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certified as a bridge teacher, pass-
onathan Fleishmann’s career
ing the requirements as a director
planning started when he
at bridge competitions and involve-
participated in a mock trial in
middle school. Not only did ABOVE: Jonathan ment with our local bridge
association.”
he enjoy the experience,
Fleischmann
To make sure that his rea-
but family members also
prepares for
soning
was realistic, Jonathan
recognized an aptitude for
another round
presented his rationale for a
the legal profession. Upon
of bridge.
career change to his siblings.
completing undergraduate
“My two brothers and sister
studies at the University of
and I frequently consult with each
Michigan, majoring in economics,
Jonathan entered U-M School of Law, other, especially for major deci-
sions,” Jonathan says. “The four of us
receiving his law degree in 2014.
are brutally honest, and I completely
That was the same year he
attended the Spring North American trust my siblings. I did let them
know that if my new business as a
Bridge Championships (NABC) in
professional bridge player didn’t pick
Dallas.
up reasonably quickly, I planned
“For the first time since I started
to keep my law license current so
playing bridge when I was 11 years
I could return to a law practice.
old and competed in tournaments, I
Gratefully, my siblings were very
noticed there were men and women
supportive and, not long afterwards,
my age who played on teams as pro-
I gave notice to the law firm where I
fessional bridge players,” Jonathan
says. “Most of the bridge professionals was employed.”
I knew locally were older, retired and
MAKING A LIVING
played bridge as a hobby or second
career. The idea of having a career in
“Fortunately, my bridge business
bridge had never occurred to me, but
was on a fast track, and I was teach-
the thought was intriguing.
ing students almost every day plus
“I realized that even if I made less
two or three times in the evenings,”
money as a bridge professional than
Jonathan recalls. “It was time to fur-
as an attorney, I didn’t want to wait
ther develop my reputation within
40 years to follow a dream,” Jonathan the bridge community.”
says. “I studied several approaches
During his first few years as a pro-
to becoming a professional bridge
fessional bridge player, Jonathan was
player, spoke with players who
hired to direct four or five weekly
competed on sponsored teams at
competitive bridge games at differ-
national and regional events, with
ent locations in the metro area. To
bridge teachers and with bridge
maintain his competitive edge, he
tournament directors. I crunched
played bridge in the evenings with
the numbers and decided they could his regular partners.
work.
“I never get bridged out, whether
“I then consulted with a profes-
I’m playing with students or practic-
sional bridge player to find out what ing for a tournament,” Jonathan says.
I needed to accelerate my creden-
“I truly enjoy the game.”
tials before announcing my career
“Jonathan is a gute neshume, a
change from attorney to professional good soul, and an excellent bridge
bridge player. My list included being
player,” says Morrie Kleinplatz of

continued on page 22

20

January 25 • 2018

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