Attorney Mark Sadoff is based in Paris, and practices international business law as a partner with Shubert Collin Associates, a French law firm founded by an American lawyer. Sadoff has extensive experience in international transactions. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Institut Léonard de Vinci, teaching about purchasing agreements.
A graduate of East Lansing High School, Sadoff is an alumnus of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, and of Wayne Law School. After law school graduation, he worked in Detroit for the former Butzel Keidan Simon Meyers and Graham. In 1987, he was an attorney-advisor in the Office of the Chief Counsel for Import Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce in D.C.
He took a job in France with a subsidiary of the Saint-Gobain Group, then moved to Paris as chief contracts counsel before returning to Saint-Gobain as divisional general counselor for the Insulation Activity of the Distribution Sector. He now is back to private practice with Shubert Collin Associates.
Courtesy of Wayne Law School
Hometown: East Lansing
What are some of the key differences between French law and American law? The key difference that most people will see and feel is that France, as a civil law system, legislates about everything. Of course, as a major member of the European Union since its founding (but for how much longer after Brexit?), a large percentage of the legislation has come from the EU legislative system, such as transposition of directives. Beyond that, the major shocks in the French legal system for an American stand in the areas of labor law — the codification of French labor law runs to about 1,500 pages — and distribution.
Why did you choose to go to law school? I went to a liberal arts college and have an undergraduate degree in economics. I looked for the type of further education that would continue to leave a maximum number of options open. My goal when I started thinking about law school was to pass the bar and to work as a lawyer for a few years before doing something different. Law, as I have practiced it, has provided a good means to get paid for doing what I enjoy.
What memories are most outstanding to you from your law school years? What I remember the most, other than a few professors, is the camaraderie. A number of people from my first-year law class are among those I feel the closest to.
If not law, what career might engage your interest? If I did not do law, I would do something completely different, but, for now, law is just fine. There are a lot of things I would love to try my hand at, including making a movie and making wine.
What is something people generally don’t know about you, but should? I am a pretty clear guy who is generally a lot more determined than people expect.
What was your very first job? When I was a kid, I mowed a lot of lawns and shoveled a lot of snow. My first job where I paid FICA was at McDonald’s.
What are some of your favorite books, movies and other pastimes? In terms of movies, I love the small indie cinemas, small indie films. That being said, I also like the Coen Brothers and Tarantino, and when on a plane, a good Bond or other action film passes the time brilliantly. I play cello in a chamber orchestra and with a rock band, and I enjoy sports. I try a long-distance bike trip every couple of years. I watch baseball when in the United States and mostly rugby in Europe.
What advice do you have for students who wish to make a career in international law? Be open — to differences, social, linguistic, cultural, legal, etc. — and, be open to learning. Be clear — Where do you want to go? What can you reasonably expect to do? Be determined.
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