Michael Garofola has an enviable résumé: former assistant U.S. Attorney, former Davis Polk associate (natch), currently working as general counsel for Trans Pacific Polymers and Gulf Energy and Chemical Company — and that isn’t even what he is most famous for.
Garofola also has a flourishing “career” on reality television. Readers might remember him from his 2013 stint on The Bachelorette. Though a federal judge opined on his desirability, he was eliminated in episode seven. Not to be deterred by a little adversity — excellent characteristic for an attorney, btw — he signed back up for more public dating and was cast in this summer’s Bachelor in Paradise.
If his Twitter feed is any indication, Garofola approached this second chance at love with a no-holds-barred attitude:
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Rules of #BachelorInParadise:
1. There are no rules.
2. See Rule 1.
— Michael G. (@MichaelGarofola) August 24, 2015
Unfortunately that didn’t mean he lasted particularly long on the show. Garofola was eliminated earlier this month. But as the American Lawyer reports, he isn’t shedding many tears over it:
If Garofola is smarting from the rejection, he doesn’t let on. “I’m proud of all of my decisions,” he said in an interview after the show. “They’ve all been net positive, and I really wouldn’t change a thing.” And he has no patience for those who would question the choice to flaunt the search for love.
Lawyers enjoy reality shows as much as everyone else, Garofola said. But among reality TV’s critics, they’re “the most hypercritical and judgmental group.”
“I don’t fit that mold,” said Garofola, insisting that he’s always embraced risk. His biggest fear, he said, is having regrets.
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Well, that’s certainly a good formula for quality reality TV. And the good news for Garofola’s fans is he won’t rule out more TV appearances in the future.
A Lawyer’s Search for Love on Reality TV [American Lawyer]
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