News! Big news, at least for me, and it relates to my work life. The news comes in three parts:

1. Since August 1, 2015, I have been General Counsel for Pima Medical Institute;
2. As of August 31, 2015—tomorrow—I will no longer be practicing law at Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C.; and
3. On September 1, 2015, I will be practicing law at the Law Office of Mark Rubin.

Before I go forward, thanks are in order. I was happy and successful in late 2009. Nervous about being a solo practitioner, after my building flooded and I was sick for a week, leaving me about three weeks behind on my work; still, happy! Along came MCR, with a terrific opportunity. I took it, and have enjoyed almost every moment of the last 68 months. I have worked with great attorneys and a terrific support staff, and had the privilege—and I don’t use that word lightly—of spending almost six years working daily with Lowell Rothschild. Mr. R is a legend in the worlds of: business reorganization law, law practice management, community engagement, and bowling. (Yes, the man chaired the board of the American Bowling Congress, and is a member of the National Bowling Hall of Fame, and has bowled in more than 50 national championship tournaments.)

My decisions—to join PMI and leave MCR—were driven by the opportunity to serve Pima Medical Institute. For almost 34 years I have represented clients in the traditional way. You call me with a problem or opportunity. I respond, solving your problem or making good things happen. Or not. Regardless, the model is worthy, and it has sheltered, fed, and clothed me and mine very nicely for decades.

Serving as General Counsel for a corporation provides new opportunities and challenges. I still deal with leases, lawsuits, and the like, but on another level I’m the SWOT guy, looking for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, all from a legal perspective. It’s a lens I don’t wear when people call me with a problem or opportunity, and it’s a lens I look forward to wearing for part of most days.

I need to brag on my client/new employer just briefly. I have represented PMI since 1984, when it had one very small facility in Tucson. Tucson people may recall a facility on Grant Rd., and some who really pay attention may be aware of the fact that company headquarters is located at Swan and Broadway, next to the Lucky Wishbone. (It’s a Tucson thing!)

As of 2015, PMI has trained 87,000 students in allied health fields. Its 1000+ employees teach and support education at 17 schools in eight states, and through online education programs. The company, quietly, is one of Tucson’s rock stars.

Alas, part time means part-time, so I have restarted the solo practice I operated from 1/1/2000 through 12/31/2009. Candidly—and older readers will appreciate what I’m saying, it’s harder to do this at almost 58 than it was at 42. On the other hand, I had pneumonia—for the third time in my life—in late 1999, and I had a much less mature practice than I have today. And I survived … and thrived.

So, enough carrying on. Click on Law Office of Mark Rubin to find out about my new practice and how I can serve you. You’ll also learn about some new and, I think, cool ideas which bridge the gaps between “you: problem/me: earn money” and helping people solve problems before they arise.

Big takeaways from all of this news?  I’ll surely be more choosey about the matters I handle, but I’m totally focused on the value proposition for you, the clients.

As for Mark Rubin Writes, loyal readers can probably better understand my break. I plan to get to writing regularly, but I know that will challenge me from time to time. Thanks again for your loyalty, support, and patience.