Joseph Bogosian, a University of Miami School of Law alumnus and president and CEO of Safran Defense & Space, Inc., has made his mark on the world in more ways than one.
As a proud former Student Bar Association president and recent $1 million planned gift donor, Bogosian’s support aims to empower future leaders at the school. In a recent interview, he shared insights on his journey from law student to CEO, underscoring how lessons learned at the University continue to shape his career.
Reflecting on the impact of his School of Law experience, Bogosian emphasized the values of mentorship and connection that remain core to his involvement. “You hope that student leaders can pay it forward someday,” he said, explaining his motivation to cultivate a culture of continuous support between alumni and students.
This sentiment was central to his planned gift, which reflects his desire to keep the cycle of alumni involvement going strong.
His current role at Safran Defense & Space—a company at the cutting edge of technology—has provided unique challenges and opportunities. As a legal mind in an engineering-dominated field, Bogosian humorously reflected on his first day on the job: “I said, ‘Just so it’s on the table, I’m a lawyer,’ and, of course, I heard a smattering of boos.” He soon realized, however, that engineers and lawyers share common ground. “Lawyers and engineers actually think alike. They’re both looking at how a system, with all its interconnected parts, functions to get to a certain end state,” he said.
His experience working closely with engineers and regulatory bodies has proven beneficial as he navigates the legal and technological landscapes shaping the defense industry. This unique position has also allowed him to harness his law school training in negotiation and compliance. “In my field, you’ve got your negotiation skills, your contracts and compliance expertise, and your ability to engage with engineers at a schematic level and systems level. With my legal background, all of that actually works quite well,” he said.
Bogosian recommends that current students focus on manageable career goals rather than overextending planning. “You see a horizon, and you can’t see over it until you keep walking towards it,” he said.
Recognizing that a law degree opens up many paths, he encourages students to explore their interests to find what aligns with their personal and professional satisfaction, adding, “work ought to be enjoyable and rewarding.” To him, it’s not just about a job but about finding a fulfilling career that complements one’s life.
Bogosian hopes to continue engaging with the School of Law community and believes efforts should be made to maintain these ties, including University programming to support School of Law alumni across the country.
As a testament to the power of networking, Bogosian proudly mentioned that his current general counsel is Julien Apollon, a School of Law graduate he met during a student lunch several years ago.
“Julien made an effort to say, ‘I’d like to keep in touch,’ and it turned out that I needed a general counsel, and he was available, so I hired him,” Bogosian said. In addition to his work as general counsel, Apollon now gives back to his alma mater as an adjunct professor in the Transactional Skills Program, helping prepare the next generation of legal professionals.
Bogosian’s journey underscores the value of a University of Miami education, a supportive network, and the lasting impact of alumni engagement. His professional evolution and personal commitment to the next generation of legal leaders demonstrate that connections made on campus can resonate far beyond graduation.
