Q&A with Stephen Mahieu, Deputy General Counsel, The Kraft Heinz Company

What is your role, and what does a typical day look like?

I’m Deputy General Counsel—Litigation & Intellectual Property at The Kraft Heinz Company in Chicago. I lead a team of lawyers and paralegals who are responsible for managing the Company’s litigation and protecting its patents, trademarks, and other IP. I also head our legal operations team, which manages the Department’s budget, technology, and professional development. A typical day for me involves a mix of advising business and functional teams, collaborating with Legal colleagues, meeting with outside counsel, reviewing court filings and other submissions, discussing our IP protection efforts, and addressing a variety of other issues that pop up.

 

Have you had any work recently that you have found to be particularly rewarding?

We recently prevailed in an arbitration that we brought several years ago in a substantial dispute involving IP and contract claims. We assembled a great group of witnesses, both current and former employees, who worked hard and offered compelling testimony. It was a very long haul that required our business team and executive management to keep the faith, and ultimately the award was very favorable.

 

What is the best career advice you have received?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received during my career came from a former Dykema partner when I was a first or second-year associate at the firm. He told me that the young lawyers who stand out are those who break free of a task master mentality, simply looking to cross things off a to-do list. He said I should be focusing on the big picture—taking ownership of my matters and showing leadership. I took that advice to heart, and now remind my own team of the importance of understanding from the outset what a good outcome will look like, why we care, and how we’re going to get there as efficiently as possible.

 

When it comes to relationship building, what do you find to be most important?

Authenticity is key. It’s easy to tell when someone doesn’t have a genuine interest in the Company or conversation. Earning trust is just as important—we don’t engage outside counsel or consultants who don’t make us feel confident about the work they will perform.

 

In what ways do you stay connected as a Dykema alum? And, why do you choose to continue staying connected?

I keep in touch with quite a few current and former Dykema folks. We get together in person a couple of times a year, and otherwise connect by email, text, or phone. I stay in touch because I enjoy spending time with them and care about their well-being.