Monday Profile: J.J. Burchman

J.J. Burchman was born and raised in the Lansing area, graduating from Okemos High School.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his law degree from the University of Michigan.  He was an associate at Howard & Howard before becoming corporate counsel at Capitol Bancorp Ltd, a bank holding company that at one point in time was the largest bank holding company as measured by the number of separately-chartered banks in the United States.

He rejoined private practice with Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, and recently joined Regulatory Management Counselors, Inc.

Burchman prides himself on advising clients to use creative and out-of-the-box thinking to accomplish their goals, and has advised clients of all sizes, from single-member limited liability companies, to national and international publicly-traded companies, with a wide range of matters including regulatory compliance, real estate, mergers and acquisitions and copyright and trademark law.

He started playing cello at 18 months and continues to enjoy playing for the occasional gig and for church.  He enjoys playing softball, reading, and spending time with his wife, Kim, and three sons ranging in age from six months to nine years.

By Jo Mathis
Legal News

Residence:  Okemos.

What would surprise people about your job?
That it doesn’t matter how proficient in the law, to be truly successful as a lawyer, you need to have people skills and be able to sell your services.

What is your most treasured material possession? My cello.

Favorite local hangouts:
Local softball diamonds; home with my wife and three sons.

Favorite place to spend money: Michigan Stadium.  

Favorite websites, software, apps: Being a Michigan fan, www.mgoblog.com is a frequent stop.  I also have to admit I’m hooked on Star Wars Heroes on my cell phone.

What are you currently reading? I just finished “Boston Girl” by Anita Diamont.  I’m still working through my Christmas books of the latest David Baldacchi, John Grisham and James Patterson novels.

What do you wish someone would invent?
A time machine.

How do you recharge?
Reading, watching TV with my wife, watching U-M football and basketball, and trips to our house on Lake Huron on Bois Blanc Island.

Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party? My mom and dad, my wife, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Albert Einstein.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? Miguel Cabrera—I’d get one day of his pay, right?

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? 
Walking up the ramp and seeing the field appear as a five-year-old at Tiger Stadium.

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?
The day I obtained my first client.

How did you earn your first dollar? Mowing a lawn.

Who inspires you, and why? My parents because of the role models they were and how they sacrificed for my sister and me. 
Describe your workspace. Controlled chaos—I know where everything is, so long as nobody moves it on me!

What do you do to relax?
Read and watch or play sports.

What is one thing you would like to learn to do?  Fly a plane.

What is something most people don't know about you? That I play the cello.

What is the best advice you ever received? When you lose someone you love, the hurt never goes away, you just get used to it.

If you can help it, where will you never return? Florida in August.

What is your motto? Take responsibility for your own actions.

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