Waterford Today

After a successful 28- year career as in-house corporate tax counsel for Chrysler, Richard Davidson, CPA, JD, LL.M, wasn’t ready to step away from the tax world. Rather than leave his profession behind, he joined Walsh in 2013 as a part-time adjunct tax professor. “Planning for a post-Chrysler life by teaching tax at Walsh was an excellent way for me to stay engaged, busy, and connected after I retired from my corporate job.” After three years as an adjunct faculty, he ultimately became chair and associate professor of Walsh’s Taxation and Business Law Department.

Tax Advocacy

Davidson’s decision to stay engaged with the tax profession after retirement from Chrysler is a testament to just how much he enjoys his work. He says, “During my career, I enjoyed the advocacy involved in taxation. It was never enough to arrive at just any answer; I wanted to arrive at the best answer. Now, I teach that same philosophy to my students.”

There was also never any doubt in Davidson’s mind as to what he’d do after graduation from law school. He says, “After earning my bachelor’s in accounting, I got my law degree, then eventually a Master’s of Law (LL.M) with a specialization in taxation. My choice of career path was clear. I knew I wanted to be a tax professional.”

Because Davidson earned his LL.M degree at night while working full-time at Chrysler, he also understands firsthand that his students are often balancing school with full-time careers and/or family priorities. “My goal is to make the time and financial commitment our students make to earn their degree worthwhile.”

Mentoring the Next Generation

One of Davidson’s overarching life goals is facilitating the success of others. He says, “The best part of my job at Chrysler was mentoring younger team members. What better way to combine my 30-plus years of corporate experience and desire to make a difference in people’s lives than to teach?”

Mentoring the next generation of taxation professionals at Walsh is a natural extension of Davidson’s pay-it-forward philosophy. He says, “I feel I’m paying it forward when I help others succeed in all areas of their lives, whether that be professionally, academically, or socially. That’s my goal when I work with my students because that’s something I find very rewarding.”

Student Focused

When asked about his vision for the Taxation and Business Law Department, Davidson says, “Students come first. That’s my only rule when it comes to my department. When students come first, it means we’re preparing them to become successful tax professionals ready to navigate the real world. We do that by making ourselves available to answer questions inside and outside class, and generally by supporting each individual student on their journey.”

Davidson takes a holistic approach to preparing students for successful careers by attending to all aspects of a students’ educational path. “Walsh professors are experienced tax professionals who certainly teach students the technical skills they need in order to navigate taxation. But the Master of Taxation also prepares students by focusing on some of the more soft skills, in areas like communication, writing, and giving presentations.”

Individualized Education

With graduation being the ultimate goal, Davidson feels supporting students should be an individualized, tailored endeavor. He says, “No two students are going to get to the end the same way, but all of them can get to the end with the right kind of support and direction.”

The right kind of support from professors often means connecting one-on-one outside class, and it’s clear Davidson also enjoys fostering those connections. He says, “I had a student email today asking to connect before an exam. So, I scheduled a call with them, because my number one goal is helping students succeed.”

Career Fairs and Staying Connected

Career Fairs at Walsh are a favorite activity for Davidson. He says, “Another very rewarding part of my job is going to career fairs and connecting students with the right opportunities. I take a student who might be a little shy and introduce them to a colleague or even a former student who’s now looking to hire someone. It is very satisfying to make those connections.”

He also enjoys staying in touch with former students. “I stay in touch with some of my law professors who are now in their 80s and I like to stay in touch with my students the same way. I like to answer their questions and just hear how they’re doing.”

Helping Others Succeed

Davidson’s overall philosophy, whether he’s teaching, parenting, or interacting with colleagues, is simple: “I just want to help you succeed. That’s my philosophy, and I’m exactly where I need to be in order to help people do that. I truly enjoy seeing others do well.”

Original source can be found here.