ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
JUNE
2025
Welcome to the 2nd quarter 2025 Attorney Alumni Newsletter. We’re excited to officially be moved into our new office, The Bell. Attorneys and staff are enjoying our beautiful new offices full of natural light, along with more convenient access to our colleagues and snacks!
In this edition, we proudly feature someone near and dear to me: IP’s very own alum, Kate Nye. Kate first joined us in 2008 as a summer associate and in what seems like the blink of an eye, she became a partner in 2018. In addition to her sharp intellect, Kate brought to NGE her wry sense of humor (don’t believe me, just read her profile), creative energy, fashion sense and great taste in music – the last of which is particularly important when sharing a 5-hour drive to a client meeting in the middle of Ohio. Our group benefited from Kate’s leadership, training of our junior attorneys and excellent legal skills. Kate left us in 2021 to join Gap Inc., where she now serves as Associate General Counsel. While we miss her contributions to the IP group and the firm as a whole, Gap is lucky to have her talent and fashion sense and we are delighted to retain her friendship.
The newsletter also includes updates on our work in the community, recent firm accolades, a list of our new lateral attorneys (including the return of an attorney alum), and a fresh look at our new offices, exclusive to our Attorney Alumni Network.
Be sure to join NGE’s LinkedIn Alumni Group and follow the firm’s LinkedIn page for more updates.
From everyone at NGE, have a wonderful summer!
Warmest regards,
MICHAEL KELBER Partner / Practice Group Leader
Intellectual Property
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Tony McShane & Michael Kelber both made me into the lawyer I am today, for which I am incredibly grateful. Who had the biggest impact on you during your time at NGE?
What’s the best piece of professional advice you received while working at NGE?
There are so many Tony McShane-isms that run through my head fairly often – “not enough notes,” “send a nu-uh letter,” “I need a wedding album photo” – but the truly best thing Tony ever did, and that I have tried to emulate, was take on all of the mistakes of the team as his own. Whenever something went wrong, he always reiterated that the buck stopped with him, and asked how we can prevent this from happening again, rather than looking for a scapegoat or blaming someone else on the team. I think emulating that mindset has allowed me to advance in my career both at NGE and now at Gap.
Inventor of McShane-isms
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KATE’S QUICK THOUGHTS
KATE NYE
Current Company and Position: Gap Inc., Associate General Counsel
Time at NGE: 2008 – 2021
Former NGE practice group: Intellectual Property
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the legal industry?
The first step to getting what you want is deciding what you want. I think it’s easy as a junior associate to assume you want to be a partner because it’s the clear next step, it’s a gold star and we’re all used to collecting gold stars. But it’s important to think about what you really value and want out of a job – whether it’s intellectual challenge, prestige, control over your time, decision-making authority, problem-solving, helping people, etc. Once you decide what you want out of a job, it’s SO much easier to go and get it.
How do you like to start your workday – any morning routines you swear by?
I need three beverages to start my day: a big cup of ice water, a cup of coffee (iced, preferably, weather permitting), and a smoothie for protein and fiber. I think with three big drinks, I can conquer the world.
I recently started powerlifting competitively. I can deadlift over 300 lbs and back squat over 250 lbs. What’s a hidden talent that most people don’t know about?
If you could acquire a new skill overnight, what would it be?
I’d be a really gifted pianist. I can pick out a scale or half of “Heart & Soul,” but beyond that, I’m no good. It would be so nice to be able to just sit down at a piano bench and PLAY.
Best book you’ve read recently?
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Trader Joe’s has these “snacky clusters” which are a fever dream of chocolate covered pretzels, corn chips, and potato chips. Truly diabolical. That salty/ sweet combo really hits. Favorite junk food?
Favorite travel destination for work ?
Because Gap Inc. is headquartered in SF and has an office in NYC, I’m in those two cities a lot for work, and I have to say, that’s a combo that’s very tough to beat.
Favorite travel destination for play?
Anywhere with a beach and no kids allowed.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Let us know if you would like to be profiled in a future newsletter. Email alumni@nge.com
RECENT NGE CLIENT ALERTS
LIFE AT NGE
NGE hosted a Step Up “Explore Career Pathways” field trip on April 9 at which local teen girls heard from attorneys and staff about their careers and participated in speed networking with firm employees. Step Up Event
Fostering Resilience in Times of Overwhelm
More > Navigating Global Privacy Control’s Not-So-Simple Implementation
Cybersecurity Law Report Partner | David Wheeler
or bad for LPs?
Staff Appreciation Week
Prior to our move, we commemorated Staff Appreciation Week, the week of March 31, with catered breakfasts, in-office spa treatments and a “Guess That Colleague” photo contest.
More > Cyber Incidents Are D&O Problems, Too, Expert Says
ACCOLADES
Should Employers Report Nonbinary Employees on the EEO-1 Form?
| Michael Kelber
On April 17, licensed psychologist Dr. Caroline Adelman, PhD, shared insights on how we can counter stress response triggers and focus our energy on what matters most, during a fireside chat with Labor & Employment Partner Sonya Rosenberg.
Day
Play ball! On April 2, we celebrated the opening of the 2025 MLB season with an office lunch of ballpark favorites. Cubs and White Sox fans put their differences aside to enjoy hot dogs, pretzels, nachos and ice cream. MLB Opening
NGE IN THE COMMUNITY
For the fifth consecutive year, 100% of our firm’s attorneys made personal contributions to the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Investing in Justice Campaign. This campaign raises funds to provide critical legal assistance to thousands in need, with contributions going directly to over 30 pro bono and legal aid organizations in the Chicagoland area. Chicago Bar Foundation’s Investing in Justice Campaign
MISSION: BELLPOSSIBLE
We’re excited to share that Mission Bellpossible is complete! On May 5th, we officially made 225 W. Randolph home. Eager to share our sleek new space, we have already hosted client meetings and few events.
Intellectual Property attorneys Andrew Fraker and Joseph Sherling were recognized by the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois with the “Excellence in Pro Bono Service” Award. This award recognizes lawyers who have provided outstanding pro bono representation and advocacy to their community.
Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois
Bobby Gerber and Sonia Menon attended the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois (HLSF) 2025 Scholarship reception on April 24, along with Labor & Employment Partner and HLSF Board Member, Alex Dominguez. As a lead sponsor, NGE was able to provide scholarships to three deserving law students this year.
While we continue work on the production detailing our move, we can share timelapse footage of the construction process of our internal staircase. Some of you may recall the internal staircase in our former office at 2 N. LaSalle.
View Footage >
Attorneys and staff attended the All Stars Project (ASP) of Chicago Spring Benefit on May 8, raising over $500,000 for the organization’s programs and initiatives. COO Sonia Menon chairs the ASP Chicago Board. Managing Partner Bobby Gerber also serves as a board member. ASP provides mentorship and development opportunities to youth in low income
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING OUR ALUMNI IN OUR NEW SPACE.
Look for an announcement of our first alumni networking event soon!
All Stars Spring Benefit
Excellence in Pro Bono Award
ANDREW FRAKER JOSEPH SHERLING
NEW ARRIVALS
SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS
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.
Kate Bond Chicago-Kent College of Law
Autumn Chassie University of Notre Dame Law School
Karma Karira University of Michigan Law School
Marshall McDorman University of Illinois College of Law