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Drew Greene, 36, Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Office: Atlanta

Practice Area: Commercial Litigation.

Law school and year of graduation: Emory University School of Law, 2009.

How long have you been at the firm? I have been an attorney at Chamberlain Hrdlicka since 2010, so a little over 10 years now.

How long were you an associate at the firm? I was an associate just shy of 10 years before I was elevated to shareholder in February 2020.

Drew Greene.

Were you an associate at another firm before joining your present firm? When I graduated from law school in 2009, I had an offer in hand from a global intellectual property firm in Atlanta. Unfortunately, at that time our economy was experiencing the Great Recession, similar to where we find ourselves today, facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ten days after graduation, I received the dreaded, but not uncommon news, at that time that my offer of employment was deferred for a year with no promise of a position at the end of that year. Given the uncertainty at the time, I accepted a position working as a volunteer special prosecutor at the DeKalb County District Attorney's office for a brief stint to gain any experience I could. Knowing I wanted to work on the civil side, I quickly sought out employment with Chamberlain Hrdlicka in early 2010 as an associate and I never looked back.

What year did you make partner at your current firm? I was elevated to shareholder during our annual shareholder's retreat on February 8, 2020.

What's the biggest surprise you experienced in becoming partner? The firm is very transparent about its expectations for shareholders, so the goals and growth paths are outlined clearly. The shareholders at the firm have been incredibly supportive and even jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with me on various client projects and elevate my growing practice.

What do you think was the deciding point for the firm in making you partner? I do not think there was any one factor, case, client, or connection that was the deciding point in elevating me to shareholder. I have been practicing as an associate with an eye toward making shareholder since the beginning of my career with Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Key personality traits for a litigation shareholder are good judgement, hard (and may times tireless) work and tenacity – something I believe was recognized early on by the firm shareholders and management.

Describe how you feel now about your career now that you've made partner. I am starting my career as a shareholder in uncertain and trying times for both clients and attorneys, which will require adaptation and evolution to match the ever-changing environment. However, I am energized and motivated more than ever to start the next chapter of my career with colleagues I respect and appreciate immensely.

What's the key to successful business development in your opinion? Results. In my experience, business development as a trial attorney differs from other practice groups such as estate planning, real estate, or corporate where traditional business development tactics tend to be more effective. When clients come to us, they may be distressed or facing potential acrimonious litigation or the need to eventually restructure or reorganize a business. While being able to leverage a large network is important, I believe the key to a trial attorney's business development strategy centers on two things: (1) early on is to put in the time, effort and passion into a case that produces successful results; and (2) fill in the word of mouth reputation you earned by continuing to position yourself as a thought leader by providing value to clients, publishing articles and speaking.

What's been the biggest change, day-to-day, in your routine since becoming partner? A bigger pen budget! In all seriousness though, there has not been a real change in my day-to-day routine. I attribute all my hard work and dedication to becoming a shareholder since day one by managing up, managing down, interacting with clients, arguing motions, taking full responsibility, etc. I still keep my head down and work as hard as is physically and mentally possible for my clients while focusing on the end goal of each case and the steps to get there.

Who had the greatest influence in your career that helped propel you to partner? Hands down, Jimmy L. Paul. Jimmy is the shareholder I have worked under for the majority of my career at Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Prior to joining his team, he had an intimidating and impressive reputation as a seasoned trial attorney with over 40 years of experience. When I started working with him, I was concerned about how I might fare on his team. After spending nearly a decade working directly with him (it now seems more like many, many decades), I have learned from him what it truly means to be a zealous advocate for clients, to live and breathe a case from cradle to grave, and to give everything you have to a fight. Jimmy likes to say in his distinct southern accent every day: "See, you learned something new today." He is right, and I look forward to learning and growing every day as a shareholder. Jimmy is a mentor and a friend (even if he is what some might call "old school"), and I will forever be appreciative of his help.

What's the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner? Always work harder and smarter. Develop a strategy for making partner and decide what you want your practice to look like early on. Never take your eyes or efforts off those goals.

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