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Sendurai Mani: The Boomerang of Life, When the Past Comes Full Circle

Sendurai Mani and John Tarantino

Jun 10, 2025, 09:42

Sendurai Mani: The Boomerang of Life, When the Past Comes Full Circle

Sendurai Mani, Dean’s Chair for Translational Oncology at Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The Boomerang of Life: When the Past Comes Full Circle.

I always walk away with powerful lessons after conversations with John Tarantino, CEO of Iylon Precision Oncology, and this one truly stood out.

In his third year of law school, John competed in a moot court competition with a brilliant partner. They advanced to the finals with what many believed were winning arguments—only to lose by one point.

The reason? John didn’t wear a suit. One of the judges, who was a practicing lawyer, deducted two points, saying his blue sports coat was too informal for the appellate court. What the judge didn’t know: John didn’t own a suit. He couldn’t afford one.

John was devastated—not just for himself, but because his partner missed her shot at the national level of competition over John’s appearance, not their ability.

Years later, John’s moot court partner—now an in-house lawyer—called John to handle a high-stakes appellate case. She said, “I’ve been waiting years for this moment. Your opposing counsel? Our moot court judge.”

This time, John walked into the appellate court in a custom-made suit. He argued well before the appellate panel and ultimately won the case. But immediately after the oral argument, the lawyer/former moot court judge approached to compliment John on his argument. John replied, “ Thank you. But you’ve heard me argue once before—at Boston College.

You served as our moot court judge, and you punished me and my partner because I wore a sports jacket. I didn’t own a suit. I couldn’t afford one. Your two-point deduction stopped us from going to the nationals.” The attorney paused to remember, stunned by what he’d just heard, and then apologized. John accepted the apology. The past was the past.

What stayed with John wasn’t the moot court loss, but the lesson: Your circumstances don’t define your capability. And integrity, perseverance, and preparation will always outlast perception.

Grateful for the people who believe in us—and never forget.”

Sendurai Mani shared a personal leadership story about John Tarantino, emphasizing how early setbacks rooted in socioeconomic barriers can evolve into defining moments of growth and redemption. The reflection underlines the enduring power of perseverance, integrity, and resilience.

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