A friend, Michael A. “Mickey” Kaufman, retired about six years ago as a corporate attorney. Since he retired, it seems he has been busier than ever. Besides many social and charitable activities, he became an author and has just published his magnum opus.

As soon as he retired, he finished writing a children’s book that he started over 20 years ago while on vacation with his youngest daughter, Andrea, to whom he started telling made-up stories to get her attention. The initial story was pretty good, and he continued it, and when she was much older, she suggested he write them down. He had a very demanding position with Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”), where he spent the last 37 years of his active career, so that wasn’t an option. When he retired, he had no excuse, so he just sat down and started writing, and writing and writing. He also received a push and great encouragement from his wife, Sherryl.

Since that start, he has written 10 Fox and Camel children’s books (so far). These reflect traditional values– some of which seem to have been pushed aside lately. They are traits needed to succeed, such as sharing, patience, respecting parents, being nice and playing well with friends. He collaborated with illustrator Lorraine Dey, so the books are really attractive and tell interesting stories for everyone.

A few weeks ago, to celebrate his 75th birthday, Mickey published his autobiography as a private endeavor, including an inside look at what a corporate attorney does. Its title is I Got to See the World, First Class, Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson / Memoirs of a Corporate Lawyer.

I know Mickey and find all his stories interesting, but I also found fascinating his career climb up the ladder and how he spent his days, weeks, months and years in many behind-the-scenes activities being involved in reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions, new product launches and managing staff. Many people do not realize that corporate attorneys are involved in everything their employer does and are not flies on the wall but front and center and, many times, are the ones that tell everyone else where to sit at the mammoth conference tables. I do not know what Mickey has in mind for this book, but I hope he has it published commercially. I believe any lawyer working in a corporate environment or who wants to would enjoy it and pick up some ideas. Mickey’s book is also beautifully published—a first-class production—typical of all of Mickey’s endeavors.

Mickey’s Fox and Camel books are sold on Amazon. His autobiography is not for sale, but if anyone wants to reach him, his email address is [email protected].

Good going, Mickey, and enjoy your second act.

Contact Us

If you have any tax, business, financial or leadership or management issues you want to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or click here.