Danielle Wildern Juhle

Principal, Goldberg Kohn Ltd.

40 Under 40 Category: Legal Services

Biography:

Danielle Juhle is a principal in Goldberg Kohn’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Group.  Danielle primarily represents lenders in the protection and enforcement of creditors’ rights in commercial workouts and bankruptcies, including restructurings, reorganizations, sales, liquidations, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors and debt for equity transactions. Her bankruptcy experience includes the representation of creditors and purchasers in connection with the negotiation and documentation of debtor-in-possession financing orders, cash collateral orders and sale orders. Danielle also has experience representing banks and other commercial lenders in documenting, negotiating and performing due diligence for asset-based and cash flow loans, and she has worked on a wide range of credit facilities, including the negotiation of intercreditor agreements. 

Danielle is admitted to practice in Illinois and Michigan.  She received her law degree, magna cum laude, from Northwestern University in 2007 where she was a member of the Order of the Coif, and her B.B.A, with high distinction, from the University of Michigan in 2002.

When interviewing junior talent, what do you say to pique their interest on why they should accept a position in this industry?

As a law student, I was drawn to aspects of both a litigation practice and a transactional practice.  Through my summer associate experience at Goldberg Kohn, I fortuitously happened upon the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Group, which (for me) was the perfect balance of those practice areas – providing opportunities for both in-court and out-of-court experiences.  The variety of work and the prospect of learning new things on every deal is what drew me to the industry and is also what keeps me interested, engaged and excited about continuing my career in restructuring and commercial finance.  When interviewing junior talent, I understand that it is difficult for a law student or new lawyer to really understand what we do day in and day out, so, to pique their interest, I like to emphasize the fact that my job is challenging, collaborative, creative, fast-paced, dynamic, and one where, as lawyers, we have the opportunity to work side-by-side with our clients to solve difficult problems and develop strategies to maximize the value of potential outcomes.          

What is the best professional advice you have been given and how have you implemented it?

Although it might sound simple, one of the best pieces of professional advice that I received was to find a place that you like to work and people you like to work with.  When you have found that place and those people, you have found an environment where you are most likely to succeed.  We spend far too much of our lives working to not enjoy where we work.  At Goldberg Kohn, I found a collaborative environment and a close-knit practice group where young associates were encouraged to ask questions and fully participate in discussions about legal or other issues.  It turned out to be not only a fun environment to work in, but also a great learning environment.

Another important piece of advice I received was to never be afraid to ask questions.  Asking questions not only communicates to those you are working with (or for) that you are interested and focused on the issue at hand, but it is also the best way to learn and understand how, particularly at a junior level, the task that you are working on fits into the bigger picture.  That understanding enables one to grow professionally and take on more responsibility quickly.

How would you define what a good leader is, and what can you do to reflect those characteristics as you progress in your career?

I think that a good leader, in large part, leads by example.  A leader demonstrates through his or her actions, on a day-to-day basis, effective and thoughtful ways to interact with and earn the trust of clients, to collaborate with colleagues and opposing counsel, and to mentor and teach younger professionals.  A leader gives opportunities to younger professionals and pushes them to assume responsibility for matters, but is always there for support or to answer questions and explain a situation.  As a person who will forever be thankful for, and indebted to, those ahead of me who took the time to answer my many questions, I try to likewise “pay it forward” as I progress in my career by making myself available for questions or as a sounding board for younger attorneys.