To celebrate his 50th birthday, Nimish Patel, vice chairman and partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles, successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. During his adventure, Patel says he discovered ways to become a more effective firm leader and advocate for his clients.

Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano containing three volcanic cones and stands over 19,318 feet, is the highest mountain in Africa and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Patel started his climb July 25 and returned safely Aug. 1.