Matteo Godi - Anatomy of a Career Journey in an Era of "You Don't Know"

Four years and seven months is a long time to be a junior lawyer in Big Law. Careers can start creeping toward the phenomenon of "aging out" in that up-or-out system. 

In coaching I have guided others who lasted longer in Big Law but eventually had to reset. For all, the experience was emotionally wrenching. Most created their own small law firm. Universally they regretted "hanging on" in hopes of partnership instead of "taking care of themselves" before they were overqualified for myriad other options. 

Well, last July, litigation associate at Paul, Weiss Matteo Godi, after hitting that time situation, moved on to academia. As his LinkedIn profile details he is an assistant professor at the USC Gould School of Law. From my own experience in academia that career path can also be up-or-out. Lots of junior members are hired at elite institutions of higher education and lots disappear. 

But even before the possible challenge of "aging out" Godi encountered quite a challenge. In 2022, Politico broke the story that this former clerk for Judge Jackson, now SCOTUS Justice Jackson, had hacked Wiki. Anonymously, he positioned and packaged her as very liberal and her possible contenders for that SCOTUS nomination as less so. 

At that time of the Politico outing Godi, with a JD from prestigious Yale, was an associate at Paul, Weiss. He kept his job there. 

When I called him to verify that he was still at Paul, Weiss, he hung up on me. Not being an investigative journalist I didn't have the experience or contacts to dig. I tried to pitch the story to those in that hyper niche but there were no takers. Recall that Davis Polk fired an associate - Ryan Power - for publishing opinion pieces critical of Trump administration policies. In Big Law, you never know about employment security. 

Matteo publishes. He is also active in social such as Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DOMF1DFCfGi/). Here on Blue Sky he has 119 followers (https://bsky.app/profile/matteogodi.bsky.social). He had been interviewed on a podcast for the Institute for Justice. So, he is aware of what to do in the current academic game. 

But, also in academia, you never know. I have coached those who were stunned not to be promoted from assistant to associate professor. They assumed they were doing so well. 

Meanwhile, in more sectors, it's become a you-never-know. As I hammer in this Substack column there was a time when you did know. Or at least could read the vibes. That is, you sensed you were going to be laid off. You could "get in front of the layoff" by starting to job search before a glut of those with similar skills hit the market after the RIF. No more. Layoffs come out of nowhere and the areas hit hadn't been targeted.

Oh, there are those who are convinced they do know. What they know is that that they are special. They will hold on. Eventually we get together for a complimentary coaching session. I have to break through the residual shock to envision a next.

I will continue to follow Godi's career. 

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we liberate your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success. Meanwhile, we focus on bringing in income. That puts you in a position of strength.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.

 


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