Chicago's Bright Lights Shine on BU Law Alumni Safeguarding ...

in-house because it was an opportunity
to work for a dynamic, interesting
multinational with lots of complex issues,”
Deborah says. Nigel’s practice at Sidley
allows him not only to protect the firm’s
Fortune 500 clients against claims of sexual
harassment and race discrimination, but
also to help clients institute proactive
policies and procedures that can reduce the
risk of litigation.
“Nigel and Deb are well known for their
integrity,” says Donald Prophete (’92),
a friend since their BU days, managing
partner of Ogletree Deakins’ Kansas City
office and former in-house counsel for
Sprint, where he hired Nigel to handle
several high-profile law suits. “Their
personalities,” he says admiringly, “simply
will not let them deviate from doing what
is right.”
The couple sees their respective jobs as
platforms not only for doing what is in the
best interests of their clients, but also for
making an impact on increasing diversity
in the legal profession, a theme that has
continued in their lives and work since
BU. Nigel currently sits on the board of
the Chicago Committee on Minorities in
Large Law Firms, an organization which
Deborah chaired a few years ago when
she was with Winston & Strawn. Nigel
mentors young lawyers of color both in
and outside of his firm.
For Deborah, diversity is a value that
runs throughout her international legal
work. “At Boeing, I ensure that we don’t
overlook the cultural norms while working
internationally. We always pay attention
to cultural sensitivities, so that we’re
considered a good company to have in any
country,” Deb also adds. “As an in-house
lawyer, I emphasize the need to bring
women and minorities to Boeing’s deals.
When we start a new project, my outside
counsel finds me a diverse team and
makes sure those attorneys of color have a
meaningful role in the transaction.”
Outside of work, Nigel was appointed by
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to serve
on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for
Planning’s Executive Committee, which
gives him a hand in land and transportation
planning for the greater Chicago region.
“The mayor chose Nigel because of his
reputation for creative thinking and his
“At Boeing, we always pay attention
to cultural sensitivities, so that we’re
considered a good company
to have in any country.”
desire to contribute to his community,”
says Rita Athas, the mayor’s deputy
chief of staff for external affairs. Deborah
was recently named one of Chicago’s
“40 Under 40” by a local publication,
which identifies young leaders making a
difference in Chicago business.
The Telman household is understandably
a busy one. Pillow talk sometimes revolves
around Deborah’s “insider perspective”
on how Nigel can better serve his clients’
needs, or Nigel’s suggestions on which
new young lawyer Boeing should consider
hiring. The two are also hands-on parents,
with Nigel occasionally spending lunch
breaks with his boys at their nearby school,
and Deborah joining them for cello
lessons.
Deborah’s good friend Adrienne Pitts
(’95), who is also one of Nigel’s partners
at Sidley, says fondly of the Telmans,
“They’re a power couple who will no
doubt have increasingly visible roles. For
Deb and Nigel, the sky’s the limit.”
Redesigning
BU Law Online
Featuring a more “peoplefocused”
design and incorporating
elements of the new branding
campaign, BU Law recently launched
its redesigned Web site.
Viewers familiar with the former
site will notice the color theme has
changed from purple to University
red and white, which mirrors the
School’s publications in design and
tone. Additionally, pages now feature
an audience-specific navigational
structure, which gives alumni, faculty,
current and prospective students
access to sections of the Web site
designed for them.
Utilizing photographs, quotes and feature
stories, the design has taken on a more
personal approach, including “Take
Note” features, updated weekly on the
law school’s home pages, which highlight
the newsworthy accomplishments of the
School, faculty and alumni. Features include
alumni achievements such as promotions
and publications, student victories and
accomplishments (for example, our Moot
Court team’s winning the Sutherland Cup)
and noteworthy school news.
Technological advances on the site
include a “multimedia” section, which
features audio and video footage from
past events; Flash elements, such as the
study abroad page’s interactive map; and
a “content management system” which
feeds the School’s daily news and events
to the site’s calendars.
The site’s most recent addition is a fiveminute
video featuring current students
on the “Admitted Students” page. In the
video, students describe why they chose
BU Law, highlighting the strength of the
School’s faculty, curriculum, community
and the Boston environment.
We invite you to explore your section of the
new Web site at www.bu.edu/law/alumni/.
6 | The Record | Fall 2007