David Palmer

Managing shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP

• First job: Sales associate

Before heading off to law school, Palmer worked part time for several years at the Sears in Cherry Creek North.

"I went to school at Johns Hopkins University," he said, "but when I was home during summers and holidays, I would work at the department store. In the five to six years I was there, I worked in almost every department. The store even offered me an assistant manager position in the men's department."

Palmer said he learned to persuade and serve customers, abilities he has been able to utilize throughout his career in law.

"I was on my feet all day with a fairly regimented schedule, but I really liked working there. I liked waiting on people and the competitive aspect."