In addition to his work as an elected State Representative, John Shaban has over three decades of experience as a commercial litigation attorney and law firm partner. He has provided legal counsel to corporate officers and directors leading both domestic and international businesses. He has a strong background in energy and environmental law, and has also worked on cases involving product liability, commercial real estate, and securities issues. Since 2019 John Shaban has managed the Connecticut office of Levine & Levine based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Before that he worked as a partner at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan from 2003 to 2018. During the same period his public service included three terms as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, 135th Assembly District, and a US Congressional campaign in 2016. He served as a Clerk with the Supreme Court of New York Appellate Division in 1992, and began his career in 1993 at Kelley Drye & Warren in New York and Connecticut. John Shaban graduated cum laude from the Pace University School of Law with a degree in environmental law. He was a member of the university’s Law Review and earned several awards in National Moot Court, including Best Oralist and Best Brief. In addition to his degree and American Bar Association certification, he maintains certification as a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., arbitrator. In addition to his work as an elected State Representative, John Shaban has over three decades of experience as a commercial litigation attorney and law firm partner. He has provided legal counsel to corporate officers and directors leading both domestic and international businesses. He has a strong background in energy and environmental law, and has also worked on cases involving product liability, commercial real estate, and securities issues. Since 2019 John Shaban has managed the Connecticut office of Levine & Levine based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Before that he worked as a partner at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan from 2003 to 2018. During the same period his public service included three terms as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, 135th Assembly District, and a US Congressional campaign in 2016. He served as a Clerk with the Supreme Court of New York Appellate Division in 1992, and began his career in 1993 at Kelley Drye & Warren in New York and Connecticut.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I focus mainly on my law practice these days. Still devote some time to my community efforts and my NFP, and still coach youth football. Watching my youngest play college football.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Creativity comes in all forms and at all times. Whether I’m solving client problems or creating a new business strategy for my clients, I often resort to dictating most of them to myself and then shape them into cogent business and or plans.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m sure everyone says this, but AI has a lot of potential in a lot of different industries.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Working out, lifting weights. I find the physical exertion often foments mental productivity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Always bet on yourself but take advice along the way. Don’t let the naysayers or cowards slow you down or sour your attitude. Also include a little more empathy.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I am a staunch believer in our nation, and that the American experiment continues to be the greatest force for good, freedom, and human advancement in the history of our civilization. When people make myopic comments about what’s happening today, they often do so in an intellectual vacuum and not appreciate how far we have all come.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Coach children.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Practice putting.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Practice makes perfect, and age breeds wisdom. In my mid-40s, I started to realize that, while I still had a lot to learn, I was at least as talented as most of the people in the environment I was in. By believing in myself and being myself, I have been able to advance my legal career, get elected multiple times, and look myself in the mirror, able to say that, when I have failed, it was not for the lack of effort.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my legal career I, like a lot of other recent graduates at the top their class, believed that I was more valuable to an operation than I likely was. It’s a common mistake by young professionals and one that I have not repeated.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Dictation software! Through law school, lawyering, and politics, I use an innate ability to dictate from the top of my head and capture 80% of a final written product. It saves time and allows me to hit on all portions of my intellect and talent.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I enjoy a host of historical fiction because it informs me of the path mankind has been on, errors in the past, and a point of comparison to appreciate where things are today.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I have always enjoyed the Star Trek movies and productions. I find them optimistic, entertaining, and intellectually challenging. I started as an astrophysics major in college before turning to political science and pre-law. Astronomy and space continue to be a hobby and an interest.
Key learnings
- Listen to advice and constructive criticism when starting out – overestimating your value to an operation is a common mistake by recent graduates and young professionals.
- Self-confidence, authenticity, and practice are keys to both success and growth – if you fail, it won’t be for lack of effort.
- Don’t downplay or undervalue your knowledge and skillsets.
- Dictation software and dictation skills are beneficial to productivity, problem-solving, and idea execution.