Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Big reward for Big Brother
Chad Van Horn was selected by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida as the State of Florida Big of the Year out of 15,000 mentors statewide. It’s been a privilege to mentor his “little brother,” Desmond, now 17, for the past four years as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward, says Van Horn. Using his at-work skills helped to shape Desmond – and Van Horn’s own professional and social bonds, says Van Horn. Resume
Job: Founding partner attorney of Van Horn Law Group P.A., specializing in debt, foreclosure and loss, bankruptcy, business and real estate transactions, commercial and real estate litigation, loan modifications and landlord-tenant disputes.
Education: Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Davie; Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Robert Morris University, Pennsylvania. Impact Matching volunteer work with
my professional skills: The three most important skills I have learned as an attorney are listening, problemsolving and taking action. I have applied these skills and experiences to build a solid and honest relationship with a young man that needed guidance. With any child, they want to be heard, guided, understood and accepted. It is important that I listen, but also give relevant feedback.
Change is transformative : I am more compassionate because of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Now, I feel that I have an opportunity to help people see past their current situation and have them realize that there is hope.
Opportunity: Desmond worked in my law office. But I made sure I was not his boss. I believe it is important to get real world experience, not experience favoritism, just because you know someone.
New conversations: It’s nice to have something to discuss with my colleagues that doesn’t involve conflict. The positive outreach I have received from fellow attorneys, including the bankruptcy bar, has been amazing.
Industry wisdom: Find a good role model early in your career and replicate what they do, but try to do it even better and with more passion.