Jonathan Sablone is an experienced attorney who provides clients with a range of finance-based legal consulting services through Sablone Advisory, LLC, which he founded in March 2026. Previously, he served as managing director and chief litigation officer at the global private equity firm Delta Capital Partners Management, LLC.
Jonathan Sablone spent four years in this position, managing a litigation and arbitration spanning industries such as financial services, natural resources, and life sciences. Mr. Sablone also previously served as partner at DLA Piper LLP, where he chaired the Global Private Funds Dispute Team. Before that, he spent nearly 25 years as an attorney at Nixon Peabody LLP. As chair of its Complex Commercial Disputes Practice Group, he managed a team of 180 lawyers responsible for litigating commercial disputes and cross-border issues involving the US, UK, and offshore jurisdictions.
Complementing his experience as a lawyer, Jonathan Sablone holds a juris doctor from Boston College Law School and a bachelor of arts in government from Harvard University. He is a recipient of the William Rodman Peabody Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service and has been a featured speaker at several industry conferences, including Offshore Alert Conference and the IQPC Securities Litigation Conference.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I wake up early in order to service clients in the UK, returning emails and getting on phone calls / video meetings by 5:30 AM. I typically work several hours and then work out, which is typically a 5-6 mile run and lifting session, and shower. I then settle in for a full day of work in my time zone. In the afternoon, I usually take a break in the afternoon as I may have to be on video in the evening for client matters in Australia and/or Asia. Taking breaks to work out, run errands, or just have some personal time in a typical workday makes me more productive as it provides a mental break in what otherwise might be an 18-work workday.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I do my best thinking in the early morning along with my one coffee of the day – 12 ounces of an Italian blend Nespresso. In between working on client matters, I think about business development and trends in the industry. When inspiration hits, I will scope out an article, a LinkedIn post, or just bullet points. Those ideas are later incorporated into my practice, or in a thought leadership piece whether written or oral via a podcast or video.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The ability of solo practitioners, such as myself, to compete with the largest organizations on the planet utilizing technology is a total game changer. A laptop, a mobile phone, and the proper skillset and experience allows anyone in the world to provide great value to clients commensurate with the best law firms. Utilizing AI as an appropriate tool (not a substitute for judgment) has only accelerated this trend. I could not have been anywhere near as a successful even a few years ago (pre-Covid) before technology leveled the playing field.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Getting up early and keeping to a rigid routine in the morning starts the day on a productive note. Staying focused and accomplishing tasks is often a matter of getting the proper start. The old adage that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step applies to every business task. Being productive begins with the proper start.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient in all things. During the early days of my career, I tended to rush tasks, not because I was lazy but because I thought I had mastered a complex problem or task. In reality, letting time pass (within a deadline) and revisiting analysis / work product can make a huge difference. I have found that letting my mind focus on other tasks—business, personal, workout, etc. —often helps ideas develop in a way that nonstop focus cannot.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I do not believe that artificial intelligence will replace professionals in the workplace. The amount of chatter about AI taking people’s jobs is misplaced. Technology has certainly reduced or eliminated certain jobs over the years—think toll takers, bank tellers, cashiers, etc. —but technology has always allowed workers and professionals to focus on core functions where they can add more value. The same is true with AI, which is a tool and not a replacement for professionals to utilize so they can focus on more highly complex and specialized tasks.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I am fastidious about managing incoming communications: email, texts, phone calls, etc. It is never an excuse that something “fell to the bottom of your inbox” or that you were too busy to return an email or call from a client or someone you know. It seems that, especially post-Covid, it has become commonplace to ignore emails or ghost people. I would recommend a professional response to all personalized communications within a reasonable time period. If you cannot manage the communication influx, then find a tool to help.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a break and either read or watch something on television (usually sports related). I also find that some physical activity is helpful, but not a workout: a round of golf in the summer or a ski outing in the winter. Stepping away from a problem and letting your mind reset and refocus almost always puts the problem in perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Always be responsive. One of my former managing partners used to say that it is better to give the client most of the answer on time than the perfect answer too late. Immediately respond to any inquiry with an answer, or an acknowledgement that you understand the issue and are working on the problem and will get an answer in a reasonable time. Most clients, and people in general, want to know that you are available and on top of the issue. Responsiveness is critical to growing your business and keeping clients coming back.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Offer to provide a free service to a new client. Sometimes we spend many hours and a lot of money on marketing campaigns, but refuse to provide our service for free. I would rather spend a few hours providing a free service so that the client can see the value than creating marketing materials.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use LinkedIn to stay connected to my clients, colleagues, and network. It is an amazing tool for driving business and getting ideas out into the marketplace. It also happens to be free! I post thought leadership articles, podcasts, blogs, business updates, etc. and reach out to people with direct messages. It helps to create a track record for my business and to stay current in the ideas marketplace.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
Like most professionals, I never used Zoom or other video tools prior to Covid. When Covid hit, I purchased a $20 camera for my home office and never thought about replacing it since it works fine. Recently, I bought a more expensive camera and microphone (still under $100) and the change has been amazing. You would not show up to a meeting wearing dingy clothes, so do not have a video conference using subpar equipment. I wish I had upgraded years ago.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I am huge fan of Charles Schlutz and the Peanuts comic strips. Snoopy, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. My office is adorned with Peanuts art and memorabilia. I have found that book collections of Peanuts comic strips always make me smile and relaxed. Also, there is an awful lot of life sciences to be found in the adventures of Snoopy and the other characters. Charles Shultz was, in many ways, a dispenser of wonderful life advice.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I very much enjoyed the Ted Lasso series and am thrilled that it is returning for another season. The show reminds us that everyone has pain, but that the best of us embrace it without losing our sense of humour. Decent people make mistakes, but should still manage to treat others well, forgive themselves, and make a positive contribution. Also, air conditioning is a privilege and not a right.
Key learnings
- Be responsive and proactive.
- Don’t let prior failures determine your current path.
- Be patient and don’t rush work products or advice.
- Take a break and do something enjoyable, as it will reset your perspective.
- You are never too old to enjoy Snoopy.