As a midlevel associate at a law firm in Silicon Valley focused on technology and life sciences, Mehdi Khodadad told one of his mentors that he wanted to be a private equity lawyer.

“He didn’t laugh me out of the room,” Khodadad said on this week’s Drinks With The Deal. “He helped me by saying, “This is what we need to do to fulfill that vision. As a young lawyer, that’s incredibly important.”

Khodadad has fulfilled that vision, becoming a PE partner and global co-head of M&A and PE at Sidley Austin LLP, where he does significant work for Clearlake Capital Group LP, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based sponsor.

“I always encourage anyone, wherever you start your career, to align yourself with mentors who are going to put your interests ahead of themselves in ensuring that you live up to your potential.”

Khodadad also discussed his childhood in Silicon Valley as the son of an entrepreneur and how he was initially attracted to corporate law as well as what he enjoys about advising clients and the rewards and challenges of law firm management.

Listen to the podcast with Mehdi Khodadad below:

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