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Meet Jack Duffley (BA, '18, history and economics). He started his own law firm, Duffley Law, before the age of 30 after being laid off. Three years later his firm now has two offices and has worked with over 1,000 clients. He said studying history taught him how to recognize patterns and parallels over time and taught him about human nature, which he draws on to make decisions for his firm.
Read on to learn more about his career.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in history?
I was one of those history buff kids, especially as I got into middle school and beyond. My father especially encouraged me to learn about historic events as a younger child, which likely played a major role as I got older. A history major seemed like a natural fit by the time I got to college.
Did you double major or minor in any other fields? Why did you choose to pair it with history?
I double majored in Economics and had a minor in business. I've always had an interest in money and how it moves around. And, fundamentally, economics is a study of human behavior and incentives. So it pairs nicely with history.
How did your degree in history prepare you for law school?
Law school is very reading and writing intensive. Studying history is similar in that sense. History is a set of arguments about the past. The practice of law tends to revolve around providing arguments and interpretation of rules against a set of facts.
What was your first job after college?
I worked some jobs while in undergrad (including being a leasing agent and a bank teller!). After graduating, I worked in property management in downtown Chicago full time while I attended law school at night. My first job as a licensed attorney was at a large law firm doing commercial real estate transactions.
How did you get from there to starting your own law firm?
I moved from Chicago to Houston, Texas while working for the same big firm I started with out of law school. I ended up getting let go in a group layoff shortly after moving. I had been thinking about starting my own firm prior to that (maybe a couple of years later), and I guess that decision was pulled forward sooner than expected. I launched my own law firm the day after getting laid off.
How does your degree in history inform your work?
History is not limited to a degree. While I did learn plenty during my undergrad years, I have learned more about history in the years since finishing my degree, both accidentally and intentionally. It all builds on itself. It helps to keep things in perspective and to be able to recognize patterns and parallels over time. I also believe that it helps to better understand human nature, which can be useful when making decisions.
What do you enjoy about your work?
Growing a law firm is quite different than practicing law. My role has evolved from providing one on one legal advice to trying to compile a great team of smart people who could provide a far more positive impact than I possibly could alone. I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility in this role, and the challenge is both exhausting but also fulfilling.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing work in your field?
Work product is king. This is also one of the core values at our firm. Your work product (i.e. the words you write, the advice you give, the service you provide, etc.) matters above all.
What is your proudest achievement?
I have a healthy and happy wife and son, with two more sons expected to be born soon! Second to that, I am happy to provide meaningful work to dozens of people at my law firm who have helped to serve thousands of clients to date.
To learn more about Jack, see his LinkedIn page.