Jerry H. Biederman, the managing partner of Chicago-based law firm Neal Gerber Eisenberg LLP has taken top honors as the 2005 Interlawyer of the Year.  The formal presentation was made by Interlaw Board Chair Jim Harrowell, of Australian law firm Hunt & Hunt, at Interlaw’s annual meeting, which was hosted this year by Interlaw member and Mexican law firm Capin, Calderón, Ramírez y Gutiérrez-Azpe. Among the seventy-five Interlaw delegates from some 60 member firms attended the 2005 gala, which was held in the courtyard of the Chapultepec Castle above Mexico City, were Mr. Biederman’s wife, Kathy, and mother, Marjorie Biederman.   

Interlawyer of the Year is presented to the Interlaw member who has demonstrated outstanding and creative proactive involvement that contributes significantly to the core values of the organization. “Jerry Biederman,” said Harrowell, “exemplifies the spirit of Interlaw, encouraging relationship- development on every level by opening his law office to visiting Interlawyers and their clients. Neal Gerber Eisenberg regularly hosts fellow Interlawyers attending Chicago conferences such as Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Bar Association, and those Interlawyers who are in Chicago for other client business. Neal Gerber Eisenberg partners have introduced Interlawyers to international business and legal media and to their own global clients, are hosting the 2006 NARE meeting and are active in the Interlaw Special Business Teams, especially Women Lawyers of Interlaw. Jerry Biederman himself serves on Interlaw’s newly-formed Task Force for Business Development. And finally, in a model of Interlaw collaborative legal representation of a respected global client, Neal Gerber Eisenberg currently quarterbacks a multi-jurisdictional client matter involving 15 Interlaw member firms encompassing nearly 20 cities worldwide. Jerry Biederman has only been a member of Interlaw for two years yet he has never missed a meeting or an opportunity to make the most of the association. He is a model to us all.”

Beverly L. Weise, Interlaw’s executive director commented, “The Interlaw Board of Directors unanimously selected Jerry as Interlawyer of the Year for his enthusiasm, leadership, and wisdom in engaging as many of his colleagues in as many Interlaw activities as possible. He was a new member when he hosted Association of Corporate Counsel members, Interlawyers, business and legal media, and distinguished guests for a reception and dinner, and his involvement has even gotten better as time goes on. Most recently the Board selected Jerry to serve on a special task force, his firm sent two delegates to the Women Lawyers of Interlaw Americas meeting, and Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s marketing director presented at Interlaw’s global marketing meeting in Boston last month. Jerry Biederman is a much admired leader and a valued friend to Interlaw.”

In addition to managing the Chicago-based Neal Gerber Eisenberg, Mr. Biederman runs an integrated corporate practice of high-end transactions and restructurings, with an emphasis in real estate, tax, and wealth management. A graduate of Stanford University, he earned his law degree from University of Chicago and is fluent is several languages. His client matters cover several countries. Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a Chicago firm providing legal services to a diverse group of clients in a wide array of domestic and global business transactions and litigation matters. Their clients include privately and publicly held companies, financial institutions, non-profit organizations and high net worth individuals. Their client base reflects virtually every business industry, including a number of Fortune 100 companies.

Website: www.ngelaw.com.