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February 2023
Bruce Jackson
(BBA, Accounting, ’85)
Q & A:
- What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
It is difficult to narrow down my favorite class to only one because I had such a great and rewarding experience at Hofstra. However, if I had to name one class, it would be business law. My favorite professor was Leslie Geller. My fondest memory was being a member of the New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH) community. - What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing learned in that position?
I received offers from most of the Big Eight accounting firms. I was about to accept an offer from Arthur Andersen, but I decided to enroll at Georgetown University Law Center. - What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
I became an attorney and worked in three industries: tax, entertainment, and technology. I was referred to the tax law firm by my law professor. My interest in tax law was influenced by my appreciation for accounting. As an entertainment attorney, my friend referred a major recording artist to me. My interest in entertainment was influenced by my childhood interest in the arts. As an attorney in the technology industry, I was referred to Microsoft by a recruiter. My interest in Microsoft was a result of the digital transformation that took place in the music industry. - What advice would you give Hofstra students?
Believe in yourself, bet on yourself, and follow your passion. You should use Hofstra as an educational platform. However, you should also network with administration, faculty, and your classmates. All three can play an instrumental role in your career. - In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
Foundation - How did you originate the ideas for Never Far from Home? Can you explain how you were able to bring your vision to life?
A client in the entertainment industry had asked me for five years to write a memoir to inspire others to reach their potential. I also wanted to inform those who were more privileged of the challenges and barriers faced by others. My hope was that the book would lead to empathy and support for those who might be struggling to overcome obstacles. It is important that we get everyone to join us on this journey for equity for all. - Having worked on various initiatives for high-profile clients in the entertainment and technology field – including LL Cool J, Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, MC Lyte, and Bill Gates – can you provide insight on how to handle balancing multiple tasks at once under pressure?
There is always pressure. We cannot get away from it. We have to learn to multitask in any profession. The good thing about it is that we get better over time, so be patient and give yourself grace. - What has been the single most rewarding experience in your career thus far?
It is difficult for me to identify one experience in such a long career. I have negotiated many entertainment contracts and billon dollar technology deals. I continue to get an adrenaline rush when closing deals. However, it has been rewarding to play the role of a mentor and/or sponsor to a young person and watch the trajectory of their career.
Bruce Jackson is associate general counsel/managing director of strategic partnerships at Microsoft. He has over 32 years of experience assisting companies in the financial services, health and life science, public sector, and entertainment industry grow their businesses. Bruce’s career reflects a demonstrated record in supporting successful large-scale transformation and executing digital transformation transactions in domestic and global markets. He helps customers in their migration to the cloud, including meeting regulatory requirements and removing blockers. He possesses a broad range of skills, including technical, leadership, business management, and creative thinking.
Prior to his current role at Microsoft, Bruce was associate general counsel/business advisor of Microsoft’s U.S. sales organization, a $20B business, and the Regulated Industries Group, a $15B business. Bruce has been significantly involved in executing multiple contracts, including two of the largest and most significant in the company’s history. He has also supported several enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on enabling the companies to reach their full business potential.
Bruce started his career as a tax attorney for corporate clients. He later founded and was managing partner of a successful entertainment law firm, where he was responsible for all aspects of budgeting, planning, accounting, marketing, and client development.
He currently serves on New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Corporate Counsel Committee. He is also member of the advisory boards for the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms and the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx. Microsoft contributed $5 million to the museum, the largest corporate contribution, to preserve the hip-hop culture. Bruce previously served on not-for-profit boards, including Henry Street Settlement, where he served on the Technology Committee. He was also appointed by then New York Governor David Paterson to serve on the state’s Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence.
Bruce is a passionate proponent for diversity and inclusion. He demonstrates his commitment to diversity, inclusion, community, and youth through his many civic activities and nonprofit board memberships. He has received numerous internal and external awards and honors, including an industry best practice award from the American Bar Association. He is a founding member of Microsoft’s diversity committee, and he has presented several times to the Financial Services Committee, chaired by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, on diversity and inclusion. Most recently, Bruce has authored an autobiography titled Never Far from Home: My Journey from Brooklyn to Hip Hop, Microsoft and the Law.
Bruce earned a BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University and a JD and an LLM in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.