Marine service opened up new world for New Jersey attorney
As a teen, attorney Alex Keoskey knew he had more to offer the world than just a broad back and callused hands. What he needed was a path that might lead him beyond the blue-collar borders of Weehawken, New Jersey, into a world of broader opportunities. From what he could see, though, ways out seemed limited.
As a young lad, he would often spin a world globe and stop it with a jab of his finger and then imagine going to the country where his finger landed.
Located largely on the Hudson Palisades overlooking the Hudson River, Weehawken is connected to Midtown Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. Now dramatically transformed through gentrification, Weehawken was a working-class town when Keoskey was growing up there. Most of the parents of his friends worked at the local Maxwell House Coffee factory in Hoboken or at the loading docks along the river. The waterfront, which is now all luxury condominiums with a stunning view of New York City, was then congested with freight trains traveling to and from the docks.
“It was a great place to grow up,” recalls Keoskey. “We were connected to New York City in so many ways. If we played hooky from school, we took the bus and in seven minutes we were in the center of the greatest city in the world.”
Despite being a voracious reader fascinated by history, geography, and politics, Keoskey was not the best student. He had few role models of academic achievement other than his teachers. No one in his family had completed high school, let alone gone to college. Most of the adults he knew chose to get a union job in the trades and raise a family. Higher education was rarely considered an option.
“I think I read every book in the library, but I didn’t want to sit in a classroom and take tests,” says Keoskey. “I probably had the worst grades in my class, but probably the best book knowledge of anyone.”
It’s evident to him now that his constant reading not only expanded his vocabulary and sharpened his writing skills, but it also developed a facility for absorbing information, which was likely one of the first seeds planted toward his later interest in becoming a lawyer.
When Keoskey was 16, he faced a critical life decision when his father suggested that he become his apprentice as a steel worker working in New York City. His father, whose right hand was like sandpaper from callouses and whose grip was crushingly strong, encouraged him to join his labor union. He would get good pay, vacation time, and a pension. Keoskey gave his father’s advice serious thought.
It’s evident to him now that his constant reading not only expanded his vocabulary and sharpened his writing skills, but it also developed a facility for absorbing information, which was likely one of the first seeds planted toward his later interest in becoming a lawyer.
As a young lad, he would often spin a world globe and stop it with a jab of his finger and then imagine going to the country where his finger landed.
Located largely on the Hudson Palisades overlooking the Hudson River, Weehawken is connected to Midtown Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. Now dramatically transformed through gentrification, Weehawken was a working-class town when Keoskey was growing up there. Most of the parents of his friends worked at the local Maxwell House Coffee factory in Hoboken or at the loading docks along the river. The waterfront, which is now all luxury condominiums with a stunning view of New York City, was then congested with freight trains traveling to and from the docks.
“It was a great place to grow up,” recalls Keoskey. “We were connected to New York City in so many ways. If we played hooky from school, we took the bus and in seven minutes we were in the center of the greatest city in the world.”
Despite being a voracious reader fascinated by history, geography, and politics, Keoskey was not the best student. He had few role models of academic achievement other than his teachers. No one in his family had completed high school, let alone gone to college. Most of the adults he knew chose to get a union job in the trades and raise a family. Higher education was rarely considered an option.
“I think I read every book in the library, but I didn’t want to sit in a classroom and take tests,” says Keoskey. “I probably had the worst grades in my class, but probably the best book knowledge of anyone.”
It’s evident to him now that his constant reading not only expanded his vocabulary and sharpened his writing skills, but it also developed a facility for absorbing information, which was likely one of the first seeds planted toward his later interest in becoming a lawyer.
When Keoskey was 16, he faced a critical life decision when his father suggested that he become his apprentice as a steel worker working in New York City. His father, whose right hand was like sandpaper from callouses and whose grip was crushingly strong, encouraged him to join his labor union. He would get good pay, vacation time, and a pension. Keoskey gave his father’s advice serious thought.
It’s evident to him now that his constant reading not only expanded his vocabulary and sharpened his writing skills, but it also developed a facility for absorbing information, which was likely one of the first seeds planted toward his later interest in becoming a lawyer.
Lance Duroni
Kohner Mann & Kailas, S.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kohner Mann & Kailas, S.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who was your chief mentor and how did he or she influence your career?
Ryan Billings. Ryan has a clear and concise answer at the ready for most of my questions, so he is a great mentor. And only 50 percent of his answers begin with “it depends,” which is a pretty good ratio for an attorney.
Ryan Billings. Ryan has a clear and concise answer at the ready for most of my questions, so he is a great mentor. And only 50 percent of his answers begin with “it depends,” which is a pretty good ratio for an attorney.
Coffee & Conversation
Monday, July 10th, 2023 at 10am EDT
How to Leverage the Primerus™ Community
Katie Bundyra
International Society of Primerus™ Law Firms, Ada, Michigan
Monday, July 10th, 2023 at 10am EDT
How to Leverage the Primerus™ Community
Katie Bundyra
International Society of Primerus™ Law Firms, Ada, Michigan
Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Leadership Qualities: Empowering Your Team to be Successful
Chase Victorson
Association of Corporate Counsel International Legal Affairs Network, New York, New York
Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Leadership Qualities: Empowering Your Team to be Successful
Chase Victorson
Association of Corporate Counsel International Legal Affairs Network, New York, New York
If you are interested in being featured in a future edition of the Primerus™ Weekly, please contact Katie Bundyra at kbundyra@primerus.com.
Firms need to keep up their guard in cybersecurity realm
Hardly a week goes by without a news flash about a corporate titan, governmental entity, or philanthropic organization that has been victimized by a cyber-attack, causing massive data breaches that can spread damage faster than a wildfire on a bone-dry summer day.
In today’s digital world, it is akin to a technological twist on the old saying that a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.
Which is a chief reason why cybersecurity has become a global growth industry over the past decade and one of the primary concerns for those who possess sensitive personal and professional information.
In today’s digital world, it is akin to a technological twist on the old saying that a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.
Which is a chief reason why cybersecurity has become a global growth industry over the past decade and one of the primary concerns for those who possess sensitive personal and professional information.
Socializing matters and can greatly improve your health in the long run
Loneliness is more than just a feeling and can lead to severe health consequences, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, dementia, and stroke.
In a recent public statement titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy calls for attention to the loneliness epidemic as an urgent public health issue in the United States and provides recommendations for how to address it. According to the advisory, approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, with some of the highest rates among young adults.
By nature, humans are social beings and loneliness can stem from the lack of social interaction and connection, according to medical experts. There are several factors and habits preventing individuals from taking more time to socialize. Social media, texting, and remote meetings do not satisfy biological socializing needs nor prevent the risk of loneliness. It is important to be intentional in allocating and devoting sufficient time to in-person interaction and socialization with family and friends.
Remember, as members of Primerus, we are not participating in a passive referral organization, as we are all part of a global society of law firms. Primerus encourages the development of relationships, offering a platform to make meaningful friendships while promoting professional networking opportunities. Socializing through Primerus programs and attending in-person events can contribute to individual health improvement, offering a guardrail to experiencing the plague of loneliness in society.
In a recent public statement titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy calls for attention to the loneliness epidemic as an urgent public health issue in the United States and provides recommendations for how to address it. According to the advisory, approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, with some of the highest rates among young adults.
By nature, humans are social beings and loneliness can stem from the lack of social interaction and connection, according to medical experts. There are several factors and habits preventing individuals from taking more time to socialize. Social media, texting, and remote meetings do not satisfy biological socializing needs nor prevent the risk of loneliness. It is important to be intentional in allocating and devoting sufficient time to in-person interaction and socialization with family and friends.
Remember, as members of Primerus, we are not participating in a passive referral organization, as we are all part of a global society of law firms. Primerus encourages the development of relationships, offering a platform to make meaningful friendships while promoting professional networking opportunities. Socializing through Primerus programs and attending in-person events can contribute to individual health improvement, offering a guardrail to experiencing the plague of loneliness in society.
This Wellness Tip was brought to you by the Quality of Life Subcommittee of the Primerus™ Quality Assurance Board and Featured Contributor Nicole Quintana. We also welcome your tips, which can be submitted to Paige Neirman at pneirman@primerus.com for publication consideration.
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October 26-29, 2023
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