John Tienken

Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL

Current Location: Washington DC

Tell us about your personal and professional journey.

After graduating from UIS, I moved out east to take an internship at the Fox News Channel in New York City. Not certain what to do after college, I gave working in television news a try. At the end of a summer of early mornings and long days, I was hired full-time. My first role was working overnights from around 11pm to 10am, yet so much news breaks overnight, it was an invaluable experience. I worked there for the next two years as a producer and learned something new everyday. And I met my future wife, Kate, while working in New York!

Changing paths, I left New York for law school in Chicago. It wasn't an easy choice, yet I was drawn to life in the law. The ways in which the law serves as something of a mirror to our society, reflecting our priorities, values, and principles. And the ways in which lawyers strive to represent clients in navigating that legal system or resolving disputes in the law's shadow.

Since law school, I've had the tremendous opportunity to work for the judiciary, clerking for Judge Amul R. Thapar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Judge Andrew S. Oldham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and Justice Neil M. Gorsuch of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Clerking is something of an apprenticeship, providing invaluable experience to work closely with a judge and learn how cases are decided and opinions written. Yet it also is a public service. As a clerk, you work hard to assist the court in resolving the cases that are brought before it. You research the legal arguments for or against a certain outcome. And, when a decision is made, you aid the judge in articulating to the parties (and the public) why a case came out the way it did.

Now in private practice, I'm taking all that I learned from working in news, studying in law school, and working for my former bosses in order to represent our clients.

Who or what has played a significant role in influencing or mentoring you?

I just continue to be thankful to the UIS community. My four years in Springfield had a profound effect, setting up so much of where my career thus far has taken me. Although it's been nearly 13 years since graduation, I'm fortunate to still be in touch with many that I first met as a student--close friends, professors, and staff members. In that way, the UIS community has not merely played a significant role in my past, but continues to be an invaluable part of the present.

What advice would you share with other emerging professionals who want to make an impact in their field or community?

My grandmother often said, "don't say no for other people." I do that sometimes, I know others do too. We get in our own heads, telling ourselves why someone--our boss, our colleague, a potential employer--will say no to an idea we have or an opportunity we want to pursue.

Don't do that. While it's important to know counterarguments and plan for them, it's just as important to muster the courage to put your idea out there or to volunteer yourself for a role. The answer may still be no. But ideas that are never shared, or opportunities never sought after, will certainly have no impact at all.

Outside of work, what activities, interests, or passions keep you inspired and grounded?

Outside of work, my wife Kate and I love to travel. As I moved around after law school, we enjoyed exploring each new place--the historical sites, restaurants, and even roadside attractions, like stumbling upon the first KFC while driving in Kentucky.

I've always enjoyed reading. But it can be hard to find the time to sit down and read a tome. That is especially true when you read cases and legal works all day at the office. Over the last several years, I've found audiobooks are great.

I've recently taken up running. It's not a bad way to get an audiobook in. Yet it's certainly a very grounding experience - no equipment needed, yet exhausting all the same. My brother and I plan to run a marathon soon.