Joseph E. Ankus has been a legal search consultant since 1991 and is president of Ankus Consulting, Inc., in Davie.

I am most thankful today for … my family and my health.

When in need of a quick recharge I … put the Keurig on “turbo mode” at the office.

When I’m feeling stressed I … take a nap. A long one.

I feel most alive when I … am playing my best game of tournament hold ’em poker.

When I can’t fall asleep I … take two Benadryl. Works every time.

A period in my life when I really struggled was … as a second-year associate.

My preferred method of exercise is … Orange Theory Fitness.

The most important thing in my life is … my family.

The first thing I do when I wake up is … read CNN online.

I am most looking forward to … tomorrow.

 I am most productive during the day when I … have planned the night before.

The one thing I would tell a stressed-out and overwhelmed lawyer is … to call my office at 954-862-1738.

Every day I make sure to … floss my teeth at least two times. I almost never get a cold or have dental issues!

I can’t go a day without … scouring five newspapers on the Net.

My guilty pleasure is … pizza after midnight.

If I could go back to when I was a young lawyer and give myself advice, I would say … don’t be afraid to share your concerns, fears and doubts with your colleagues. Seek help and guidance without hesitation.

The best way to deal with a difficult colleague or opposing counsel is … listen carefully to what is underneath their difficulty and then approach the situation privately, respectfully and directly.

The worst piece of advice I ever received was … to walk on an icy sidewalk with brand-new wingtips. Two steps and BANG … on my behind in the middle of the sidewalk.

My favorite hobby is … underwater metal detecting.

My favorite music is … anything between 1968 and 1973.

The most relaxing vacation I ever took was … to Maine in the summer of 2007.

The most gratifying part about my job is … helping people realize their dream careers.

The best life lesson I ever learned was … to listen twice and speak once.

I wish more lawyers … would write well.

The best way to promote health and wellness among lawyers is … to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

My role model is … my father.

The happiest lawyers are those who … understand that they are useless to their clients if they are not taking care of their own needs first.

If I weren’t a lawyer I would be … a legal recruiter (which I am!).

Law schools should teach … the business of running a law firm and law firm economics.

The best advice I’ve received about balancing work and life is … to set boundaries to take care of myself.