Top Lawyers: Eyal Sharon Of Sharon Law On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law

An Interview with Eric L. Pines

Ability to research — although often tedious, having strong research skills as a lawyer is extremely important. Legal research is necessary to find the applicable laws, regulations, and case law that govern a particular legal issue. This helps lawyers determine the legal framework that applies to their clients’ situation. Doing the best research possible ultimately means being the best lawyer possible.

The legal field is known to be extremely competitive. Lawyers are often smart, ambitious, and highly educated. That being said, what does it take to stand out and become a “Top Lawyer” in your specific field of law? In this interview series called “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law”, we are talking to top lawyers who share what it takes to excel and stand out in your industry.

As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eyal Sharon, Eyal Sharon, Founder and Managing Partner at Sharon Law, PLLC.

Over the past 14 years, Eyal Sharon has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape by advising startups, scale-ups, and established corporations on a wide array of legal matters. His career trajectory, from law clerk at the Florida Office of the Attorney General to founding his own firm, Sharon Law, has provided him with invaluable insights into what it takes to excel in the legal profession.

Eyal is dedicated to establishing long-term attorney-client relationships built on trust, integrity, and exceptional service and truly believes that that underscores his belief in the importance of personal connection in law. This approach not only fosters client loyalty but also enhances the quality of legal outcomes. Eyal’s academic achievements, with a Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law and a summa cum laude degree in political science and economics from Temple University, reflects his commitment to excellence and continuous learning.

Eyal is an expert in many divisions of law and his multilingual capabilities and international professional experience has further strengthened his capabilities as a successful lawyer. Working in Santiago, Chile, he developed a deep understanding of different legal systems and business cultures. This experience honed his adaptability and ability to navigate complex legal environments across borders. Speaking Hebrew, English, and having basic communication skills in Spanish has allowed him to connect with a diverse client base and address their unique needs.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit more. What is the “backstory” that brought you to this particular career path in Law? Did you want to be an attorney “when you grew up”?

I have always had a passion for argument, questioning, writing, and analytical decision-making. As a child, my father’s best friend nicknamed me “Eyal Why?” because I constantly sought explanations and questioned things that didn’t seem to make sense. It wasn’t until after I graduated from undergrad and entered the business world that I realized becoming a lawyer was my true calling. I was drawn to the challenge, the need for strong analytical skills, and my love for finding solutions based on thorough analysis.

Can you tell us a bit about the nature of your practice and what you focus on?

I began my career working at the Florida AG’s Antitrust division, and from there went into private practice representing major companies in complex matters (whether Regulatory, transactional, or litigation issues). Now, at Sharon Law, PLLC, I focus on providing transactional, regulatory, and general counsel services to business and business owners regardless of the stage in which the business is in. With integrity and honesty at the core of my practice, I always provide my clients with fair prices, ensuring they receive the highest quality legal representation without the burden of excessive costs. My commitment to transparency and ethical practices fosters trust and long-term relationships, allowing me to effectively support my clients’ growth and success.

You are a successful attorney. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? What unique qualities do you have that others may not? Can you please share a story or example for each?

The three character traits that have been most instrumental to my success are being detail-oriented, possessing strong analytical and reasoning skills, and always striving for perfection without arrogance. Three unique qualities that set me apart are prioritizing reputation over money, maintaining integrity and pride in my work, and the ability to adapt and learn from others.

A story from my career that reflects these traits is when I took my first job in private practice. I was asked, “Why are you so confident that you can succeed in the complex world of business litigation and regulatory practice at the firm?” My answer was simple: I have never lost a bet when betting on myself, but I am always aware of my abilities and the importance of being open to learning from others. I knew that joining private practice would require patience and a willingness to adapt to a new environment and workflow. This openness to learning, combined with my commitment to excellence and integrity, has been key to my success.

Do you think you have had luck in your success? Can you explain what you mean?

Luck has certainly played a role in my success, but it’s not the only factor. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in a prestigious law firm, serve as a general counsel, and now, to have opened my own law firm. However, once these opportunities present themselves, it’s essential to seize them and build upon them through skill, hard work, and relationship building. Luck can provide a starting point, but without dedication and effort, relying solely on luck won’t lead to sustained success. It’s the combination of being prepared to take advantage of lucky breaks and consistently putting in the hard work that truly drives long-term achievement.

Do you think where you went to school has any bearing on your success? How important is it for a lawyer to go to a top-tier school?

I am a big proponent of education, but I don’t think the school you go to determines your success. When you graduate from a top-tier school, you may find opportunities come easier, however, if you do not have the necessary skills you may find your opportunities to be temporary in nature. I also believe that there are plenty of great lawyers that come from lower tiered schools. I always like to remind those around me that at the end of the day, you can go to an ivy-league and fail the bar exam, and on the other hand, go to lower tiered school and ace the bar exam.

Based on the lessons you have learned from your experience, if you could go back in time and speak to your twenty-year-old self, what would you say? Would you do anything differently?

I don’t know if I would do anything different, I am not a person to second guess my decisions once made. I believe that when we second guess decisions, it often causes us to carry more stress in life. You make a decision and you continue with it, and always look forward, not backwards.

This is not easy work. What is your primary motivation and drive behind the work that you do?

Challenging myself to learn new industries and provide my client the best advice in their business operations.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I am working with a technology client on the development of new protocols and compliance documents related to AI. As the world of AI is starting to get regulatory supervision, and this client is working on AI-based vendors, I am having the opportunity to learn a vast amount on the legal matters that go into AI and it’s truly fascinating.

Where do you go from here? Where do you aim to be in the next chapter of your career?

Having opened my own firm, the next step for me is to grow and scale the firm while maintaining a balance between my work and family. I envision my firm’s growth as the greatest example to show my children that by working hard and setting goals, you can find success in anything you want to find success in.

Without sharing anything confidential, can you please share your most successful “war story”? Can you share the funniest?

I helped a foreign startup restructure and they ended up going through an exit and being purchased by an international travel company.

Ok, fantastic. Let’s now shift to discussing some advice for aspiring lawyers. Do you work remotely? Onsite? Or Hybrid? What do you think will be the future of how law offices operate? What do you prefer? Can you please explain what you mean?

I primarily work from a home office but make a point to schedule monthly meetings with clients at their offices. While tools like Zoom have made meetings more convenient, I firmly believe in the value of face-to-face interactions when discussing business, legal, and regulatory matters. Meeting clients in person fosters a deeper understanding of their needs and the complexities impacting their businesses. Looking ahead, I see a hybrid model becoming increasingly prevalent in law offices, blending remote work flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration where necessary. This approach allows for greater efficiency and client engagement while adapting to evolving workplace dynamics and client preferences.

How has the legal world changed since COVID? How do you think it might change in the near future? Can you explain what you mean?

At the start of COVID, we witnessed a significant shift across law firms nationwide, with most transitioning to remote work and office spaces sitting empty. As the pandemic progressed, however, many firms began to recognize the essential value of in-person interactions, particularly for fostering teamwork and supporting the development of new hires and junior staff. In the legal profession, collaboration within a team is crucial, and office presence allows for better oversight and control over work pace and quality. Additionally, providing feedback in person often proves more effective than remote methods. Looking forward, I anticipate a hybrid model emerging where firms balance the benefits of remote work with the advantages of face-to-face engagement to optimize productivity and client service.

Based on your experience, how can attorneys effectively leverage social media to build their practice?

I am no expert in social media. I believe that in order to effectively leverage it, lawyers should work with social media experts rather than adding social media to their already full plate. I believe that traditional public relations efforts remain crucial and may sometimes yield greater impact than social media alone.

What are your “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law?”

1. Strong work ethic — No matter where you are in your law career, a strong work ethic will always be the number one thing you’ll need in order to succeed. Most who go into law have a passion for it — allow that passion to turn into hard work. When you find love and passion in what you do, working hard will come easy in nature. Ultimately, a strong work ethic translates passion into action, driving excellence and achieving successful outcomes in a challenging and competitive field.
2. Ability to research — although often tedious, having strong research skills as a lawyer is extremely important. Legal research is necessary to find the applicable laws, regulations, and case law that govern a particular legal issue. This helps lawyers determine the legal framework that applies to their clients’ situations. Doing the best research possible ultimately means being the best lawyer possible.
3. Passion for learning — From undergrad, to law school, to your first job in the law world and beyond, you will learn something new every single day. A passion for learning is essential for aspiring lawyers because the legal field is dynamic, with laws and regulations constantly evolving. This passion drives continuous professional development, mastery of diverse legal areas, and sharp problem-solving skills. It ensures that lawyers stay informed about ethical standards and best practices, adapt to changes, and provide effective, up-to-date counsel to their clients.
4. Being a people-person — having the skills to interact with people is crucial for those in the field of law because the profession involves constant interaction with clients, colleagues, judges, and juries. Strong interpersonal skills enable lawyers to build trust and rapport with clients, understand their needs and concerns, and communicate effectively.
5. Patience -The legal profession requires lots of patience. Mostly everything in law involves lengthy and complex procedures, requiring time to build strong cases, work with many people and listen to many opinions. Patience allows lawyers to thoroughly research and analyze legal issues, negotiate settlements, and endure extended trials without frustration. It also helps in managing client expectations and maintaining composure under pressure. By being patient, lawyers can provide thoughtful, strategic counsel and persevere through the inevitable delays and setbacks in their cases, ultimately achieving better outcomes for their clients.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this. :-)

If given the chance, I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Pat Riley. As a basketball genius, his ability to orchestrate the Miami Heat franchise with a focus on culture, hard work, and excellence is truly inspiring and aligns with the principles I strive to instill in my firm. Additionally, hearing firsthand stories about the Showtime Lakers, the Big Three era in Miami, and the intense Knicks-Heat rivalry would be an incredible experience.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

About the Interviewer: Eric L. Pines is a nationally recognized federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach. He represents federal employees and acts as in-house counsel for over fifty thousand federal employees through his work as a federal employee labor union representative. A formal federal employee himself, Mr. Pines began his federal employment law career as in-house counsel for AFGE Local 1923 which is in Social Security Administration’s headquarters and is the largest federal union local in the world. He presently serves as AFGE 1923’s Chief Counsel as well as in-house counsel for all FEMA bargaining unit employees and numerous Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs unions.

While he and his firm specialize in representing federal employees from all federal agencies and in reference to virtually all federal employee matters, his firm has placed special attention on representing Veteran Affairs doctors and nurses hired under the authority of Title. He and his firm have a particular passion in representing disabled federal employees with their requests for medical and religious reasonable accommodations when those accommodations are warranted under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (ADA). He also represents them with their requests for Federal Employee Disability Retirement (OPM) when an accommodation would not be possible.

Mr. Pines has also served as a mediator for numerous federal agencies including serving a year as the Library of Congress’ in-house EEO Mediator. He has also served as an expert witness in federal court for federal employee matters. He has also worked as an EEO technical writer drafting hundreds of Final Agency Decisions for the federal sector.

Mr. Pines’ firm is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. His first passion is his wife and five children. He plays classical and rock guitar and enjoys playing ice hockey, running, and biking. Please visit his websites at www.pinesfederal.com and www.toughinjurylawyers.com. He can also be reached at eric@pinesfederal.com.