A Little Personal Information on Michael Astrue

Michael Astrue, President Bush's nominee to become the next Commissioner of Social Security, must have filled out some form sent to him a few years ago by the American Bar Association Career Counsel Program. The ABA has posted this information online. Here is what Astrue had to say:

Why?

Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Knowing if you do well, you can help bring breakthrough drugs to desperate patients. Challenges: High risk, stress and uncertainty; excessive litigiousness in industry.

Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Integration of science, law and business considerations; strong stomach.

Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
Generally, it is best to start with a law firm and then move to a medium sized or bigger company if you want to work in biotech. Most importantly, though, forget about long-term plans and just try to do something immediately worthwhile.

How?

Career Path to Current Position:
Mostly government service (many years at HHS, including 3 ½ as General Counsel) then General Counsel at Biogen.

Influences and Mentors:
Mentors: C. Boyden Gray, Kenneth Novack; Influences: James Q. Wilson, Ronald Reagan, Laura Mali-Astrue [apparently his wife, a French teacher].

Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
Hutt & Merrill: Food and Drug Law.

Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Just sitting around at home and the phone rang.

Bar Affiliations and Activities:

Council Member: American Bar Association Section of Administrative Law; Vice Chairman: Federalist Society Section of Administrative Law.

Memorable Career Moment:

First day working in The White House, 1988.

Intriguing Interests:

Cuttyhunk Island; New Formalist poetry; the music of Richard Thompson.