Keith Sullivan: NABF Star of the Month

        I want to thank Keith Sullivan for his  inteligent and thougthful answers; and for the openesss expressed in this interview. An honest lawyer… damn straight! What more can I say about the deligthful Mr. Sullivan  other than…. He’s warm, he’s wonderful and he’s ours!

* Please tell me a little about your background?
I was born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn. I am the youngest of four kids. My mother was a school teacher and my was father a police officer with the NYPD. I attended Xaverian HS in Brooklyn and ultimately in 1998 I graduated from Pace University School of Law. I opened Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP five years ago and fortunately, we have been very successful. 
* How did you end up involved in boxing? 


When I was in grammar school, I became deeply interested in the sport as a a fan. I began working out in Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn and quickly came to realize that the few fighters who had a real opportunity to have a career in the sport were often being taken advantage of or misguided by those around them. Many of the other fighters training everyday did not have the prospect of a career in boxing, but were being misled to think they could and in turn they were passing on real educational and work opportunities. It was a sad wake up call for me about the sport of boxing.
 * What other activities are you involved in?
 In the warm weather, I am an avid beach volleyball player. I was recruited to play the sport when I was in HS because I had very good jumping ability. I could dunk a basketball in HS, so the school asked me to play volleyball. I became good at it and competed in the Junior Olympics, Empire State Games and eventually received a college scholarship for volleyball. Additionally, I am very passionate about charity work. I believe we all have the ability to make a difference in the World around us. I am a board of director for The Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation. It is a wonderful charity that helps so many needy people on so many different levels. Most recently we opened 2 youth boxing gyms in neighborhoods rife with gang activity. I am really proud of my work with the foundation.  
 * How do your family and colleagues feel about your “ring” activities?
 Most think I am crazy for donating so much time to the sport and the fighters free of charge! I think others find it to be an unique way to combine my profession and passion for the sport.
* Any honors or Awards we might mention?
In 2010 I was honored to receive the ‘Irish Legal 100 Award’ from the Irish Voice. They selected 100 lawyers of Irish descent from across the Country to honor at a very nice ceremony in Washington, DC at the Irish Ambassadors residence. I was nominated for my pro-bono efforts in assisting the Fire Department of NY with combating race-based hiring quotas. I firmly believe that if we continue to judge people based on the color of their skin and not on the merit they earn and the qualities they possess, we will be setting an awful precedent and are destined to repeat very ugly periods of our nations history.
*Something you’ve accomplished professionally that you’re proud of?
Teaching- I am an adjunct law professor and a lecturer for the bar exam. In May and Decemebr every year I am sent to different law schools around the Country to lecture to law school graduates who are studying for the bar exam. I love the ability to mentor the students and watch them learn the topics and succeed in their careers. Helping- as an attorney my clients have either been seriously injured and life as they once knew it may never be the same or they have been arrested and are facing very serious consequences. I relish the amount of responsibility that rests on my shoulders when the client turns to me for help. I truly believe I make a difference in their lives.
* A little about your time outside away from the arena.
Between running a business, being involved with the Boxing Writeirs Association, Ring-8 and The Atlas Foundation, there is not a ton of time left over! I founded a small cocktail party company that donates all of its proceeds to various charities. I am also in the process of developing a really cool I-Phone App for trial lawyers. I am always on the run and my days are always filled. On the rare occasions I can get away, I have a sister in Florida and I get there when I can to visit and take a breather from NYC. 
 * If you could change something about the sport, what would it be?
Very tough question. I am a bit of a purist and like things to remain as they are. However, the sport needs to expand its fan base. How that gets done, I don’t purport to know. However, MMA created a huge fan base almost overnight. In addition, the NFL and the NBA several years ago were losing tremendous fan support and were able to rebound and now have even wider support. It can be done, the sport needs to figure out how.
* What would you do to restore boxing’s popularity in the US?
It has to become mainstream and fights must be interesting. Marketing takes time and these short term marketing ideas centered around one fight for all of 6 weeks are not enough. Stage a series of 6 “mega-fights” spread out every two months and market them all around the Country. Create cross-sport appeal, such as is happening now with Tibowski (sp?) a professional football player who is boxing professionally in the off-season. Show how Kobe Bryant attributes his boxing regime to the key for his confidence and stamina while on the basketball court.
* If there was a message you could send to the public about boxing, what would it be?
Boxing, particularly at the amateur level, can make a man out of a boy. It teaches discipline, courage, self-respect and hard work. I am so proud to be a part of the Dr Atlas Foundation and Cops & Kids Boxing gyms in Brooklyn and Staten Island. We are helping to keep kids off of the streets and are developing them into proud disciplined men and women. The sport is not barbaric. Yes, you can be injured, but that is rare compared to other mainstream sports.
 * What are your feelings about the rules governing MMA?
As compared to Boxing? MMA was very smart that they were willing to adjust their model to make the events more lively and entertaining for the fans. The most frustrating boxing match to watch is when 2 fighters move around the ring using every inch of the canvas to run and hide from their opponent. Should the ring be made smaller so the fights have more forced action? Maybe, that’s an answer. I defer to those in the sport with experience and knowledge much more vast than mine to assess what can we do to make it more appealing while still preserving the integrity of the sports tradition. It is unfortunate that MMA is banned in some states, like NY. While I am not a fan and I do find it to be a brutal sport, the money generated from its events could truly help boxing because the Athletic Commissions as a whole would stand to profit and thus a larger budget would give the commissions more spending ability for boxing shows. Next month the Commission in NY has refused to sanction 2 shows because they do not have enough staff to manage the various cards. This is a problem that could be eradicated if the commission as a whole was generating more revenue. 
* As a part of the boxing community, who’s has inspired you?
Bob Jackson. He is an old-time trainer from Gleasons. A former corrections department officer and a founder of prison boxing bouts at sing sing. He convinced the higher ups on his job that the room once used for executions should be cleaned out and used for a small boxing gym. He held competitions amongst the inmates and eventually between inmates and outsiders. Many years ago a kid he was training for all of 6 months was arrested and ultimately charged with a serious felony. Bob believed in his innocence. Only knowing the kid 6 months did not stop Bob from fighting for him. He hired lawyers and spent a dozen years proving the kids innocence. Eventually, his twin brother confessed to being the perpetrator. Bob rarely speaks about his courage to fight for this kid. I have been trying to get HBO to do a story on it. A few years ago at the Golden Gloves Bob Jackson was honored with a lifetime achievement award. The article mentioned how courageously he fought to free an innocent man. I got the article and pictures from that night mounted and framed. It hangs today in Bobs office in Gleasons. Bob spends time mentoring each kid like he is their father. He tales them in when they have no place to go, he gives them money, food and clothing when needed. He is an amazing person and will spend hours of his day talking to a kid to help open their eyes and point them in the right direction in life. 
* Anything you’d like us to know about you personally or professionally?
I provide legal analysis for various media outlets including FOX News, MSNBC and CNN. I enjoy the opportunity to educate the viewers on the legal implications surrounding an issue and offering my opinion or viewpoint on the matter. 
* Can you see yourself managing or promoting at some point?
I never rule anything out. However, the business of boxing tends to get me frustrated because many people are simply out for themselves. While i understand it is a business, it is the fighter who takes on the physical risk and puts his heart and soul into being able to enter the ring. I would have difficulty doing business with people who didn’t respect the fighters as much as I do.
 * How would you like to be remembered?
s someone who cared about the people around him and where he could, was always willing to help. Too many lawyers give themselves a bad reputation by making money their main goal. As a lawyer we have the ability to help people in moments when few others can help. With that comes a responsibility to be more socially conscious and willing ot help even when it means we are giving of our time and own money without any financial return.