower Manhattan with I think the focus should be to make sure that you are always challenged and no subways, electricity, or cell phone service below 34th Street. learning something new at every level. If you are not being challenged, then you’re either working below your ability, or you’re missing something. In Why did you make the move to DC? terms of change, it’s very diffcult to determine future trends in whatever I made the move to D.C. because I had an opportunity to join one of area you work. That’s why I think it’s important to engage fellow brothers the federal fnancial regulatory agencies charged with implementing and peers on the subject. If we’re early enough, we can be a part of shaping the regulatory reforms passed in response to the fnancial crisis. Public the trend instead of following it. service is something that was always of interest to me and I think that this is one of the most unique ways to practice in this area. What do you enjoy most about working in your feld? I enjoy many aspects about working in this feld, but I would say there are two primary reasons: the people and the nature of the law. First, I have the privilege of working with a very sharp and congenial group of Alumni (Continued from Page 1) Internship Opportunity! to exude in order to build a successful career in their desired feld. Richard, Arthur, Paul, and Shawn’s stories are just he House Corp. is looking for an intern. This is a paid intern four shining examples of the many brothers who continue Tposition. The intern would work closely with the House Corp. to thrive in the face of a challenging job market for recent Board and work at the offces of Handler Thayer in downtown college graduates. We encourage you to attend alumni Chicago. The scope of the work will be focused on projects events coming up this fall to continue to build relationships defned by the Board and be organizational in nature. We are and broaden your network of Kappa Kappa Alumni and looking for someone with multi-tasking ability, organizational undergraduates. Alumni connectivity, engagement, and skills, and is experienced in Excel. Ideal candidate is a Sigma support is critical to maintaining and advancing the strong Chi undergraduate or recent grad. legacy of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi. Thanks very much, and enjoy this issue of the Illinois Sig! For more information, contact Peter Steger ’79 at Peter.steger@stegerfnancial.com or 312-368-7560 Wayne Vonder Heide ’07 Alumni communication services provided by Te Laurus Group | www.thelaurusgroup.net | 770-903-3987 | @thelaurusgroup