After 15 years with Lawyers Mutual, Patrick Brown is trading cybersecurity, operational risk and the familiar rhythms of office life for mountains, trains, new languages and a new adventure in Switzerland.

Patrick joined Lawyers Mutual as a Relationship Manager and leaves us as Vice President of Enterprise and Operational Risk Management, having helped shape everything from our relationships with insureds to the technology and security systems that support our work. Along the way, he has been a colleague, problem-solver, teacher and friend – and someone who never stopped being curious about what we could do better. As Patrick prepares to move abroad with his family, we sat down with him to look back on 15 years at Lawyers Mutual, talk about the people and experiences he’ll miss, and find out what he’s looking forward to in this very different kind of retirement.

LM: You joined Lawyers Mutual 15 years ago as a Relationship Manager. What do you remember most about those early days?

PB: I remember being energized by the volume of learning that was necessary in those early days.  Going from a passing familiarity of claims-made policies to the depth of knowledge necessary for the role.  Learning the culture and people at Lawyers Mutual and getting to know our insureds.  Learning all of the practical, legal, and ethical guardrails the NC Department of Insurance has in place to protect the public in order to obtain a producer’s license.  It was a newly formed role and we were learning how it would work at the same time.  That process was very engaging and a lot of fun.  I am not sure the company knew what to make of me initially: my personality has been described as a sponge at first – I quietly observe and absorb information, but then once I am comfortable, my true form comes out.  The move from working law firm hours to insurance company hours took a bit getting used to, and the quality of life difference in having a 40-hour week was such a positive change for me and our family.

LM: Your career here has taken you from Relationship Manager to Vice President of Enterprise and Operational Risk Management. How has your role—and your understanding of Lawyers Mutual—changed over the years?

PB: That progress has been one of the more rewarding aspects of being at Lawyers Mutual.  Many companies want you to come to work and do a specific job and stay in your lane.  Lawyers Mutual is different.  Everyone from Reception to CEO is available – for employees and our insureds alike – and we listen and grow together.  Being encouraged to identify and help fill potential gaps or areas that could be optimized as the world and technology have changed over the years is quite rare. Having the opportunity to choose my own adventure here has been amazing, and I appreciate how rare that is.  One thing that has not changed is that Lawyers Mutual and our insureds have a very unique relationship that is not found in other types of business transactions – especially for insurance.  I heard the line early on that we sell relationships, not insurance – and that is such an apt way to describe it.  Being in the community and a resource for attorneys to call if they encounter a unique situation turns this into much more than a commodity.

LM: What are some of the projects, accomplishments, or milestones from your time here that you are most proud of?

PB: I would say the project I am most proud of was our transition to the cloud for many of our services, which created resilience and security for the company. While we did this transition prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our work was put to the test when we were able to shift everyone from 5-days a week in-office work to 100% remote with only a couple of days of notice. Since that time, the scope has expanded to include more cybersecurity controls to protect our policyholders and ourselves.  I have also enjoyed speaking at CLE’s on topics ranging from starting out in practice to privacy and cyber security.

LM: Lawyers Mutual has changed considerably during your 15 years here. What changes stand out to you most?

PB: The role of technology and the types of technology used have changed so much over that time – especially in the past 5 years.  Going from rooms filled with files and primarily communicating via posted mail to being primarily paperless and utilizing online applications, payments, and tools such as video conferencing and AI has made the office look a lot different than it did in those early days of my time here.  I can only imagine what the next 15 years holds for the workplace.

LM: What have you learned during your time at Lawyers Mutual that you think you’ll carry with you into whatever comes next?

PB: The importance of collaboration. So often in law school and law firms it is every person for themselves and asking for assistance is seen as a sign of weakness.  But nothing is further from the truth.  Whether it is handling a novel legal question, a subpoena, an unusual client situation, a suspected phishing email, or a cybersecurity problem – talking with others and collaborating yields much better results than trying to figure it out solo. I hope that is something that gets normalized in our field.

LM: Is there something about Lawyers Mutual—or the people here—that you think you’ll appreciate even more once you’re no longer coming to work every day?

PB: Definitely the people!  A byproduct of a company with very low turnover is you get to know your coworkers and their families – and everyone has different interests and hobbies.  I will miss the updates on hikes, fishing trips, band practices, Metallica concerts, Canes games, woodworking, kids’ accomplishments, antique stereos, theater, gardening, travels, running, beekeeping, and so much more.

A Very Different Kind of Retirement

LM: Most people picture retirement as slowing down. You’re beginning yours by moving your family to Switzerland! How did this opportunity come about?

PB: We have always enjoyed travel, both domestic and international, and have had a few potential opportunities arise over the years – from American Samoa, to New Zealand, to various places in Europe.  None of those were quite right for the family and timing though.  When my wife’s team had an opportunity open up in their Switzerland office, it was too good to pass up.

LM: When your wife first learned about the opportunity, what was your initial reaction to the idea of moving to Switzerland?

PB: Those who know me know I like to have things planned out with several backups and contingencies. The first reaction was excitement for the potential new adventure followed by panic about the logistics involved in making it a reality. Now we are in moving mode and looking forward to being at the next stage in our adventure.

LM: What are you most excited about as you think about living in Switzerland?

PB: There are so many things – it is difficult to choose one!  Food, travel, and nature are probably my top three.  It will be nice to not have a vehicle and know that a beach, river, mountain, lake, or another country are just a short ride on a fast train away.  I have been wanting to learn how to fly fish for a while, so I hope that is something I will be able to pick up too.

LM: You and your youngest child will both be adapting to a new country, a new language, and—in your child’s case—a new school system. How are you approaching that adventure together?

PB: All of our children love to learn and travel, and our youngest is no exception.  He is excited about getting his own train pass and the degree of freedom Swiss children enjoy.  Learning a new language will be a challenge, but it is a fun one – and something we have already begun together.  Although I expect as soon as he is around his peers he will quickly outpace me in that regard! 

LM: Are you already working on learning the language? If so, how is that going?

PB: Yes, but it is slow learning.  Language apps are good to get you started on the basics, but we are looking forward to the more immersive language courses we will have once we are there.  In prior travels I found that you pick up a lot more fluency when you are trying to figure out dinner!

LM: You have other children – already out of the nest – and in college. Are they already packing their bags for a visit?

PB: Yes they are!  One of ours is in Norway this year and will be joining us a day or two after we arrive as that coincides with their fall break.  We are trying to figure out a good family getaway for everyone over Christmas/winter break.

LM: What do you think will be the biggest adjustment to everyday life in Switzerland?

PB: Grocery shopping and social rules.  I am a Costco shopper and European groceries and markets are much smaller and more of a daily shopping experience than a weekly/monthly stock up.  The Swiss also greatly value personal and quiet times – most places are closed on Sundays and noisy activities such as mowing the lawn are not allowed those days.  But overall I think those will be seen as positives once we know all the rules, and spending more time outdoors and in nature will be amazing.

LM: What are you and your family most looking forward to exploring once you get settled?

PB: Our youngest already has a globe marked out with pins for all the places he wants to visit, so I think our agenda will be packed for a while!  For me, just point me towards nature – lakes, mountains, rivers, oceans – and I will be happy.  Train travel makes things feel more approachable than long car trips.

LM: Does being based in Europe come with a travel wish list? What places are already at the top?

PB: There is so much to see and do in Switzerland first.  Going to glaciers, experiencing the night sky in one of the Bortle Class 1 areas, and of course good food!  One of our children recently spent some time in the Balkans and I am looking forward to going there as well.  A benefit of living there that I am looking forward to will be having the time to access less traveled areas and places that are not typically on the travel list for a week or two trip to Europe from the US.

Looking Ahead

LM: We are congratulating you on your retirement, but do you think there may eventually be another professional chapter for you?

PB: That is a tricky one!  Initially, my job is helping the family acclimate as best as possible and being there to support our youngest.  After that, I do not know.  Most likely my legal professional chapter will be closed, although privacy practitioners are in high demand throughout Europe and could be a similar path without a local law license – I am not ready to hand in my bar card just yet.  Before law school I spent time in Australia where I earned my professional PADI Divemaster certification and worked on various dive boats, so maybe I’ll dust that off again and you’ll find me as an underwater tour guide once more!  I know whatever happens I will not be sitting still – between travel and learning and experiencing new things, and then also hopefully finding community volunteer work whether that is working with people, gardening, or something completely new.  Life has endless possibilities and we can only guess what the future may hold!

LM: What do you hope you and your family will gain from the experience of living abroad?

PB: Travel opens your mind and your heart.  Living abroad changes you in ways you cannot anticipate but are better for it.  Whether it is an appreciation for other cultures, an appreciation of what we have here, a new understanding about what is important in life, or just enjoying a new rock or tree – you grow.  There is a quote from The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain that is often paraphrased as: Travel is the cure for ignorance. I know how formative my past travel experiences have been and I hope this is as well for us all.

LM: Finally, what would you like to say to the colleagues and friends you’ve worked with during your 15 years here?

PB: Keep up the great work you all do and how you are there for the attorneys of North Carolina.  And if you find yourself in Switzerland, let me know and we’ll go for a coffee or a hike or just a train ride!