Sohan Dasgupta, JD, PhD, is a versatile and integrative strategist whose work reflects a deep commitment to public service and principled leadership. He has represented clients before federal and state courts as well as before governmental agencies and Congress; and he has argued cases before several U.S. Courts of Appeals.
In addition to his private sector experience, Dr. Dasgupta has held senior leadership roles in the federal government. He served as Special Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education and as Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he contributed to investigations, regulatory and compliance initiatives, crisis management, and litigation.
In 2025, Dr. Dasgupta was appointed Assistant Secretary for Trade and Economic Security, collaborating with senior government officials to strengthen the nation’s trade and economic resilience. Dr. Dasgupta has also drawn on his broad experience to lead the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a federal agency of approximately 300 professionals and with approximately $5.8 billion in budget. Under his leadership, MCC advanced its mission and emerged as a dynamic center of economic statecraft and innovation supporting the long-term interests of the United States.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins very early with quiet reflection, grounding me in gratitude. By 6:00, I am working, usually prioritizing the key tasks visible within the time horizon. Sometimes, mornings are for deep thinking and analyses; afternoons for more cooperative endeavors such as meetings. Evenings wrap with reading—what I need to do short-term or readings on philosophy or jurisprudence—to sharpen perspective. And of course, one’s family and friends—the greatest blessings. Productivity stems from sustained focus, and noting one lesson learned each day. This rhythm is designed to balance rigor with renewal, ensuring sustained impact.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas might sometimes spark in conversation or solitude but execution demands structure. I sketch concepts on paper, then test against evidence—examples, data, ethics. Collaboration refines them: I consult an intellectually diverse set of minds, embracing critique. Persistence through iteration turns abstraction into execution. I have seen ideas become ossified and then codified. Humility should guide this enterprise: credit the team, learn from failures. This methodical yet open process transforms thought into tangible change.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of AI in legal research excites me profoundly. This trend is not replacement but augmentation, empowering thoughtful lawyering. It aligns with my belief in technology as a robust force that we may need to thoughtfully and sagaciously deploy.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Consistency. Daily introspection and reflection anchors my productivity. It clarifies priorities, reveals patterns, and fosters accountability. It helps me prioritize the important tasks and builds wisdom. This habit turns chaos into clarity, ensuring energy aligns with purpose. Simple, private, profound—it is my compass in complex cases.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Embrace uncertainty and discomfort as teacher, not foe. It is tempting to chase certainty but in the long run, it is judicious to value process—rigorous preparation, thoughtful choices. Listen more than speak; a heterogeneity of ideas and perspectives can help enrich judgment. Cultivate resilience through small failures, not grand successes. Read widely beyond law—history, literature—to cultivate your mind and framework. Finally, prioritize relationships; mentorship and kindness compound like interest. Youthful ambition is fuel, but tempered humility sustains a meaningful career. And of course, be kind to everyone—lowest to highest. Respecting their dignity honors your own. The greatest tribute you can pay the universe is by honoring the dignity of all.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe saying “I don’t know” at the appropriate moment is a sign of strength, not weakness.
I believe that you can be both highly ambitious and genuinely kind — those traits are not opposites.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Practice active listening. In my personal or professional life, I suspend judgment, paraphrase to confirm understanding, and probe gently. This uncovers truths, defuses conflict, and builds trust. Pausing reveals nuance. It transforms adversarial into collaborative, yielding better outcomes and deeper connections. Simple, yet transformative.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I pause, breathe deeply, and move forward. Then, I engage with some meaningful action to regain momentum. Reflecting on “Why this matters” reconnects me to purpose. This is recalibration, acknowledging limits while honoring commitments. It can help us model sustained excellence.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building community through genuine mentorship has propelled my life. I endeavor to dedicate substantial time to guiding young lawyers and others. This fosters trust, community, and inspiration. Invest in others’ growth; doors open quietly.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Buy cheap bank loans from stressed regional banks, rewrite them at 20% interest for the borrowers. This banks clean balance sheets and you can make 50-60% returns. There are billions available right now.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
CapIQ Excel with my own macros. One click pulls every loan covenant and stresses my whole portfolio for rate hikes or recessions. Saves hours every day.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
On a present for a family member.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I have always appreciated Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Small, consistent improvements compound into meaningful long-term results. The framework applies perfectly to anything we do in life, as incremental progress often is dispositive.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). These films highlight the virtues of duty, honor, service, and sacrifice.
Key learnings
- Authentic generosity and magnanimity help build community.
- Setbacks can yield valuable life lessons when they are analyzed with candid introspection, humility, and feedback.
- Small things we do and contributions we make can sustain focus and generate long-term benefits.
- Every kind gesture has meaning and is honored.