Nicole Bashor has been an attorney for seven years and with her current firm for the past three years—and is award-winning.
She was named an Illinois Super Lawyer Rising Star in intellectual property, receiving the 40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 award this year.
"I love my job and the challenges that come with it," she said. "I help companies protect their brands, research and development efforts through intellectual property [patents, trademarks and copyrights]," she said. "I work with national and international companies in many industries, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, fashion, medical devices, and consumer products."
The best part of her job is just the diversity. "Working with such a wide variety of clients and solving the interesting problems that they face," she said. "I love being able to provide legal advice to my clients that is tailored specifically with their business objectives in mind."
The worst part is the time. "Like most of us, I wish that there were more [hours] in the day," she said. "I work with so many interesting clients and I want to help them all personally. Unfortunately, I find my time more limited than I would like and can't always solve a problem myself."
Bashor said she is "grateful" to have been honored with the award, "but I also realize that change does not happen as the result of just one person—I'm surrounded by fantastic, driven, and passionate individuals who inspire me to volunteer and try to make a difference through various organizations, [such as] Equality Illinois and the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago ( LAGBAC ).
"It is humbling [knowing] that only 40 LGBT individuals receive the award nationally each year. I appreciate the public recognition, but I'm more proud of the fact that we have gay marriage in Illinois, stronger protections against bullying in school, and numerous other statewide and national initiatives thanks to a coalition of amazing people that extends far beyond myself."
Bashor has served in numerous capacities on the LAGBAC board, including chair of the mentoring committee, chair of the community outreach committee, chair of the women's committee, and most recently, vice president. "The female membership of LAGBAC has grown significantly in the past few years now that we have [several] female-friendly events annually that are organized by the women's committee," she said. "Additionally, after numerous years of obstacles, the community outreach committee is working with the Center on Halsted to offer legal seminars specifically designed for our community. I'm proud of the work that these committees have accomplished over the past few years while I've been the chair."
THE STATS
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; has lived in Chicago for 13 years
Neighborhood: South Loop
Relationship Status: "I have a girlfriend."
Hobbies: "Traveling, attending concerts and music generally, cycling, and eating/drinking."
Job title: Intellectual-property attorney at Quarles & Brady
Favorite sports teams: Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins
Favorite pizza topping: Giardiniera
Favorite TV shows: Top Chef, Shark Tank and The Good Wife
Preferred drink at a bar: Craft beer
Little-known fact: "I've been to 48 states and most of Canada; I still haven't made it to North Dakota or Alaska."
