I am Jonathan Feniak, J.D., M.B.A., serving as General Counsel and Head of Finance at LLC Attorney, where I lead legal and financial strategies with a rich background in both law and business.
Company: LLC Attorney
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Jonathan Feniak : My name is Jonathan Feniak, and I’m someone who thrives at the intersection of law and business. I bring to the table a comprehensive educational background that includes a JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where I was honored to graduate with distinction, as well as an MBA from Rutgers University Graduate School of Management, which has greatly expanded my business insight.
My professional journey has been diverse, stretching across the realms of financial services and legal consultancy. I’ve had the privilege of contributing my expertise to start-ups, as well as established entities like hedge funds and large alternative investment firms. Additionally, I’ve worked within the structured environment of “wirehouse” broker-dealers. Over time, I’ve also held various licenses, including being a Broker-Dealer Agent and an Investment Advisor Representative in multiple states.
As a licensed practitioner of law in both Colorado and Wyoming, I bring a multi-faceted perspective to my clients, offering them a blend of strong legal advocacy and financial agility. The essence of my company revolves around providing sharp and strategic legal advice to clients, with a special focus on the financial industry. We aim to navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape, ensuring our clients not only comply with the law but also leverage it to their strategic advantage. Our goal is to be the legal backbone for our clients, and our vision is to assist them in achieving their business objectives with clarity and confidence.
What does success mean to you beyond financial growth, and how has your definition evolved over time?
Jonathan Feniak : Success, to me, goes far beyond the realm of financial growth. Initially, I viewed success primarily as career advancement and financial security. But over time, my definition has expanded and deepened due to my experiences in both law and business. Today, I define success as a multidimensional achievement that encompasses professional fulfillment, positive impact, and personal growth.
Being in the legal field, I’ve learned that professional fulfillment is a vital aspect of success. Every time I am able to navigate the complexities of the law to the benefit of a client, it reaffirms the sense of purpose in my work. Success means not only excelling in the legal and financial intricacies of a case but also upholding justice and ethical standards. Throughout my career, the moments where I’ve been able to make a difference or shift an outcome for the better have been far more rewarding than any financial compensation.
Can you share a specific failure or major setback that unexpectedly led to a significant breakthrough in your career?
Jonathan Feniak : I can recount an instance that, though challenging at the time, became instrumental in my professional growth. Early in my career, I had been involved with a start-up hedge fund that, despite a promising vision and a strong team, struggled to gain the necessary traction due to a combination of market conditions and regulatory challenges. My role encompassed both legal and financial responsibilities, and the pressure was immense to ensure success in an unforgiving environment.
Unfortunately, the start-up didn’t survive. The failure hit us hard, particularly because the team and I had invested a substantial amount of time and resources into making it work. At first glance, it seemed like a significant blow to my career—particularly in the financial landscape—given how competitive the field is, and how failures can sometimes be misperceived as a lack of competence.
However, this setback turned out to be a turning point for me. It taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, risk management, and the importance of agile adaptation to regulatory frameworks. These insights propelled me to deepen my expertise in financial legal regulations, leading me to focus on this niche in both my legal practice and further education. I channeled the experience into becoming more adept at navigating the complexities of financial law and regulations—skills that are highly regarded in the industry.
How do you measure personal fulfillment and impact in your role as an entrepreneur or CEO?
Jonathan Feniak : Personal fulfillment comes from knowing that I am leveraging my legal expertise and business acumen to solve complex problems and create value. Whether it’s aiding a client to navigate through an intricate legal situation or helping a startup establish a strong legal and financial foundation, the sense of accomplishment I get from using my unique skill set is immense. This satisfaction grows when I see the tangible results of my work and when my advice leads to successful outcomes for my clients or businesses.
Given my background in financial services, from start-ups to large investment firms, I also measure my impact through the growth and stability of the entities I am involved with. As a leader, it’s gratifying to see businesses flourish, whether by securing sound investments, establishing robust compliance frameworks, or driving operational improvements. Seeing the companies grow, generating employment, and fostering economic growth in their respective sectors is a clear indicator of a positive impact.
What unconventional advice or practice has helped you overcome challenges and redefine your approach to business?
Jonathan Feniak : In the realm of business, particularly when blending the intricacies of law and finance, one unconventional piece of advice that has profoundly influenced my approach is embracing the philosophy of ‘thinking like a contrarian.’ There’s a tendency in the business world to follow well-trodden paths, but I’ve found that innovation often comes from challenging conventional wisdom and seeking perspectives that are at odds with the mainstream.
A practice that has been pivotal for me, especially in addressing complex legal and financial issues, is adopting a multidisciplinary approach. By treating law not just as a set of rules but as a dynamic framework that interacts with various aspects of a business, I’ve been able to devise solutions that are both legally sound and strategically advantageous.
My MBA and paralegal training have been instrumental in this regard. They have allowed me to understand and leverage business principles while ensuring compliance and due diligence from a legal standpoint. Furthermore, my extensive work with startups has taught me the value of agility and the importance of being able to pivot strategies rapidly in response to changing market conditions or regulatory landscapes.
Combining these lessons, I’ve redefined my approach to be more holistic, adaptive, and sometimes contrarian, enabling me to provide counsel and guidance that not only mitigates risk but also creates avenues for growth and innovation. This mindset has been essential in overcoming challenges and has consistently added value to the firms and clients I have had the privilege to work with.
How have your setbacks shaped the culture and values of your organization? Can you give an example of how these values are reflected in daily operations?
Jonathan Feniak : As a legal professional with a comprehensive background that crosses into financial services, I’ve faced several setbacks that have not only tested my resilience but have also become critical in shaping the culture and values within my organization. These experiences have taught me the importance of adaptability, thoroughness, and ethical considerations in legal practice, all of which are now integral to our organization’s culture.
One significant example of how our values manifest in day-to-day operations is through our commitment to due diligence. Drawing from my extensive legal and financial background, I’ve instilled a culture where every case, transaction, or advisory service is handled with meticulous attention to detail. This ensures that we not only adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards but also provide our clients with the utmost quality of service.
Moreover, setbacks related to navigating regulatory compliance within multiple jurisdictions have emphasized the value of continuous learning and staying current with evolving laws and regulations. As such, our organization prioritizes ongoing education and training for our team. This ensures that everyone, from paralegals to senior attorneys, is well-versed in the latest legal practices, which in turn provides our clients with cutting-edge legal advice.
Another core value shaped by past challenges is the drive for innovation. Having a background in both start-ups and larger firms, I’ve experienced the limitations of traditional legal approaches first-hand. In our daily operations, we strive to blend conventional legal strategies with innovative solutions, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and client outcomes.
The setbacks have taught me the importance of transparency and communication. Our clients are always informed about their cases, the potential risks, and the strategies employed. This reflects our commitment to building trust and maintaining strong client relationships, which are the cornerstone of our practice.