Joe Cain, ’01 Juris Doctor, is a principal and general counsel for various affiliated businesses known as Lev Restaurant Group, including Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Jamba Juice, Daily Kitchen, i♥burgers, F. Pigalle, Lobster ME, Fifth Street Gaming, Silver Nugget Casino, Lucky Club Casino, Downtown Grand Casino, The Golden Tiki, and Fine Properties. He also spent three years as an associate attorney for Lionel Sawyer & Collins and received a bachelor of science from Georgetown University.

The advice I’d give myself as a new graduate … Stay flexible and future-oriented and to constantly evolve and educate yourself about new trends in whatever field you choose. The world is changing so quickly and disruption from technology and globalization only seems to be accelerating. 

When I graduated from law school in 2001, I had job offers from five law firms and went to work as an associate at what many considered to be the top firm in Nevada. That firm, along with three others that offered me jobs, no longer exists. What seemed like clear paths to long, prosperous legal careers turned out to be dead ends. 

The good news is that where there is disruption, there is opportunity. In the businesses that our company operates, we are always incubating a few different projects and experimenting with changes to our existing operations. Only by evolving and staying flexible have we been able to survive bumps in the road and continue to grow and thrive.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with things outside your comfort zone and to take risks, as those are the only ways to raise your game to a higher level and adjust to ever-changing circumstances. 

The Alumni Advice series is part of our special 2016 commencement week celebrations, which include the annual Alumni Association Awards Program on May 12, and the spring graduation ceremonies on May 13 and 14. Join us in congratulating our newest alumni on social media with #UNLVGrad.