Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders Cyrus Vance, Partner, Baker McKenzie - The Prosecutor's Dilemma: Navigating tough decision-making in the legal sector
A great thinker once said "what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right." Our guest on this episode has built his legacy on difficult, but hugely influential decision-making.
We're joined by Cyrus Vance Jr., best known for serving as New York County's top law enforcement officer for 12 years. As Manhattan District Attorney, he oversaw everything from white-collar fraud to cybercrime, human-trafficking, and even cold-case homicides. He's now a partner at global law firm, Baker Mackenzie, where he wears three hats, sitting in its litigation and government enforcement and global investigations and compliance groups, all while serving as Global Chair of the Cybersecurity Practice.
After graduating from Yale University and earning his JD from Georgetown Law Center, Cy entered his first stint in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in the office that he was later elected to lead. His career has taken him everywhere from Africa to the Pacific Northwest, and we're very fortunate to have him as a guest.
Highlights:
- Cyrus describes his background and journey to the Manhattan DA Office(2:58)
- Cyrus' father's influence on his career (4:42)
- What it's like to run for office, and learning how to operate in the public eye (6:02)
- Returning to work in the office: what was the same and what was different (7:39)
- The benefits and problems of working with large amounts of money (11:10)
- Developments in anti-corruption legislation, and heightening pressure on white-collar crime (15:06)
- Cyrus on if he regrets leaving office amongst the current prosecution of President Trump (19:31)
- What Cyrus learned from a business standpoint about managing a large team at the Manhattan DA Office (20:55)
- Cyrus' current goals as head of cybersecurity at Baker McKenzie (22:21)
- Cyrus discusses potentially writing a book in the future (24:16)
- Cyrus' hobbies and passion for motorcycles (26:57)
- What Cyrus would be doing if he didn't pursue a career in law (27:57)
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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.