Danielle Tully, partner and co-chair of Cadwalader's Global Litigation & Intellectual Property Groups, was recently featured in Law.com's "How I Made Practice Group Chair" series. The Q&A highlights Danielle's path to leadership, her commitment to mentorship and her approach to fostering an innovative team environment.
Danielle's career began with a fascination for the ways science intersects with law, leading her to specialize in intellectual property and patent litigation. Early exposure to courtroom work and support from mentors helped her build confidence and practical expertise, making hands-on experience and collaboration fundamental to her growth as a lawyer. She developed her practice by tackling complex matters in patents, copyright and emerging areas like artificial intelligence and data privacy.
Her rise to practice group chair was an organic outgrowth of her mentorship and collaboration with colleagues. Danielle points to leadership as a platform for developing talent, advocating inclusivity and guiding the team toward shared strategic goals. She emphasizes teamwork over hierarchy, prioritizing open dialogue and collective success. As practice group leader, Danielle focuses on balancing business development and financial management with transparent communication and adaptability. She describes building a strong team and trusting in their strengths as key to managing both client and leadership responsibilities.
Diversity and talent development are central to Danielle's vision. She is active in Cadwalader's Sponsorship Program, working to provide opportunities for women and diverse attorneys and believes a collaborative, inclusive team delivers better results for clients. Succession planning is a core component of her role, ensuring junior lawyers gain experience, visibility and meaningful pathways toward advancement.
Danielle's advice for aspiring leaders: "Don't hesitate to step up and embrace the challenge...great leadership is about empowering your team and sharing responsibility." Her story offers valuable lessons for lawyers looking to advance and shape the next generation of legal talent. Read the full interview here.