- Member Spotlight
Ray E. Jones, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Columbia, SC
NABL gives attorneys from around the country an opportunity to build relationships. It is wonderful to be able to meet attorneys in person at NABL conferences/events with whom we’ve worked on deals.
Tell us something about yourself.
I’m a married (27 years to my college sweetheart) father of 3 (twin 21-year olds in college and a 17-year-old in high school). I’ve been at Parker Poe for 22 years and engaged in the public finance practice since I joined. This practice area is a good fit for me as I’m a finance major and find litigation tedious! I also like the “team sport” aspect of working on transactions with other public finance lawyers from around the country.
I live and work in my hometown of Columbia, SC, and am blessed to have a special group of public finance colleagues in my office and around our Firm.
What inspired you to join NABL in 2000?
Initially, I was looking for resources to learn the substance of the practice. I also wanted access to the conferences, which I’ve always found helpful.
How has your NABL membership benefited your career?
There’s no better resource than NABL to develop substantive knowledge about this area of practice. Likewise, NABL gives attorneys from around the country an opportunity to build relationships. It is wonderful to be able to meet attorneys in person at NABL conferences/events with whom we’ve worked on deals.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
No matter the circumstances, just “do the work” with humility and patience.
Which book and/or podcasts have you enjoyed and would recommend for others?
I actually enjoy the Bond Buyer podcast to track current events in our industry. In terms of books, the one that I read a few years ago but continues to resonate is Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. For sheer entertainment, I enjoy Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast.