We were lucky to catch up with Vadim Glozman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vadim, thanks for joining us today. Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

Initially, I was fortunate enough to work with the renowned Ed Genson — an extraordinarily talented and distinct individual whose criminal defense reputation far preceded him. Those in our field held him in high esteem because of his skillful ability to exploit hidden nuances and successfully defend some of the most influential and notorious figures in Chicago.

In my time alongside Ed, I was privy to his techniques and guidance — an experience that shaped my perception of what it means to be an exceptional attorney. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire due to medical reasons, and I was left with a choice to either accept an offer from one of several firms or branch out on my own.

I decided to take a chance on myself and began my endeavor by renting a workspace in another office. There, I picked up any work I could handle and slowly began to work my way up.

I would have to say the foundation for my choice to start my own law firm was developed during that time I worked with Ed. In observing him, I absorbed invaluable lessons in case preparation, navigating interactions with juries, judges and prosecutors, and — most importantly — establishing client relationships. I also acquired the ability to think both analytically and creatively, which helped me appreciate the individuality of each case and adapt my strategy from there.

Once I learned and embraced these attributes, I found it impossible to merge with an existing firm. I craved the autonomy to carefully select my cases and clients — to have the ability to shape my professional trajectory.

In the early days of my practice, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some really exceptional legal minds. These interactions not only provided further valuable insight, but also set firmly in place my continual drive for self-improvement. Without this early exposure to this knowledge base, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to step out on my own.

Over the last six years, I have built a practice committed to personalized representation — to providing honest and transparent counsel, even when it is difficult to do so. Looking back, I think each choice I made led me to where I stand today, and I am proud of those choices. I have made it a point to set myself apart in this profession by respecting the complexity and uniqueness of each client and case.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Growing up, I found myself continually feeling overlooked and underestimated. Rather than be consumed by these thoughts of powerlessness, I decided to pursue a career where I could help others feeling the same way.

My path was solidified the moment I began an internship at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Each day I was there, I witnessed people face the full weight of the judicial system — people living out the worst period of their lives in front of an audience. I remember feeling such a profound sense of empathy, and that empathy has been instilled in me ever since.

Flash forward to now, and I have built a practice centered on establishing client relationships based on trust and collaboration. A practice that embraces innovative approaches tailored to each individual case. While my extensive expertise is primarily focused on federal and white collar criminal defense, the scope of my practice is inclusive, with representation available for major federal cases all the way down to state misdemeanors.

As far as what I am most proud of, it would have to be the comprehensive experience I have gained throughout the years. I feel as though my background has molded me into a well-rounded lawyer able to provide my clients with representation in everything from high-stakes civil cases and grand jury investigations to appellate court and post-conviction relief.

Regardless of what my client and I face, I approach it with the meticulous care needed to ensure a favorable outcome. After all, it’s not just about reputation — it’s about safeguarding the lives of the people I represent.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Without a doubt, it’s the people I have represented. They are always my driving motivation and this makes a world of difference to them when they have their sense of security stripped away and are left vulnerable in a distressing situation. The responsibility I have to guide them them through these extenuating circumstances is one I take seriously.

As a lawyer, it’s vital that you value the opportunities to provide representation — to allow yourself to be humbled and energized by your clients and their circumstances. It is only then that you will be able to forgo any pretentiousness and truly fight on the behalf of each client. Trust me, they will take notice, and the reputation you build from this embrace of empathy and diligence is unparalleled.
On top of really embracing empathy, I have always prioritized preparedness — anticipating and planning for every possible situation or outcome. It’s only when you’ve paid meticulous attention to every aspect of a case that you’ll be able to think creatively whenever a roadblock occurs.

Essentially, I have always emphasized and lived by the values instilled upon me and by doing so, I have built a reputation in which I can be proud.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This one is difficult to pin down because there have been so many cases that had a considerable impact on my perspective of law, and, therefore, life. Watching time and again as the government conveniently selects whom they pursue — basically building their case in reverse — has been disconcerting to say the least.

The adversarial nature of the criminal justice system has also become blatantly obvious. It is not always that people are after the truth, but rather a victory. That epiphany of sorts made me aware of my strong desire to become an advocate of those targeted by this biased system.

Each time I am faced with a decision, I always think back to my own childhood as an underdog and to every experience I’ve had since then. I have, time and again, pivoted toward being a champion for those facing the darkest periods of their lives. I truly could not imagine myself doing anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glozmanlaw.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/law-offices-of-vadim-a-glozman
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgloz
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vglozman/

Image Credits
Hilary Higgins