Modus was founded to deliver high-quality, original journalism for family-office professionals. It's done that so far and that will always be the priority of this newsletter.
But there are other powerful and essential forms of writing.
Since its inception, Modus has planned to publish poetry and fiction that evoke emotions and reach readers in ways that reporting cannot. The best poems and stories often have something to say, but still leave readers asking questions — comically, earnestly and sometimes frighteningly — about their jobs, relationships, and even themselves.
"96 Pages" is the first of many works to come.
96 Pages
Forgive me your honor
I was hoping you might look me
in the eye and deem my faith
good
might see that I wasn’t always
the chosen son but ended up
righteous somehow at the helm
of this empire. I swear I’m not sure
how it happened
this leads to that and really
your honor I just did what he said
the only child to attend
his fifth wedding. Oh god
oh your honor
I thought you might
understand all this
might see how heavy
the weight / how intense
the pressure / might shrug
at the truth bent
like so many people do
because listen:
I was shaped at the feet
of the kingpin and who can
blame me for wanting
to sit on the throne?
Mr. Gorman
your 96 pages have damned me
when that crown falls
to a life spent lonelier,
siloed as a traitor to the bloodline
tail tucked
bluff called
cards turned up.
— Zoe Branch
Zoe Branch is a poet based in New York City. She is also an essayist, podcaster and performer who is interested in how art — both its creation and its consumption — can shift our attention and guide us toward leading richer and more meaningful lives. Learn more about her at zoebranch.com.
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Other News
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Dave Checketts, a former executive of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden, has teamed up with Cynosure Group, the Eccles family’s private investment firm, to create a sports-focused investment fund. The initial fund expects to raise more than $1.2 billion, and it says there are “several deals already in the pipeline.”
Is JB Pritzker going to run for president? There are signs.
How luxury cars, $500,000 bar tabs and a mysterious kidnapping attempt helped investigators unravel the heist of a lifetime.
Jobs
A multi-billion-dollar single-family office in Los Altos, California, is hiring a senior controller. A big responsibility among others: Overseeing financial reporting, accounting, and cash flow management across more than 50 entities. Salary is up to $275,000 and you get a bonus.
The office of a New York real estate family is hiring an executive assistant. This person is expected to be in the Chelsea office five days a week, but they are flexible and claim to maintain a good work-life balance. It pays $120,000 plus benefits.
A family office in Miami needs a CFO. The job posting is totally ordinary; nothing about it is unique or interesting. Guess you’ll have to message the search firm and find out more.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore is hiring a trusts and estates administrator. It’s a full-time job and this person is required to come to the office a few days every week. Salary range is $90,000 to $120,000.
Behemoth recruiting firm Michael Page is helping a New York family office look for an accountant to help manage day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, investment tracking, and assist with tax preparation and planning. No salary is listed, but it’s a hybrid role and all of August work-from-home, they fully pay your medical benefits, and they have a 10% 401k match.
Other Stuff
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