Top Lawyers: John Fanburg Of Brach Eichler On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law

You don’t get business by eating lunch at your desk. You need to be out there to meet people and to get to know them. My best clients have become my friends.

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 John Fanburg.

John Fanburg, Managing Member at Brach Eichler LLC and Chair of its Healthcare practice, has more than 35 years of experience in health and hospital law, with an emphasis on corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters for physicians and healthcare institutions. In addition, as Co-Chair of Brach Eichler’s Cannabis Industry Practice, John provides counsel to companies and individuals who seek to participate in New Jersey’s growing medicinal cannabis industry.

John has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© since 2003, the New Jersey Super Lawyers list for several years in a row, and was recognized as a Top Legal Leader for New York and New Jersey by American Lawyer Media (ALM) in 2015.

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 was very fortunate to grow up with two sets of grandparents. One grandfather was a physician and the other grandfather was an attorney. As such, based upon my interests in “law” school, I veered towards law in tribute and in honor of my affection for my “lawyer” grandfather.

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

My practice focus is on health care transactions including, but not limited to, the formation of multi and single specialty physician groups, practice purchases and sales to private equity and hospital systems. In addition, due to the highly regulated nature of health care, I work closely with the strategic planning and navigation of all types of health care providers (physicians, ASCs, nursing homes, health care systems and hospitals).

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?

Patience, confidence, and motivation as well as being a good listener and understanding the client’s needs.

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

Luck is spelled “WORK”. I have been fortunate to work with attorneys who have found the time to train and teach.

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?

No. A top tier law school will get you into Big Law but it does not necessarily mean a good fit or future success.

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 would recommend to my “younger self” to continue to listen carefully to not only your clients and understand your clients’ needs, but also your colleagues and how to grow them professionally and assist them in providing more mentoring and learning opportunities.

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

Being there for your clients and being knowledgeable about their business.

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

Forming large single and multi-specialty physician-owned groups. I am concerned as to how private equity and corporate America will influence the practice and provision of health care.

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

To be a good teacher to younger lawyers and to continue to counsel clients to meet their needs.

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 like working with people and sharing experience. The practice of law is a “team sport” and requires collaboration and connection. The only way to effectively do that is in person. Clearly, there will be exceptions, but I believe in going to an office and working with people in person.

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?

The legal world has changed in that there are no longer any boundaries between day, night, weekend, etc. Calling and speaking to clients and colleagues on the phone has given way to e-mail traffic 24/7. I miss the verbal communication with my clients, colleagues and counterparts. Hopefully in time, we will move more towards verbal communication which, in many respects, can resolve disputes or answer questions in a much more efficient way than e-mail traffic back and forth multiple times.

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

You don’t get business by eating lunch at your desk. You need to be out there to meet people and to get to know them. My best clients have become my friends.

Excellent. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law?” Please share a story or an example for each.

1. Patience

2. Motivation

3. Confidence

4. Humility

5. Humor

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. :-)

My grandparents. I miss them every day.

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