2020 Up & Coming Attorneys: Sarvesh Desai

Holly Dolezalek//September 12, 2020//

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With a Bachelor of Science degree in bioengineering, Sarvesh Desai might be expected to be an intellectual property attorney. But at Henson Efron, Desai conducts contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and other general business transactions. “It’s been a really great experience, because coming from a big law firm, I was used to being a specialist,” Desai says. “Here, you have to wear many hats.”

Desai began his career as a validation engineer at a health care company. But when that work proved not to be challenging or varied enough, he turned to the law.

What do you find the most rewarding or love best about working in the legal profession?

I think it’s the ability to help people. On the pro bono side, I’ve done a lot of immigration work, and that’s literally lifesaving work. You’re using your skills to prevent someone else from being persecuted or saving them from imminent harm or death.

What’s the best piece of advice that you ever received?

It was from a book I read by Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” The best piece of advice from there is about how to be a good conversationalist. The most important part of being a good conversationalist is being a good listener. People really want you to listen to them, and to listen to them you have to be genuinely interested in them and what they have to say.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

I’m an immigrant, and actually, growing up, I was undocumented. My dad had a temporary work visa, but I never had my own status until he got an employee-based permanent visa. That gives me a very unique perspective on life, and an appreciation for the privilege of being where I am and doing what I’m able to do.

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