ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
40 YEARS OF TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS | MARCH 2026
Welcome to the first 2026 edition of our Alumni Newsletter, a year that marks a significant milestone for the firm. This February, the firm proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary. Throughout the year, we look forward to continuing this celebration, sharing stories and reflections from our alumni over the decades and managing partners who have helped shape NGE into what it is today.
In this edition, we are delighted to spotlight one of NGE’s founders, Jim Gardner. Jim played a key role in shaping the firm’s Litigation practice, eventually co-leading the practice alongside Stephen Fedo and later, Scott Fisher. To clients and colleagues alike, Jim was a trusted advisor and mentor. He had a remarkable ability to make his associate mentees feel welcome and truly part of the team. I’m confident that many of us still smile at the fond and funny memories, including the nicknames he bestowed on us (looking at you, Scully and Mulder!). Jim consistently reminded us that hard work, exceptional legal skills, and humor are not mutually exclusive— and that even amid the intensity of legal practice, there is always room for joy and laughter.
As always, we invite you to stay connected. If you haven’t already, please join our LinkedIn Attorney Alumni Network and follow NGE for more frequent updates and content throughout the year.
Warmest regards,
TONYA NEWMAN Partner, Litigation and Disputes Practice Chair
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Take us back to your early days at NGE. What stands out most when you think about the firm in the late ’80s / early ’90s?
What stands out the most is the excitement of starting a firm from the ground up and making it a success. We had a common bond that brought everyone together.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you received while at the firm?
The best piece of advice I got when I first started practicing law was to return every phone call the same day (there was no email yet). Clients may not appreciate what you are writing, but they know when you don’t return an email or a text.
Who had the greatest impact on you during your time at NGE?
Antony, the catering manager, taught me how to get what I wanted when I wanted it. Of course it was Phil Neal. Unquestionably, the best lawyer I ever knew and a terrific person to be with — an unusual combination.
JIM GARDNER
Current Company and Position: Retired from NGE and Arbitrator at JKGardnerLaw
Time at NGE: 32 Years
Former NGE practice group: Litigation & Disputes, co-chair
What was the most significant change in technology during your years at NGE, and how did it affect the way you practiced law?
Probably electricity. Candles worked well during the day but at night they often dripped on the documents causing all kinds of problems.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the legal profession today?
You grew up in a world where technology impacts everything you do every day. Stop communicating solely online and arrange to meet the people you are working with. You won’t have clients, but the people with whom you develop a personal relationship may be your clients one day. Plus, personal relationships are more fun and fulfilling than an electronic one.
Is there anything, from the firm or the era, that you think deserves a comeback?
Candles, just to learn how to work with them more effectively.
So much has changed since the ’80s and ’90s. What has stayed surprisingly consistent for you?
We are a personal services business. Technology may make us better at our jobs, but it cannot replace the one-on-one relationship of trust that our clients have with us.
One thing younger lawyers today would not believe about practicing law in the ’80s/’90s?
It may be hard to imagine a life before the internet— electric typewriters with corrections by hand, no electronic communication, documents exchanged or filed by messengers. The internet has increased our time commitments exponentially. Just one example the time to file court documents went from 5 pm to midnight.
JIM’S
If you were to write a memoir about your career, what would the title be?
How to Practice Law and Enjoy Doing It.
QUICK THOUGHTS
Best book you’ve read recently.
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin; I generally read nonfiction except for Carl Hiaasen.
Best travel destination.
Always Italy but also Buenos Aires.
One destination still on your wish list.
Vietnam, although I spent years trying not to go there.
Favorite guilty pleasure snack.
Dairy Queen Blizzard.
Most adventurous thing you’ve done outside of work.
Either going back to school as an undergrad or taking my 80 year old driver’s road test (I passed with a nice gratuity to the DMV person).
A hobby you picked up after retiring.
None, just trying to get better at the ones I have.
Best or worst fashion trend you participated in at work.
Worst: 1980’s Prince Valiant haircut.
MANAGING PARTNER INTERVIEW
JERRY BIEDERMAN
NGE’s First Ever Managing Partner
You were both a founding partner and the firm’s first managing partner. Looking back at the firm’s earliest days, what problem were you and the other founding partners trying to solve, and how did that original vision shape the way you led the firm?
We weren’t trying to solve a problem as much as reacting to the shortcomings of our previous firm, which we did not want to replicate. This shaped the values to which we aspired: the highest quality of legal practice both in terms of the type of work we undertook and the skill and judgment with which we delivered it; collegiality and congeniality throughout the firm; and a deep-seated concern for the success of our clients and the well-being of our attorneys and staff.
During your 18 years as managing partner, what were the most pivotal changes the firm experienced, and which ones do you believe mattered most in hindsight?
The biggest changes were really changes in the practice of law. We began analyzing the profitability of our practices (amazingly, this was not something law firms did—we were a real pioneer, and many of our leaders had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the idea). We grew a lot in size (I think we probably doubled our attorney head count) and added new practice areas, most notably intellectual property, now our largest practice group. And, we formalized a lot of our networking (most notably through Interlaw) and marketing. Law is really a different business today than when I became managing partner, but I believe we are still conducting it with the same values with which we founded the firm.
What do you hope alumni see in the firm today that can be traced back to decisions made during your time as managing partner?
While managing partners certainly must confront crises, seize opportunities, and think strategically, I believe that, more than anything else, we serve as stewards of the firm’s values and its continuity. Rather than focusing on specific decisions, I hope that others will look back on their time at the firm with the same mixture of pride, satisfaction, and joy that I have felt over the past 40 years.
What advice would you offer to today’s firm leaders and to alumni watching the firm enter its next chapter?
The ground keeps shifting around us: among other things we now have AI to deal with. Be nimble, be flexible, be open to new ideas and stay transparent while you are doing so. There will undoubtedly be missteps along the way, but I am confident the firm will not just continue, but thrive.
What was your proudest accomplishment as managing partner?
Without question, the attorneys I helped to recruit. I think my passion for the firm was apparent and ultimately helped to persuade a number of people who at least initially believed they would have been better off somewhere else (usually a much larger firm) to join the firm. I can’t imagine a better group of lawyers than those at NGE—both homegrown and laterals.
INAUGURAL ALUMNI EVENT
Join us for a landmark evening as we host our inaugural alumni event at our new office on June 9th. We look forward to hosting you for conversation and reconnection! Be on the lookout for an invitation coming early April.
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
As part of our 40th anniversary, we’ve been reflecting not only on NGE’s history, but on the people who helped shape it. Wherever your path has taken you since your time at the firm, you remain an important part of the NGE story.
In an upcoming newsletter, we’ll be sharing a “Where Are They Now?“ snapshot of our alumni community, highlighting the many places, roles, and pursuits former colleagues have taken on since leaving NGE. We’d love to include you in this snapshot. Please click here to share a quick update on what you’re up to now. Your responses will help bring the alumni network to life and allow former colleagues to see where and how you’ve landed.
On Tuesday, February 2, attorneys and staff gathered for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to toast 40 years of NGE. Additionally, to commemorate this milestone and celebrate our long-standing partnership, we made a $40,000 donation to All Stars Project of Chicago. Cocktail Reception
Chicago Foods
Midweek, we paid homage to the city and enjoyed a Chicago-themed lunch featuring Garrett’s popcorn, delicious deep dish pizza and Portillo’s chocolate cake.
80’s Party
We wrapped up the week in true 1986 style with an ‘80s-themed celebration complete with some rad snacks and candy that were totally tubular. The tunes were fresh, and nostalgia was in the air.
Time Capsule & Memory Wall
To commemorate this milestone, attorneys and staff participated in an NGE Memory Wall and a time capsule, sharing memories, client successes, predictions for the future of the firm, and more. There were no wrong answers, and the possibilities were endless!
VALUES IN ACTION
International Women’s Day
To mark International Women’s Day, NGE brought women across the firm together for a lunch focused on connection, reflection, and shared accomplishments. The gathering created space to celebrate the collective contributions of women at NGE, exchange experiences, and strengthen relationships across roles and generations. It underscored the importance we place on community, inclusion, and recognizing the people who help shape our firm every day.
Equality Illinois Gala
We were proud to once again sponsor the Equality Illinois Gala. This event celebrates the progress of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in advancing equality, strengthening representation, and building a more inclusive society.
Adaptive Leadership and Contextual Intelligence Program
As part of our ongoing investment in leadership development, Dr. Adelman helped us develop a clear understanding of adaptive skills that high performing leaders possess. She challenged us to think differently about leadership in moments of change, including promoting effective teamwork and leveraging diverse viewpoints to better understand emerging trends within the legal profession.
Algorithms, Equity, and the Law: Are We Building Fair Systems?
In recognition of Black History Month, NGE hosted a firmwide program examining the intersection of civil rights and artificial intelligence. Venu Gupta, Executive Director of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and David Wheeler, a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice and leader of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy team, discussed the ways that AI can perpetuate discrimination and biases, and the lessons we can learn from historical civil rights efforts.
NEW ARRIVALS
Steve Pflaum appointed to Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission Review Board
Read More > NGE Partners Recognized in Crain’s 2026 Notable Women in Law Read More > World Trademark Review Recognizes Six NGE Partners
Read More > Illinois Super Lawyers 2026 Recognizes 20 Neal Gerber Eisenberg Attorneys
Read More >
Berkeley Recognized Among ISBA’s 2025 Distinguished Counselors Read More >
Whitney B.E. Jenkins Associate
Jeffrey D. Glickman Partner
Laurel W. Salisbury Associate Intellectual Property
Nicole (Nikki) Ferdows Associate Real Estate
RECENT NGE CLIENT ALERTS
IP Recent Decisions Raise Critical Concerns and Uncertainty for AI Use in Legal Matters
2.10.26 | David Wheeler, Josh Hanson; Intellectual Property
Read Alert >
IP New Year, New Privacy Requirements
2.10.26 | Kate Campbell; Intellectual Property
Read Alert >
IP Privacy Ruling Shows How CIPA Conflicts With Modern Tech
2.3.26 | David Wheeler; Intellectual Property
Read Alert >
FEATURED IN THE NEWS
NGE’s New Office Featured in Chicago Lawyer
Read More >
IN THE MEDIA
Beyond HIPAA: Navigating the DOJ’s New Bulk Data Thresholds for Hospitality AI
David Wheeler | Partner
Hospitality Technology
Read More >
Benefits Attys Lock In On High Court As 2026 Gets Underway
Jeff Bakker | Partner
Law360
Read More > Celebrity Rows, D&O Woes Top ’26 Specialty Insurance Cases
Freya Bowen | Counsel
Law360
Read More >
STAY CONNECTED
SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS
Did you get a promotion or a new job? Get married? Welcome a baby? Send us your news and milestones so we can celebrate with you.
Join the Neal Gerber Eisenberg Attorney Alumni Network on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest news from the firm and connect with your fellow alumni.
Visit the NGE Alumni page on NGE.com to share your updated contact information with us.
