Mitchell F. Borger
VICE PRESIDENT, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL,
MACY’S
MEMBER SINCE 1995
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far?
I find my close relationships with my clients and law department colleagues to be the most rewarding aspect of my career. In spending 20 years at Macy’s, I have been a part of a changing and growing company, on the cutting edge of many legal issues. During this time, I have had the pleasure of dealing with many projects and resolving complicated business and legal matters. While I love the challenging legal work, it is making a positive difference with my clients and coworkers that makes this job so rewarding. I believe that people matter and teams win!
What are some of the benefits of working for an internationally famous company?
Macy’s is an iconic brand name in retail and culture built upon its 150+ years of business. From our flagship store (Miracle) on 34th Street in New York City, to the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, to the July 4th fireworks, to our 840 stores including the Bloomingdale’s name plate, everyone has a personal story about enjoying their shopping or working experience at Macy’s. From a business standpoint, many firms and vendors want to work with us, because of our trend setting retail reputation.
What ACC resources have been the most beneficial to you?
While the website research materials and topical articles are top notch, my favorite resource is the daily Law Digest in both the Employment & Labor and Litigation practice areas. These listserv give me access to interaction and feedback from a large quantity of experienced in-house attorneys who have practical insight into many of the same legal issues that I deal with on a daily basis.
What is the most interesting aspect of working for Macy’s?
Can you say “Please join the parade?” I have had the distinct pleasure to be a participant in (as of this November) 20 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades. My roles have included being a celebrity escort to the musical group Chicago, being a clown, a clown captain and for the last 10 years one of four “supervisors” of the 900+ clowns, broken into 20+ clown groups. Behind the scenes Thanksgiving morning is one of the most enjoyable, entertaining and challenging logistical days of my year.
What are the biggest challenges in-house attorneys will face in the coming years?
Some challenges will be technology based and some will be based on the financial bottom line. All in-house attorneys need to keep current on technology and we need to work towards better data management and data security. Easier said than done, I’m sure. The past, present and continuing challenge will be to prove the value and worth of employing in-house counsel. Quantifying the cost savings, both in comparison to outside counsel and in avoiding liability, will be an ongoing challenge.
