Julie Hanusa is Gould & Ratner’s Chief Talent Officer, a role focused on a range of professional development and leadership training initiatives, as well as mentoring and strategic planning. In collaboration with Gould & Ratner’s practice chairs and firm management, Julie creates and implements skills plans and educational programs tailored to the needs and goals of individual attorneys, practice groups and the firm as a whole.

Prior to joining Gould & Ratner in her current role, Julie served as a professional development consultant for the firm, conducting mentoring and coaching sessions for attorneys and providing practice chairs with action plans and goal assessment tools.

Before concentrating on professional development, Julie practiced law for 25 years, beginning her career as an associate at Latham & Watkins. Most recently, she was an equity principal at Much Shelist, where she focused her practice on commercial finance transactions and corporate matters. While at Much Shelist, she served as chair of the Commercial Finance group, and as vice chair, co-chair and ultimately chair of the firm's Business and Finance practice. In addition to her law firm experience, Julie also served as corporate counsel for Caremark International Inc. After leaving Much Shelist, Julie co-founded and managed West Town Pilates, including oversight of all aspects of business operations.

Julie earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her law degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.