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Neither the opinions expressed in any article, editorial, column, or book review nor their content
represent the official view of the Rhode Island Bar Association or the views of its members.
professional connections with people that I might not have crossed paths
with otherwise, which is great. In the remote world, we’ve lost the casual
conversations that occur while walking into the building, stopping into
someone’s office, or getting lunch, so you have to make them happen.
For me, that’s been reaching out to people and setting up 30-minute Zoom
introductions or establishing monthly catch-up meetings with mentors. While
scheduling set times to replace the organic in-person conversations takes
a bit more forethought, I think it has definitely expedited my integration and
opened lines of communication.
>
Who is your biggest inspiration inside or outside of law?
Steph Curry. I admire the way he carries himself and the joy with which
he plays basketball. He displays a level of confidence that inspires others
to follow his lead and simultaneously shows respect for everyone that he
encounters. That way of being is admirable and can be applied beyond
sports and law to life in general
>
What do you do to de-stress?
I go to the gym. I get up at 4 AM and
workout from 5-7 AM. Knowing that
I have that time to myself each day to
Focus on the Future is a spotlight series where members of the Rhode
Island Bar Journal Editorial Board interview attorneys who are newer to
the Rhode Island Bar.
>
What is your current title and position?
I am Counsel at ESPN.
>
What do you actually do all day?
I support certain business units within ESPN, including music, sales &
marketing, business development, and travel. I also handle legal matters
related to certain sports and leagues such as Little League baseball, profes-
sional softball, and bowling. My work is contract-focused, but it touches
many areas within ESPN.
>
Prior to your position at ESPN, when you lived in NY, did you have
any celebrity sightings you want to tell us about?
Unfortunately, no. I saw a bunch of filming on location but no celebrity
encounters during my time in NY.
>
Can you tell us one thing you have learned while being a new
attorney?
I have learned the importance of building a collaborative relationship
and maintaining open lines of communication with clients. The best
attorney-client relationships often arise from clients viewing attorneys as
trusted, business-minded confidants working towards their goals rather than
obstacles who slow things down. Building that relationship takes time, and
it’s important to demonstrate to clients that we appreciate the need to keep
the process moving forward while also identifying and addressing potential
risks associated with taking certain actions.
>
We have done a few of these interviews now and several of the
new attorneys we have talked to mention the value of having
a good reputation, even early on in your legal career. Have you
thought much about this issue yet?
Absolutely. I started building my reputation in the legal community during
law school when I served as an intern at the United States District Court for
the District of Rhode Island and as a summer associate at a global law firm
in New York. During those opportunities, I sought to demonstrate profes-
sionalism, build trust, and make the lives of my supervisors easier by asking
pertinent questions and taking ownership of my work assignments. I think
building your reputation starts with establishing a strong support system so
you can lean on your mentors in moments of uncertainty. For that reason,
I make an effort to meet other professionals in my industry to learn about
their career paths, and I try to share my knowledge and experience with new
attorneys entering the workforce.
>
How has it been integrating into a new job in an all remote or
mostly remote post-pandemic world? How have the mentorship
and communication been?
It’s certainly been an adjustment, but it’s pushed me to actively seek
Continued on next page
An Interview With Koye Idowu, Esq.
by Nicole P. Dyszlewski, Esq., MLIS and Meghan L. Hopkins, Esq.
HOPKINSDYSZLEWSKI
FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
KOYE IDOWU, ESQ.
32 January/February 2022 Rhode Island Bar Journal
unwind and rest my mind is huge for me. I also listen to podcasts daily. My
favorites are The Ryen Russillo podcast, The Joe Budden podcast, Higher
Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, Brian Windhorst & The Hoop
Collective, New Rory & MAL, and Small Talk with Michelle Smallmon, and
Steve Ceruti.
>
Snooze button or nah?
Nope. And no coffee either.
>
What is your favorite restaurant in Rhode Island?
Nino’s Pizza in Cranston. It reminds me of my childhood!
>
Name one thing that you could not live without and why?
Peanut butter. I have it every day.
>
You haven’t really established your new office yet. How will you
decorate your office?
The décor will be sports themed and definitely will include some Steph
Curry memorabilia and items from my favorite sports teams (Red Sox,
Patriots, and Celtics). There will be pictures of my girlfriend and I, and I will
also have some music-themed décor mixed in there like my Chance the
Rapper “Coloring Book” poster.
>
What do you want attorneys to know about being in-house
counsel?
It is hard to say because I’m still learning myself. From the perspective
of a firm attorney, it may look like being in-house counsel is less onerous
because there is only one client. However, this job presents its own unique
challenges. Despite the perception that in-house counsel only have one
client, we all have multiple clients within the various business units that
we support with unpredictable schedules and deadlines. One very different
aspect of life as in-house counsel is that, unlike the law firm model of spe-
cializing in a particular area of the law, I’m able to experience various areas
of law, which has afforded me the opportunity to develop a broader set of
skills. I frequently encounter new and interesting issues to consider, which
keeps my day-to-day fresh and interesting. It’s a great experience for a new
attorney, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing in my role.
MARK A. PFEIFFER
Alternative Dispute Resolution Services
www.mapfeiffer.com
Bringing over four decades of experience as a Superior
Court judge, financial services industry regulator, senior
banking officer, private attorney, arbitrator, mediator,
receiver, and court appointed special master to facilitate
resolution of legal disputes.
ARBITRATION MEDIATION PRIVATE TRIAL
(401) 253-3430 / adr@mapfeiffer.com
86 State St., Bristol, RI 02809
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Our Bar Association is proud to offer mentorship opportunities to
our members, promoting professional development and collegiality,
and assistance and guidance in the practice of law. Experienced
practitioners can share their wealth of knowledge and experience
with mentees, and mentees receive a helping hand as they begin,
or revitalize, their legal careers. Over the years, the Bar Association
has matched numerous new members with seasoned attorneys,
and we would like to refresh our directory.
For traditional mentoring, our program matches new lawyers,
one-on-one with experienced mentors, in order to assist with law
practice management, effective client representation, and career
development. If you would like to volunteer and serve as a mentor,
please visit ribar.com, select the MEMBERS ONLY area, and
complete the Mentor Application form and return it to the listed
contact.
As an alternative, the Bar Association also offers the Online Attorney
Information Resource Center (OAR), available to Bar members
through the MEMBERS ONLY section of the Bar’s website, to help
members receive timely and direct volunteer assistance with
practice-related questions.
If you have any questions about either form of mentoring, or if you
would like to be paired with a mentor through our traditional pro-
gram, please contact Communications Director Erin Cute by email:
ecute@ribar.com, or telephone: 401-421-5740.
Bar Association Mentor Programs
Rhode Island Bar Journal January/February 2022 33
