John Hadl ’95, managing partner at Archer Venture Capital
What made you decide to pursue a career in entrepreneurship/venture capital/start-ups after NYU Law?
A frolic and a detour. A trip to southeast Asia during the first internet boom of 1996-2000.
How did NYU Law prepare you for this career?
The Law School taught me to spot and evaluate risk, albeit to overvalue and worry about risk.
Why do you think lawyers find success in this career path?
If they can learn to value opportunity correctly, then their legal training to issue spot will help price investments.
What was the biggest challenge you faced as a lawyer in this career path?
I was always slated to handle the legal questions versus the operational or—more importantly—the product related challenges.
What is the most important thing students should do while they are still at the Law School to prepare for a career in entrepreneurship, in venture capital or at a start-up?
Do a 4 year degree and add an MBA.
What was the most important lesson you learned in your career thus far?
Patience. Rarely does anything in venture truly happen quickly. Also, as Abraham Lincoln said, “the best way to predict your future is to create it.”
This interview has been edited.