Engineer-turned-lawyer recognized with MechSE alumni award

Associate attorney James Delacenserie (BSME 2017) is among this year’s recipients of a MechSE Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Currently working in the Technology & Intellectual Property (IP) Transactions Practice Group at the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Delacenserie advises clients on a plethora of technology and IP topics across industries such as software, manufacturing, media and entertainment, health care, consumer products, financial and business services, and real estate.

“My work allows me to learn about a wide variety of technologies across many different industries,” he said, noting that his practice encompasses data privacy and security-related aspects of corporate transactions, including stock and asset purchases and sales; carve-outs; joint ventures; refinancing; and restructuring.

As an undergraduate student at Illinois, Delacenserie was a member of Illini Motorsports FSAE, for which he contributed to engine design as well as simulation and calibration projects. His interest in automotives led him to work as a transmission calibration engineer at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) following graduation. During this time, he served as the lead shift quality calibration engineer for the 2.4-liter JEEP Cherokee product line.

He then pivoted significantly, earning his JD from Harvard Law School while serving as an article editor for the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology and a project director for the Harvard Law Entrepreneurship Project.

“Although I enjoyed the hands-on application of my engineering coursework to real-life products while working as a transmission calibration engineer, I felt that the career path as an engineer at an auto manufacturer was a bit too specialized for my interests,” Delacenserie recalled. “My favorite part about my engineering coursework was that we learned about so many different engineering topics and applications. I found that a career in law provided the opportunity to continue to work with and learn about a variety of technologies and industries, rather than focus on one in particular.”

Indeed, Delacenserie’s skillset serves his work on a daily basis. “I use several skills that I gained from my engineering background, such as critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, technical writing, and reviewing complex materials to understand new technologies quickly so I can best advise our clients.”

As he advances in his career, Delacenserie aims to keep expanding his technological repertoire, particularly with regard to artificial intelligence. “One of my goals is to continue to grow my practice and take on more complex and challenging types of transactions, all while continuing to be exposed to and learn about new technologies,” he said.

Delacenserie was recognized at the MechSE Awards Banquet on April 11.