PART OF MY LIFE AND TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: ...'EVERY DAY IS A CHANCE TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN ONE DAY, WEEK, SEMESTER, OR YEAR. HOWEVER, YOU DO NEED TO WAKE UP EVERYDAY AND DO SOMETHING THAT IS AN INVESTMENT FOR YOUR FUTURE.' 

Your teacher is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in November, 2002. Since that time I have enjoyed an extremely positive work experiences as an associate attorney and as an analyst at prominent Wall Street investment firms. A quick summary of my career is pasted below this message for my students. My hope is to use my education and experience to help you as you start out on your path to success. 

As an undergraduate at Iowa State University I was able to develop and refine my abilities in finance, economics, and business, both inside and outside the classroom. My service as finance club president, vice-president of a professional business fraternity, and as a securities analyst of an endowment fund supplemented the important classroom principles that guide me today.  

My experience at Loyola strengthened my educational background. While at Loyola I enrolled in a broad curriculum concentrating in the areas of taxation, litigation, and corporate law. For example, I have studied federal income, estate, gift, corporation, and partnership tax laws, taxation of financial instruments, trusts and estates, and estate planning. In addition, I have taken courses in alternative dispute resolution, pre-trial litigation, evidence, trial advocacy, and appellate advocacy. 

In addition to my educational background, my experience as a securities analyst contributed to my interest in this position. As a securities analyst I was part of a team of select students chosen to invest an endowment fund on behalf of a corporation seeking to stimulate investment in the State of Iowa. Our team competed against three major universities for the highest portfolio return. After presenting portfolio transaction recommendations to university trustees our team aimed to achieve a balanced portfolio. Our team was victorious within our university and I was responsible for selecting two of the strongest performing stocks within our portfolio. My success as a securities analyst strengthened my interest in applying my financial background in an academic setting. 

My experience at the Chicago Stock Exchange also contributed to my interest in this position because it provided the opportunity to be involved at one of the great hubs of investment. As summer enforcement counsel I engaged in the research and investigation of trading market violations. After the initial fact finding process I was responsible for the drafting and preparation of case file documentation in anticipation of arbitration proceedings. The excitement of this position strengthened my interest in applying my financial and legal background in an academic setting. 

As an associate attorney I applied my financial and legal background to assist in the representation of commercial real estate venture capitalists seeking nationwide investment opportunities. The business model involved the use of real estate venture capital to seek, acquire, and ultimately develop real estate for sale or lease to major retail corporations. I also appeared in state and federal courts to assist the firm’s litigation section. My experience as an associate has strengthened my interest in applying my financial and legal background in legal practice in an academic setting.

In addition to my educational background and experience, I believe that my personality will enable me to succeed in helping you succeed. Throughout my experiences with people I have always been well received and remembered as someone people can depend on, trust, and communicate with about any situation. These characteristics made my experiences enjoyable and rewarding and I hope that this class will be equally enjoyable and rewarding for you.           

My professional experiences were invaluable because they provided the opportunity to practice and work with seasoned professionals. They also provided the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the distinction between academia and the real world. I believe this exposure will be integral to my success as your teacher who will help develop students into willing and dedicated lifelong learners. 

I am looking forward to utilizing my education, experience, and character to help you become even more successful.

                                                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                                                          Your teacher...Mr. Mills