LIFE Leadership Hires Bill Sankbeil as Chief Legal Counsel
Posted by Orrin Woodward on July 17, 2013
Jim Collins’s famous statement (paraphrased) is “Get the right people on the bus; the wrong people off the bus; and then get the right people in the right seat on the bus” Following this principle, LIFE Leadership continues to add wisdom, talent, and expertise into its corporate offices with the hiring of top legal professional Bill Sankbeil. Since 2007, Bill has been my personal and professional lawyer. My trust and respect for this true gentlemen of barristers continues to increase with time.
Bill Sankbeil, as Chief Legal Counsel, will work on international expansion, rules/regulations/compliance, and corporate structures as LIFE Leadership expands across the globe. I have found one of the key secrets to success is to surround yourself with better people than yourself, cast the vision, and get out of the way of the high-achievers so they can perform. Below is an article I wrote on Mr. Sankbeil after he won the prestigious Cook-Friedman Civility Award. In sum, Bill is a proven performer who adds a key ingredient into LIFE Leadership’s plan to reach millions of people.
Please help me in extending a warm welcome to my friend and legal mentor, Bill Sankbeil, into the LIFE Leadership community.
Sincerely,
Bill Sankbeil
William “Bill” Sankbeil, my good friend and legal counsel, is not just another lawyer. Without exaggeration, I can say his advice, strategy, and encouragement has been pivotal to me personally and professionally. When I first met him, I sensed right away that he was honest, hard-working, and possessed a top legal mind. Now, after working with him for five years, his consistent professionalism and competency has only deepened my respect.
Essentially, what separates Bill is his willingness to go the extra mile for his clients. Indeed, I remember the first week I met him, apologizing for having to call him at his lake house in Northern Michigan. He ended up working most of the weekend on an urgent matter without complaint. I wasn’t just impressed; I was blown away. Think about it. Here is one of the perennial “Who’s Who” top legal counsels dropping his weekend plans to help out a new client he hardly knows. Over time, I realized this high-level of personalized service was standard operating procedure for Bill.
Predictably, a person cannot sow into others lives for multiple decades like Bill has without reaping a bountiful harvest in return. Bill Sankbeil is reaping that harvest and recently received the much-deserved prestigious Cook-Friedman Civility Award. According to the Federal Bar Association (FBA) in the Eastern District of Michigan:
This award will be called the Julian Abele Cook, Jr.- Bernard A. Friedman FBA Civility Award, in recognition of the dedication to civility of two outstanding jurists: former Chief Judge Julian Abele Cook, Jr., who, in 1998, constituted the first Civility Committee in the Eastern District of Michigan and fostered the implementation of the Court’s Civility Principles; and Chief Judge Bernard A. Friedman who formed the Court’s second Civility Committee in 2007, and fostered the implementation of the Eastern District’s “Lawyer’s Commitment of Professional Civility.”
The Julian Abele Cook, Jr. – Bernard A. Friedman FBA Civility Award shall be awarded yearly at the Chapter’s Annual Dinner.
In selecting an attorney to receive the award, the following criteria shall be utilized:
1. The attorney has been significantly engaged in the practice of civil law;
2. The attorney demonstrates the highest levels of legal competency and Professionalism;
3. The attorney’s conduct is in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity and personal courtesy as set forth in the Civility Principles of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan;
4. The attorney has demonstrated, while fulfilling the fundamental duty to represent clients vigorously, a mindfulness of the equally important obligation to the administration of justice, which is a truth-seeking process designed to resolve human and societal problems in a rational, peaceful and efficient manner; and
5. The attorney is guided by a fundamental sense of dignity, decency, candor and fair play.
This award is a fitting capstone for the Bill’s prolific career of character-centered service to numerous firms and individuals. It is added to his already impressive list of accomplishments documented below:
Mr. Sankbeil is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as the Chair of the Michigan State Committee (2002-2004). He is listed in the Bet the Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Antitrust Law categories in the “Best Lawyers in America” (in all editions since its inception), “Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business”, and in “Michigan Super Lawyers”. He is also a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, a former President of the Wayne State Law Alumni Association (1985-1987), is currently serving on the Executive Committee, Board of Visitors Wayne State University Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and served as the Chairperson, Antitrust Law Section in 1981-1982 and was a member of the Mediation Rule Committee, appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court in 1994. He is a member of the American Bar Association and served as a Council member of the Antitrust Law Section from 1992-1995, was Vice Chair of the Antitrust Law Section in 1995-1996, Chaired or was Vice Chair of various other committees, and served on numerous other task forces. Mr. Sankbeil is also a member of the Litigation Section. He is listed in “An International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers” and in “A Guide to the World’s Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers”. Mr. Sankbeil has been a speaker at numerous seminars and programs concerning various aspects of litigating complex cases. Mr. Sankbeil is a graduate, cum laude, of Wayne State University Law School. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
For me, no matter how impressive Bill’s awards are, what I am most impressed with is for forty-plus years, Bill practiced the legal profession with class and character. Few, in the rough and tumble legal atmosphere, can claim that victory. Congratulations Bill Sankbeil, your dignity, decency, and integrity are a model for the next-generation of barristers around the world.
Sincerely,
47 Responses to “LIFE Leadership Hires Bill Sankbeil as Chief Legal Counsel”
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Chad Waters said
Hi Orrin
Welcome Bill to Life!
Maura said
Welcome to LIFE, Bill, and thank you in advance for all you will bring to this wonderful community! 🙂
Imelda Roman said
Welcome to the Life family Mr. Sankbeil!
Steve Duba said
Thanks Orrin.It truly is comforting knowing that our policy council is focused on surrounding the LIFE organization with the best of the best.We will be free and we will accomplish all of our goals as we move forward.Thanks again.God Bless
Theresa said
Welcome to LIFE Mr. Sankbeil! It will be an amazing journey for all of us!!
Kristine Militello said
Great News! Sounds like a perfect fit for LIFE Leadership! Exciting times ahead.
Michael L Dunavant said
I am so happy to be associated with leaders, who recognize the value of surrounding themselves with wise and loyal men and women. Part of wisdom is knowing what you don’t know and find the people who can help and lead. Thank you Orrin and welcome Bill. As Steve just said “The best of the best”.
Ken Hendon said
Super! We are looking forward continued international expansion, and Bill’s the right guy. You and he have out total trust. Thanks
george guzzardo said
Orrin, Fired up!!! Your comments are right on. Surround yourself with classy, intelligent people. It’s the ‘secret to success’. The collective IQ of a leadership team will be the bench mark for the future of business. Congratulations and welcome to Bill.
Tim McNeil said
Welcome aboard Mr Sankbeil!
Paul and Toosh Letby said
Thank you Orrin for introducing yet another solid leader in the LIFE Leadership circle. A big “Welcome!”, to you, Bill!!
Judy Stockdale said
Welcome to this amazing Business Structure of “LIFE Leadership”. As Orrin looks to you with his trust, so will I. I have to much faith and trust wrapped up in this opportunity to see it be wasted as so many others have been in my past experience.
You have had a high calling from Orrin Woodward, and we trust his judgment as well as the others that serve in the decision making of LIFE. Thank you ALL!!
Florio Mazares said
There is nothing more assuring than being part of an organization that makes decisions based on principles and not circumstances. Welcome to the Team Bill!
Eiron Colin said
Welcome to Life Mr.Sankbeil! And welcome to the awesome journey that awaits us all 🙂 Blessings
Andrew Rockwell said
Welcome Bill! We are going global? Awesome!!
Phil Wall said
Welcome Mr Bill Sankbeil….and thankyou in advance.
Dan Hawkins said
Welcome to the LIFE Leadership community Bill, you will add tremendous value to the leadership team as we move forward. Thanks for everything you do!
Matt Mielke said
Bill, although we haven’t met yet, I look forward to meeting with you and forging a life-long relationship in the creation of the greatest leadership development organization in history.
John Hatchell said
Awesome decision on Life’s part. This directly shows our commitment to pursuing excellence. I read humility, work ethic and Honor. ( Smattering of Competitiveness with One Major Scoreboard )
Elizabeth said
Thank you and Welcome Mr. Sankbeil!!
J & P Harteis said
Welcome Mr. Bill Sankbeil! If Orrin says that you are a man of integrity, character, & honor, we know that you are indeed! We look forward to what you can add to the Team, & we thank you so much for opening up your life’s lessons for all of us to learn from! It’s exciting to know that the international market will be opening up soon! They are waiting for us!
JB Thompson said
Orrin,
Great post! Glad to hear all of the great things about Bill! The LIFE business continues to go global, these are exciting times!
Ryan Blakely said
Congrats Bill and welcome to Life!
Rob Robson said
Welcome to LIFE Bill!
Scott Staley said
Welcome to LIFE Bill. Thank you in advance for all your help in assisting us to a million and beyond!
Niki Kamenicky said
Welcome to LIFE Leadership Bill! Thanks for fighting the good fight!
charlie Mallios said
Sounds like a great guy. I have found good legal council to be invaluable.
robert wilcox said
Welcome Bill!! I love being involved with a community where you TRUST them … you will make a decision … I trust that decision and yes i can ask questions but it always leads right back to …. Orrin or George etc have more experience, know what they are doing and they have always done what is in the best interest for us … the Team! Hats off to you Orrin and the PC! Thank you!
Aron said
Thanks for a great post about a great man. Bill, we are honored to have your legal council & your friendship. Getting great men & women on the the great bus called LIFE!
The Radosa’s
Miguel and Jennife Martinez said
Thanks Bill for being man of character and we are super excited to be part of this together with you. Welcome to Life
Carl and Nicole Urban said
Welcome Bill to the Best of the Best Leadership company ever!!
Greg Johnson said
Congratulations Bill!
We have seen your integrity and commitment to Orrin and TEAM in the past and welcome you to the LIFE Community.
John Conley said
Welcome Bill. Its great to have aboard.
Jim Wilson said
Thank you Orrin for inviting such outstanding talent to the fold. And, thank you, Bill,for coming on board.You are joining a fantastic purpose driven journey.
Jim Wilson
Jason Dames said
YaaaaaHHHH Fired Up Bill!! Welcome. I know Orrin and the Pc Always chooses the best!!!
Bill Eder said
Welcome to LIFE Bill. We look forward to another man of integrity, character, & honor joining us as we move forward to a life we always wanted.
Richard Kroll Jr. said
Welcome to LIFE team Mr. Sankbeil! Thank you in advance for all your help in assisting us to bless millions in the United States and beyond!
Kristen Seidl said
Bill, just like we say to all new members of this amazing organization, congratulations and welcome to the LIFE team! It’s a blessing to have you on board.
Steve Meixner said
Welcome to LIFE Mr Sankbeil,You are obviously a man of Character and Integrity!
Steve
Gary Severson said
Community is all about pooling the strengths of every individual together for the betterment of all. LIFE is all in! Welcome aboard Bill!
Randy Robson said
Sounds great!
Kurt & Joanne Brandtjen said
WELCOME TO LIFE BILL!! We are blessed to have you on board!
Tim Marks said
BIG Bill- welcome aboard officially
Tim
Brian Powers said
Bill,
Welcome! Another piece of the million people puzzle to solidify the strong foundation with more great people to restore truth.
Thanks you sir for all you have done, and all we know you will do!
God Bless
Brian
Sarah Sandborn said
That is truly amazing. I know who I am calling if I need any legal advise
CJ Calvert said
A class-act working with a world-class organization… Congrats and welcome, Bill!
Josh Dames said
Welcome to lLife leadership Bill!!!