GETTING TO KNOW: Theodore Nittis

Theodore C. Nittis is an attorney and insurance professional and a principal with Gemini Risk Partners, an independent professional liability insurance brokerage in Bloomfield Hills, focusing on legal malpractice insurance.

Nittis and principal David Kramer were formerly employee-owners at Oswald Companies and will continue their affiliation with the firm for certain insurance business.

Nittis is a nationally known risk management and claims advocacy resource, as well as a former professional liability litigator.

He works closely with large law firm clients and is responsible for claims handling, risk management consulting, and program placement.

Nittis, a resident of Bloomfield Village, is a graduate of Albion College and Wayne State University Law School.

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

What would surprise people about your job?
How much I actually enjoy it.

Why did you become a lawyer?
Equal parts not knowing what to do after undergrad and reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” as a kid.

What’s your favorite law-related TV show, movie, and/or book?
I avoid legal dramas and novels like the plague. I get enough of that at work. That being said, “12 Angry Men” with Henry Fonda was exceptional.

Who are your law role models — real and/or fictional?
I’m a fan of John Villa at Williams & Connelly (Washington, D.C.), he has an unparalleled reputation as a litigator, and ice runs through his veins.  And like so many of the true heavy hitters, he’s a nice guy.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
Either of my children—despite their protests to the contrary, they have it made.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
Even if you’re not sure you want to practice law, go. It is the greatest education available and is suitable for so much more than you could ever imagine.

What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Getting a defense verdict for a very deserving client in the first arbitration I ever handled.

What do you do to relax?
I read, fly-fish, or go bird hunting.

What other career path might you have chosen?
Curator of antiquities at a museum.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self?
Two things; one, you’re not working as hard as you think you are; and two, less talking, more listening.

Favorite local restaurants?
Standby, Wright & Co., Tallulah, Selden Standard, and Grey Ghost.

Favorite websites?
The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Rake Online, and Cool Hunting.
Favorite app? Find My iPhone to track down my kids.

Favorite music?
Everything from new wave British to classical and opera.

What is your happiest childhood memory?
Traveling overseas with my parents (both now gone).

What is your most treasured material possession?
A painting of my grandfather done by my father.

What do you wish someone would invent?
Uber for kids.

What has been your favorite year so far and why?
Great question, can I get another 20 under my belt before I decide?

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
The Austrian Alps.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?
That’s easy — flying.

What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
Speak better French.

What is something most people don't know about you?
I’m a total homebody.

If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be?
(Author/journalist) Christopher Hitchens, Colonel T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), and (writer) Thomas McGuane.

What’s the best advice you ever received?
Take care of the client, the rest works itself out.

Favorite place to spend money?
The St. James area of London.

What is your motto?
“I’m trying to become the person my bird-dog thinks I am.”

Which living person do you most admire?
There’s no one person; I have a great admiration for anyone who’s at the top of their game, who overcomes a personal struggle to achieve greatness, or is a champion of free and critical thinking.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Why, helping to start Gemini Risk Partners of course!

Would you like to be featured in a ”Get to Know” column, or nominate a colleague? E-mail spursglove@legalnews.com.