How I Made Partner: A Law.com Interview with Andrea Fuelleman

April 7, 2022

How I Made Partner: 'Create A Plan and Be Your Own Advocate,' Says Andrea Fuelleman of Neal Gerber & Eisenberg "I believe it is important for attorneys to seek work opportunities in areas that may challenge their comfort level and find the path that appeals to their interests and skills, which can change over time."

Andrea S. Fuelleman, 38, Neal Gerber & Eisenberg, Chicago.

Practice area: Intellectual Property.

Law school and year of graduation: John Marshall Law School (which is now the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) 2012.

How long have you been at the firm? Since March 2012.

How long were you an associate at the firm? 10 years. I started working at the firm as a law clerk during my third year in law school, primarily to manage a worldwide anti-counterfeiting campaign for a firm client. After graduating law school, I joined the firm as a brand protection attorney, and over the course of the following years my responsibilities evolved to include a wide variety of trademark prosecution and enforcement-related matters. I transitioned to the associate/partnership track after about two years as a brand protection attorney, and I was elevated to partnership effective Jan. 1, 2022.

What criteria did you use when deciding to join your current firm?

It was important for me to find a firm

where I could do meaningful work from the very beginning, develop a broad and diverse legal practice and have opportunities for client contact. I found that right away at NGE. Being able to work with and learn from a team of sophisticated attorneys from early on in my legal career was integral to my growth as an attorney.

What’s the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner?

The NGE partnership has continued to be very supportive of its new partners’ professional growth and success. Incoming new partners aren’t left to their own to develop a successful practice; rather the “team” mentality is still very strong and motivating at the partnership level.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? I think the decision to elevating me to partner was a combination of a variety of traits and accomplishments. I have been commended for providing highquality work product and strategic guidance. I have been told that partners and clients rely on my ability to

courtesy photo

By Tasha Norman

Andrea Fuelleman

synthesize complex issues to make sound recommendations. I believe that my strong organization, research and management skills help me manage large trademark portfolios for multiple clients, leading to successful enforcement programs for which I have demonstrated a strong track record. I believe that my enthusiasm in expanding my network within the firm and pursuing new business opportunities has also played a big role in my growth as an attorney.

What’s the key to successful business development, in your

opinion, and how do you grow professionally while everyone is navigating a hybrid work system?

Staying top of mind and relevant is central to successful business development. The current remote/hybrid work system has created new and more frequent opportunities to “see” contacts where that would have previously been difficult, since many of our firm clients and my network base is outside of Chicago.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? I have been fortunate to have several mentors, both formal and informal, who have provided invaluable advise and support that helped my progression to partner. In particular, there are several partners in NGE’s intellectual property group who push me to be a better advocate for both myself and my clients and have helped me navigate inside the law firm, while finding the right work-life balance. And of course, the constant support from my family has been a driving factor in motivating me to persevere as both an attorney and mother.

What advice could you give an associate who wants to make partner? First and foremost, continue to do great work and seek opportunities to put yourself in a position for success. Create a plan and let those that you with know your plan, and be your own advocate, both within and outside of your practice group.

When it comes to career planning and navigating inside a law firm, in your opinion, what’s the most common mistake you see other attorneys making? It is common to see law school students think that they need to decide their career path early on, for example whether to become a career litigator or transactional attorney. While some young attorneys have a strong sense of what they want their practice to look like, many do not. Additionally, interests, priorities and skills can change over time, and that should be embraced. I believe it is important for attorneys to seek work opportunities in areas that may challenge their comfort level and find the path that appeals to their interests and skills, which can change over time.

What challenges did you face in your career path and how did it influence your career? I had a career in advertising and marketing prior to becoming a lawyer, and made a decision after several years in that industry to test my skills in a different capacity and make a career change. During law school and as a new attorney, many of my classmates and attorneys at my level were at different life stages with different priorities. Trying to balance an education, legal career and family life certainly came with its challenges. However, coming into the legal profession with several years of practical, real-world experience from my advertising career definitely helped prepare me for the challenges ahead

Photo: MJgraphics/Shutterstock

April 7, 2022

and repurpose my organizational and management skills. In particular, my prior experiences helped me to set better goals and focus on the task ahead, so I knew what I wanted to get out of each step along the way and make the experiences as meaningful as possible.

Knowing what you know now what advice would you give to your younger self? Don’t get too comfortable with the present day. Continue to push yourself to find your “success,” whatever that may be or become.

What lessons did you learn in 2020/2021 (the COVID-19 years)? I learned that change can lead to really positive outcomes. Transitioning to remote working during the uncertainty of the pandemic was not necessarily seamless, but, as I fell into a good cadence and adjusted to a new remote schedule, I found myself able to fine-tune my time management skills without compromising my time with the people and activities outside of work that are important to me.

What three key elements you would like to focus on for 2022. Be present and mindful. Be authentic. Business development is a marathon, not a sprint.

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