ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2025
Welcome to the 1st quarter 2025 edition of our Attorney Alumni Newsletter.
It’s an exciting time at NGE, as we are now just weeks away from saying goodbye to 2 N. LaSalle after 32 years. Check out the progress on our beautiful new space at 225 West Randolph (a/k/a The Bell) in the Mission: BellPossible section of the Newsletter.
As we look forward to our future, our Alumni Spotlight features a key player in the firm’s history, Stephen Fedo. Stephen was one of the original associates at NGE, and went on to co-lead our litigation practice before serving as the firm’s General Counsel. Stephen was a wonderful mentor and friend to countless NGE attorneys during his time here. The firm benefited greatly from his sage counsel over the years. Be sure to check out his go-to strategy for overcoming professional challenges – it’s “can’t miss” advice.
This edition also features updates on our new website (now featuring pets!), recent client alerts and presentations from firm attorneys, updates on promotions and recent hires, and more.
Please be sure to join our LinkedIn alum group and follow NGE on LinkedIn for more frequent updates.
We hope you enjoy this quarter’s Newsletter. We look forward to welcoming you to The Bell soon!
Warmest regards,
KYLE RETTBERG Partner / Firm General Counsel
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
STEPHEN FEDO
Mostly retired as a lawyer; continuing to work as an actor and writer
Time at NGE: 37 years + 2 days (1986-2023)
Former NGE practice group: Litigation; also served as General Counsel
Who had the biggest impact on you/ was the best mentor during your time at NGE?
Phil Neal
What’s the best piece of professional advice you received while working at NGE?
“Do your time every day.”
What is the biggest difference in your current job from when you were practicing at a law firm?
Of course, my work now is much different from practicing law, though preparing for performance and preparing for trial are not too dissimilar.
What is the biggest change you’ve seen impact the legal industry in your time as a practicing lawyer?
Technology, without question: from the production of written materials to what it means to “appear” for a conference, hearing or other proceeding—it has all changed in ways that were unimaginable when I began practicing.
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out in the legal industry?
As much as may be practicable (and it is often by no means easy), think of your clients as colleagues and your colleagues as clients.
What’s your go-to strategy for overcoming professional challenges?
Say quietly to yourself: “Even assholes are human beings.” Repeat until you almost believe it.
If you were to write a book about your career, what would the title be?
“Lucky To Be Here.” So many turning points in my career came about by sheer happenstance— impromptu and barely-considered decisions in circumstances that seemed unimportant at the time but that, remarkably, made all the difference.
How do you like to start your workday – any morning routines you swear by?
I think it was Carl Reiner who said, “I get up in the morning and look at the newspaper. If I’m not in the obituaries, I have breakfast.”
STEPHEN’S QUICK THOUGHTS
I can make a decent dinner with the contents of a mostly-empty refrigerator. What’s a hidden talent that most people don’t know about?
Best book you’ve read recently?
“We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland,” by Fintan O’Toole
If you could acquire a new skill overnight, what would it be?
Fluency in at least two languages other than English.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Early bird or night owl?
As a lawyer, I was an early bird. These days, I’m a night owl.
Favorite junk food?
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish
Favorite travel destination for work?
Any place I’d never been before.
Favorite travel destination for play?
Italy—there isn’t a close second.
Let us know if you would like to be profiled in a future newsletter. Email alumni@nge.com
RECENT NGE CLIENT ALERTS
3.24.25 | Earl Melamed; Corporate &
11.21.24 | Karl Barnickol, Angela Elbert, Lee Eulgen, Kristin Michaels, Elizabeth Radichel, David Wheeler; Hospitality & Leisure
LIFE AT NGE
We rang in the holiday season together at Boleo’s stunning rooftop bar, where we recognized the NGE Outstanding Achievement award winners among our staff. Holiday Party
Black History Month Panel
In celebration of Black History Month, we hosted a panel with our NGE colleagues focused on the differences of perspective among Black Americans.
Equality Illinois Gala
We were thrilled to sponsor the Equality Illinois Gala once again, which is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois. As one of the biggest LGBTQ+ gatherings in the country, it serves as an opportunity to call for equality and justice for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups.
NCAA Client Event
We tipped off the spring by hosting clients and friends at our annual NCAA men’s basketball game watch party.
CHECK OUT THE NEW NGE.COM
In February, we launched a redesign of NGE.com, the firm’s website. The updated site features improved navigation and enhanced search functionality along with redesigned attorney biography pages and dynamic imagery throughout the site.
Be sure to check out the newest feature, our Pet Apprentice section, where our attorneys have shared their loyal companions.
PRO BONO
2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
In the past year, we have made significant progress in improving access to justice and promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging, all while continuing our commitment to sustainability. Click here to read the full report and learn more about our initiatives and the organizations we partner with to create positive change in our communities.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
March 8th marked International Women’s Day, a day of recognition and celebration of women and their accomplishments that we proudly amplify each year. In 2025, we are called to accelerate gender equality in our workplaces and communities.
Click here to watch how we celebrate, support and uplift the women of our firm.
MISSION: BELLPOSSIBLE
We are counting down the days until we officially move to 225 West Randolph.
As you can see in the photos below, things are taking shape at our new home. We are excited to share our progress with our alumni network.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING OUR ALUMNI IN OUR NEW SPACE.
Look for an announcement of our first alumni networking event soon!
PROMOTION & NEW ARRIVALS
Promotion to Partner
Lateral Hires
Kate Campbell Partner Intellectual Property
Freya Bowen Counsel Litigation & Disputes
Jarrett Gross Counsel Litigation & Disputes
Aaron Weiss Counsel Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
ACCOLADES
Read More >
Read More > WTR 1000 Ranks Six NGE Attorneys
Kelly Bershader Leyens
Professional Development & Pro Bono Manager Alumni Hire
Tina DeMento & Michael Gray on Legal 500 Elite Focus Chicago Corporate/M&A
Sonya Rosenberg appointed global co-chair of Interlaw Employment, Labor, Pensions team
Read More >
Sonia Menon Named Board Chair of The All Stars Project of Chicago
Read More >
SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS
Did you get a promotion or a new job? Get married? Welcome a baby?
Send us your news and milestones to alumni@nge.com 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.