Nora Klein
Associate
Office: Chicago
Years at Firm: 2
What is an interesting fact about yourself that others may not know?
I played college golf at University of Illinois and in September 2019 I will be competing in the United States Women’s Mid-Amateur National Championship in Flagstaff Arizona. This will be the 33rd annually national championship for female golfers over 25 years old. The United States Golf Association runs 16 National Championships a year and to be able to play in one is every golfer’s dream. I feel so grateful to work at a place that quite literally supports me on and off the golf course.
What is the biggest opportunity and greatest challenge facing clients in your area of focus today?
The biggest challenge for our clients is also the biggest opportunity – how to grow in the revolutionary and highly profitable yet competitive life sciences industry, which is continuously expanding into new and often groundbreaking subsectors. Navigating these issues makes working at McDermott an enjoyable challenge. We not only need to assist our clients in finding innovative ways to grow their enterprises and remain compliant with healthcare rules and regulations, but also provide thoughtful, forward-looking solutions and plans that allow them to grow as these new subsectors emerge.
What is your favorite part about practicing life sciences law at McDermott?
I really like that we get to work with clients who are on the leading edge of life sciences. We are called to think critically about issues that no one has thought about before and provide clients with innovative ways to grow their business. Also, the people at McDermott are not only brilliant, but a pleasure to work with. They truly care about my development and growth as an attorney.
What kind of client work gets you most excited when it comes across your desk?
I’m always excited when clients approach us for advice as business advisors in addition to our counsel as lawyers. I enjoy legal drafting and thinking about various legal issues, but I also really love assisting clients as they grow their business and thinking critically about various business strategies in this complex and highly regulated space.
What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
There is really no particular moment that sticks out to me as a “proudest moment in my career.” Rather, it has been a string of moments when I have had the opportunity to provide a thoughtful legal response that led to a successful business decision. I have also really been very happy to have helped so many clients expand or sell their businesses.
