“It’s interesting how careers can be serendipitous,” he said. “My antitrust law professor suggested I apply for a position with the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division through their honors program. I was accepted and used that as springboard first to a corporate practice with a law firm in Washington, D.C., and then to joining Motorola.”

Selby found that the more he worked with business, the more he enjoyed the diversity of the experience. For those out there just beginning their careers, he said, consider that a corporate practice in- volves virtually every area of law, which provides for a rich range of potential experiences.

“Over the course of my career, I have handled everything from M&A to employ- ee terminations, criminal investigations, FDA regulatory matters and international dispute resolution,” Selby explained. “I’ve had experience in court and in the boardroom. The opportunity to provide legal advice and counseling that shapes a global business icon like Motorola has been extremely satisfying.”

Asked to name the hot legal issues in corporate practice today, Selby doesn’t hesitate. The answer is compliance.

“For a publicly traded, major international corporation like Motorola, the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has been enor- mous,” he said. “The cost of compliance is immense, but it pales in comparison to the business risk if you don’t do it right. Motorola prides itself on its commitment to business ethics.”