Alumni Newsletter

DECEMBER 2024

Welcome to the second edition of our Attorney Alumni Newsletter.

I am excited to share our first Alumni Profile featuring former Real Estate partner Darrin Forbes. Visit pages two and three to learn what Darrin has been up to since leaving NGE.

As our office move to 225 West Randolph approaches, we are excited to share an exclusive look at the construction progress in our new space. We will share more about our progress in the upcoming newsletters.

Check out the news section for the latest updates from our attorneys, including a link to an insightful data privacy webinar.

Don’t forget to join our LinkedIn alum group to remain connected with your former colleagues and follow NGE on LinkedIn for more frequent updates.

Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest regards,

BOBBY GERBER Managing Partner

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

DARRIN FORBES

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Vice President-Legal

Time at NGE: 18 yrs

Former NGE practice group: Real Estate

Who had the biggest impact on you/ was the best mentor during your time at NGE?

Doug Lubelchek was the one mentor who had the most impact on me personally and professionally while at NGE, and we remain close to this day. I started working with Doug as a summer associate and continued to work with him throughout my career at NGE. Doug taught me how to practice law generally but also demonstrated through his actions how to treat clients and opposing counsel with respect, no matter how difficult the situation. Doug created many opportunities for me to grow and develop as an attorney which ultimately led to where I am today.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you received while working at NGE?

Do not lose sight of the big picture. Of course details matter and the small things are important, however, you have to have a practical approach. Too often, lawyers get lost in the minutia that not even their clients care about.

I have a lot of great memories over the years at NGE. I would say that the holiday parties were always the highlight of the year. Great venues, outstanding food, but most importantly, a special time to reconnect with colleagues. These personal connections are my fondest memories. Can you share a memory/funny anecdote from your time at NGE?

What is the biggest difference in your current job from when you were practicing at a law firm?

Besides not having to bill my time anymore?! The biggest difference is being more involved in business decisions from a very early stage. As outside counsel, my role was primarily focused on the legal aspects of a transaction after the business terms were mostly agreed upon. Each transaction had a defined beginning and end. Now, I work closely with our business team from initial underwriting through deal negotiation, closing and beyond. Following closing, I am involved with day-to-day operational matters which can cover a wide range of legal issues covering both transactional and litigation matters.

SHARE YOUR STORY

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out in the legal industry?

Learn your client’s business. This may sound cliché, but it is critical to become an expert not just in the law, but also the industries in which your clients operate. There are many qualified lawyers to choose from, however, the go-to lawyers are the ones that provide more than just legal advice. As a client, I place a high value on outside counsel that understands our business and can provide practical advice that is tailored to our objectives.

What’s your go-to strategy for overcoming professional challenges?

Confront issues directly and promptly by taking ownership before things escalate. Anticipate potential issues and solutions before they arise.

QUICK THOUGHTS

If you could acquire a new skill overnight, what would it be?

I have always wanted to be a firefighter. If I became a firefighter overnight, I’d be ok with that.

Best book you’ve read recently?

I don’t read as much as I’d like, I’m more into podcasts. Right now, Smartless with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes is my top choice. It’s hilarious and a great way to unwind and decompress.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, hands down. I don’t understand tea and the bags and all that stuff. Seems like way too much work for something that tastes like dirty water.

Texting or talking?

Texting. See how that was short and to the point? A call would never have ended that quickly.

Favorite junk food?

Reese’s peanut butter cups, greatest candy ever made hard stop. At Halloween, you get the pumpkin shaped ones, for Easter it’s egg shaped and Christmas of course it’s the tree shaped ones. You get the idea, they’re fun and delicious.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird. Nothing better than being the first one up and having a quiet house to get some work done.

Favorite travel destination for play?

Spain. We recently spent time in Madrid and Barcelona and it was remarkable. The people, food and culture were all great.

JOIN US AT NGE

Professional Development and Pro Bono Manager Role - OPEN

The impactful and important role of Professional Development and Pro Bono Manager is open. We would love to fill it with someone attuned to the firm’s values, people and culture. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead and innovate attorney training, professional development, and pro bono initiatives. You will develop impactful training curricula, implement mentorship and integration programs, and foster a culture of excellence in ethics, leadership, and attorney well-being.

Additionally, you will champion the firm’s pro bono efforts. You’ll foster relationships with organizations in need of our services and connect NGE attorneys with rewarding opportunities to serve the community. Our attorneys regularly work on meaningful pro bono matters related to wrongful convictions, immigration, reproductive healthcare, underinvested communities, small businesses, and even independent films. Recently, our pro bono clients included: The Obama Foundation, The Kennedy Forum, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Hope For The Day and The Resurrection Project Migrant Workshops.

If you’re passionate about empowering attorneys and driving positive change, this position is for you!

Click here for the complete job description.

Click here to read more about our Pro Bono work in NGE’s 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility report.

LIFE AT NGE

Coast Client Appreciation Event

MISSION: BELLPOSSIBLE

Our 2025 Office Move Takes Shape

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we are moving to The Bell at 225 West Randolph, a few blocks from our current home at 2 North LaSalle, in 2025. Our move marks a significant milestone as this is just our third location since our founding in 1986. Many of you remember our original home at 208 South LaSalle.

While moving offices is no small task after decades in the same location, our attorneys and staff are ready to take on the challenge of Mission: BellPossible! Construction of our new space is well underway, and we look forward to this exciting new chapter, as you can see in the photos. Our new offices will be located on floors 27 through 29, the top tenant floors of the building. They have been designed with our new work habits and hybrid working in mind, with a focus on creating more collaborative spaces, innovating with technology and enhancing our commitment to sustainability and overall wellbeing. Beyond our own space, we will share a fullyequipped fitness center, comfortable tenant lounges, and a rooftop with stunning views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan on the floors just above us. A ground–floor restaurant will give us a perfect spot to connect with clients, friends, and you, our alumni.

Thanks to CBRE, Clune Construction, Gensler and Novo, the key partners who helped bring our vision to life. Their creativity, expertise and thoughtfulness have been instrumental in creating our new home.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Bell in spring 2025. Stay tuned for updates and an invitation to visit your old firm in a new home once we’ve settled in!

NEW ARRIVALS

Lateral Hires

Christopher Batdorf-Barnes Associate Litigation

ACCOLADES

NGE Named

One of Vault’s

Top 150

Under 150

Benjamin Chertok Associate Labor & Employment

Best Law Firms Recognizes NGE As One of the Top Firms in the US NGE Achieves Sixth Consecutive Mansfield Certification

60 Neal Gerber Eisenberg Attorneys Included in 2025 of Best Lawyers in America

Real Estate Partner Beth Radichel Recognized Among “40 Under Forty 2024 - Illinois Attorneys to Watch”

Bobby Gerber, Michael Kelber and Leah Schleicher Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law

Jonathan Quinn and Karl Barnickol Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2025

Private Wealth Practice Group Chair Larry Richman Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2024

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 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.