Case diversity keeps practice interesting for MacArdy

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One of the things Amy MacArdy enjoys most about her work is that no two cases are the same.

A shareholder in Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren’s litigation department in Milwaukee, MacArdy spends about half her time on cases involving product liability. Although the rules are the same for each case, the content differs greatly.

“I get to become an expert in all sorts of different things. I get to focus in on diesel engines, mining equipment and more,” she said. “I read, I talk to experts and engineers and become immersed in the industry. Every case I work on is interesting in its own way.”

In her work concerning product liability, MacArdy will often find herself defending heavy-equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and aircraft manufacturers. Becoming an expert in different types of technology and equipment is satisfying, MacArdy said.

“None of my work repeats itself, even if it is work from the same company there is something unique about the case,” she said.

Besides providing defense counsel in product-liability cases, MacArdy also works on intellectual-property, complex commercial-litigation and appellate cases. Throughout it all, she works to take something complicated and make it easier for judges and juries to understand.

“Lawyers need to find a way to communicate the complex information about products and processes and lay people,” MacArdy said.

Since many of her cases involve heavy machinery, MacArdy is often the only woman in the room.

“Most engineers are men, the people from the company are men, the other attorneys are men,” she said. “I think others may sometimes underestimate me, but I enjoy surprising them.”

Although MacArdy grew up wanting to be an attorney, she did not really consider becoming a litigator until she was named a clerk for Judge Patience D. Roggensack, who is currently chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She learned about the clerkship right before starting as a summer associate at Reinhart.

“They decided litigation would be a good area for me to work in. I found the clerkship to be so helpful and recommend that all law students, especially those thinking about going into litigation, do one since you learn so much,” MacArdy said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What makes your work important to you?

Amy MacArdy: I love that this career has given me the tools to help people navigate problems that may be too overwhelming without a lawyer’s assistance. I call myself a litigator, but in addition to commercial disputes, I’ve been able to assist clients with everything from obtaining a domestic violence injunction to organizing an LLC.

WLJ: Who is your hero in the legal field?

MacArdy: Chief Justice Roggensack. I was fortunate to clerk for her immediately after graduating from law school. She has been a wonderful mentor and friend to me ever since. She has tremendous poise and perspective that I admire so much. Clerkships really are one of the most interesting and satisfying jobs out there.

WLJ: What do you do outside of work to deal with stress from the office?

MacArdy: I rely heavily on exercise to cope with work stress. I have been going to spin classes for several years and I’m also a fairly avid runner. Also, Netflix.

WLJ: What’s one thing many people get wrong about what you do?

MacArdy: This is so broad, but I would say my entire job (as a young partner), given that I’m often mistaken for an intern, paralegal or very young associate. I’m working on more wrinkles to help remedy this; my two toddlers are helping.

WLJ: What’s your favorite memory from law school?

MacArdy: Getting a respectable grade in Property after convincing myself for weeks (ask my mother) that I failed the exam because I re-wrote the answer to the first question six or seven times and nearly ran out of time to finish. That was a nightmare and thankfully not something I repeated again. Part of me still wonders if my grade was a mistake.

WLJ: Is there a certain case that stands out to you?

MacArdy: I would rank appellate work very highly. This work doesn’t come around very often, so I get excited for the challenge and I love that I can draw from my clerkship experience.