Nilan Johnson Lewis Selects New President

Accomplished trial lawyer Amanda Cialkowski becomes law firm’s second female president

MINNEAPOLIS (January 30, 2023) – Nilan Johnson Lewis (NJL) is pleased to announce Amanda Cialkowski as the law firm’s next president. Cialkowski is the second female president at NJL, which became one of the country’s largest certified women-owned law firms last year. She succeeds Heidi Christianson, who remains an NJL Board member and shareholder.

Cialkowski joined NJL in 2000 and has emerged as one of the most prolific and accomplished corporate trial lawyers in the Twin Cities with a growing mediation practice as well. She was admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2022 and has secured defense verdicts in 4 of 5 trials and arbitrations since the COVID-19 pandemic. On Jan. 24, she received the prestigious Mary Massaron Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession from the Defense Research Institute (DRI).

“It’s an honor to lead an innovative law firm that takes a long-term view in how it treats its team members and national client partners,” said Cialkowski, who was empowered to work reduced hours a decade ago when her children were young despite research at the time showing most female lawyers lost career traction for momentary family pauses. “I’m excited to further the firm’s exceptional legal services by demonstrating to professionals the amazing impact felt when relationships are rich and thoughtful, knowledge is cultivated into results, and commitment is rewarded. I look forward to fostering continued innovation as we seek to become a first-choice place of employment for the next generation of talented legal services providers.

After receiving her B.A. in psychology from Carleton College, Cialkowski attended the University of Oregon Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude and received Order of the Coif. Before joining NJL she clerked for the Oregon Court of Appeals and served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Law.

“Amanda’s interpersonal and persuasive skills are extraordinary leadership qualities and her abilities to make sense of and take action on multifaceted organizational issues will serve Nilan Johnson Lewis and its clients incredibly well,” said NJL Past President Heidi Christianson. “The firm is in great hands.

About Nilan Johnson Lewis

Nilan Johnson Lewis is an innovative, independent, women-owned law firm that is a first choice for organizations across the country seeking deep expertise to solve their complex business challenges and disputes. Diversity is a core founding value of NJL. In 2022, the firm became certified as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a significant milestone in NJL’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and being a law firm that delivers exceptional results by celebrating and advancing the diversity of members and clients. The firm has deep expertise in five areas of law: corporate and transactional services, labor and employment, health care, business litigation and product liability/complex tort litigation. Learn more at nilanjohnson.com.