Brandon J. DeCuir, 39
Partner, DeCuir, Clark & Adams
For the DeCuirs, law is a family affair. Brandon DeCuir is a partner at DeCuir, Clark & Adams, which was founded by his father, Winston Sr., and which employs his brother, Winston Jr. Brandon says the chance to litigate cases with his family is the most fulfilling part of his career. “I hope to expand DeCuir, Clark & Adams LLP, and successfully pass it to a third generation,” he says. DeCuir’s passions go well beyond law, though. He’s on the board of directors at the Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy, a nonprofit organization that helps children with special needs, and he has served on the board of the Louisiana chapter of the March of Dimes. He’s also a graduate of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber Leadership Program. It turns out Forty Under 40 honors run in the family as well—brothers Jason and Winston Jr. were bestowed the honor in 2006 and 2010, respectively.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Becoming managing partner of DeCuir, Clark & Adams LLP
- Expanding the practice areas within the firm
- Passing the bar exam
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
- Board of directors for The Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy. Hope Academy focuses on educating children with special needs.
- Board member, Hope Ministries.
- Former state chapter counsel and board member for the Louisiana March of Dimes.
- Former chair and current committee member, Belly up with the Bar, a fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Bar Association to support educational programs.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
To Kill a Mocking Bird and Inherit the Wind.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Doctor.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
Kenilworth Swim Club—11 or 12. Time goes real slow at work.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
None come to mind. All have been “normal.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Stroubes—Duck Tacos or Black and Blue.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Being accepted into and completing a master of laws (LL.M.) in Taxation. Having no background or course work in accounting or tax while in undergrad or law school made this quite challenging but fun.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
No need, adversarial process of litigation always gets me excited. More about relaxing and not rushing through it.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
The opportunity to litigate cases with my father and brother.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”
Learning from the mistakes, and realizing I had it right the whole time.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Using the U.S. Postal Service. Gives you more time.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Not every victory or win is good.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
The time it takes to draft and prepare documents. Instant communication has many believing legal services can be delivered the same way.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
50/50 professional, business causal. I always have suit in the closet at work.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
The next project or client—our practice is pretty diverse and something different is always occurring. Time—writing down everything in increments of one-tenth of one hour.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
Being asked to complete or participate in something because it’s not in their “wheelhouse.”
MAC OR PC?
PC.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Not so much, but I have Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Ten to 15 texts, 100 or more emails a day.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
15%.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
Seven.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
ESPN, to keep up with the NFL and college football.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Bluetooth, at least in my car.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Email.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
5:45 to 6 a.m., unless it’s a gym morning, then 4:15 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
At work.
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
Involved in the community whether through pro-bono, volunteer or in my neighborhood. If someone sees you making an effort to improve something, generally they will come along and be involved.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
When bills arrived, in my name.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
30th birthday, St. Lucia and Puerto Rico.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
First pocket knife, Swiss army, from my godfather.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
Fly … so I can get around the traffic in BR.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
None.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
Nothing really.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Before 5, coffee; when it’s noon somewhere, whiskey/scotch.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Hey Joe, Jimi Hendrix.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Tombstone.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
Snakes.
PETS?
Not in the last few years, but considering another dog.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?
I have represented a few in my practice, and no clue as to what song(s) made them famous.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
To expand DeCuir, Clark & Adams LLP, and successfully pass it to a third generation. Sure wish my brothers and I had children earlier in life—will be working for at this for a while…
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
People believing social media postings before the facts are known.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The diverse society we are becoming.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Follow your dreams, be persistent and never let failure be an obstacle to another try.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Yes. Born, raised and invested here with family and business.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
The parish coming together as one for the betterment of all.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Fly a plane
- Backpack the Appalachian Trail
- Run with the bulls in Pamplona
