Legal News
Andrew AbdulNour is an associate practicing in Butzel’s Ann Arbor office, focusing his practice in intellectual property law, specifically in the automotive compliance and regulatory and data privacy spaces.
In the automotive compliance and regulatory area, AbdulNour guides suppliers through issues involving Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) noncompliance, warranty and product quality disputes, and testing non-conformances, while also helping clients mitigate risk and incorporate proper regulations and industry standards.
In the data privacy space, he helps clients navigate everchanging data privacy laws while ensuring they remain compliant with U.S., E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Data Privacy Framework (DPF) requirements.
AbdulNour received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University. As an engineer, he focused his efforts on testing and product development and has held positions at Wayne State’s Optical Engine Lab, American Axle, Ford Motor Company, and Hanon Systems. He then went on to obtain his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2022.
During law school, AbdulNour interned as a law clerk at two Michigan firms specializing in intellectual property law and patent applications. Before joining Butzel, he worked as a patent attorney at an intellectual property law firm serving the automotive and other high technology industries.
The amount of variation I see in my job day to day is surprising. It fluctuates from dealing with large scale automotive clients, to smaller more intimate matters involving local businesses. There is of course the occasional fire to put out as well. Also, it’s nothing like “Suits” unfortunately, except for when they make the associates stay late at the office.
My whole family is made up of engineers who have gone on to either rise up or move on from engineering jobs. I knew that for myself, I wanted to pursue engineering, but I also couldn’t stay in the field forever. I wanted to combine my love of the automotive industry with my aptitude for problem solving and advocacy. Law seemed like the best of both worlds.
What’s your favorite law-related movie?
“The Verdict” starring Paul Newman, it’s not as flashy or romantic as other legal pop culture related material, and the ending is bittersweet. No spoilers. “My Cousin Vinny” is a very close second.
Who are your law role models – real and/or fictional?
Matt Murdock, Gomez Addams, and Vincent Gambini.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
Anyone currently on the ISS, I’ve always wanted to experience zero-gravity.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
Listen to everyone’s advice, it may all sound generic and samey but that’s because in the end, it’s true. Also, do the work yourself, the reading, writing, and outlining is what helps you learn, not having a clean copy of those things. Finally, flowcharts and process diagrams are excellent ways to organize information.
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Completing my first major assignment at Butzel. The sense of accomplishment after completing the work confirmed for me that I finally had a career which let me use all of my abilities to the fullest, while allowing me to grow.
What do you do to relax?
Enjoy a nice meal.
What other career path might you have chosen?
I was a mechanical engineer for several years. I think I might have stuck with that, and stayed in a hands-on-type test engineering role.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self?
It’ll all work out in the end, stay positive, and keep working hard. Don’t take Spanish 5, its too many credits.
Favorite app:
Google Keep, seamless to-do list integration all synced between your phone and the computer.
Favorite music:
Jazz music, particularly John Coltrane.
What is your happiest childhood memory?
The first time my dad and I went fishing.
What is your most treasured material possession?
My 1968 Ford Mustang.
What do you wish someone would invent?
Oreos that are as healthy as apples, but I’ll keep dreaming.
What has been your favorite year so far and why?
2022, so much changed for me in that year both personally and professionally.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
The top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, the view is unforgettable.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
“The Verdict” starring Paul Newman, it’s not as flashy or romantic as other legal pop culture related material, and the ending is bittersweet. No spoilers. “My Cousin Vinny” is a very close second.
Matt Murdock, Gomez Addams, and Vincent Gambini.
Anyone currently on the ISS, I’ve always wanted to experience zero-gravity.
Listen to everyone’s advice, it may all sound generic and samey but that’s because in the end, it’s true. Also, do the work yourself, the reading, writing, and outlining is what helps you learn, not having a clean copy of those things. Finally, flowcharts and process diagrams are excellent ways to organize information.
Completing my first major assignment at Butzel. The sense of accomplishment after completing the work confirmed for me that I finally had a career which let me use all of my abilities to the fullest, while allowing me to grow.
Enjoy a nice meal.
I was a mechanical engineer for several years. I think I might have stuck with that, and stayed in a hands-on-type test engineering role.
It’ll all work out in the end, stay positive, and keep working hard. Don’t take Spanish 5, its too many credits.
Google Keep, seamless to-do list integration all synced between your phone and the computer.
Jazz music, particularly John Coltrane.
The first time my dad and I went fishing.
My 1968 Ford Mustang.
Oreos that are as healthy as apples, but I’ll keep dreaming.
2022, so much changed for me in that year both personally and professionally.
The top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, the view is unforgettable.
Ability to control computers and technology.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
Play any sort of instrument, piano particularly.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I have a list for almost everything in life, places to go, food to eat, movies to watch.
If you could have dinner with three people, past or present, who would they be?
Robin Williams, Matthew McConaughey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail.” – Bruce Wayne, Batman (allegedly)
Favorite place to spend money:
What is your motto?
Which living person do you most admire?
Adam Savage, from MythBusters to his current work on tested he gives excellent advice, and really seems to love what he does all while being super knowledgeable on many subjects and making incredible works.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
What is the most unusual thing you have done?
I have a list for almost everything in life, places to go, food to eat, movies to watch.
Robin Williams, Matthew McConaughey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail.” – Bruce Wayne, Batman (allegedly)
Adam Savage, from MythBusters to his current work on tested he gives excellent advice, and really seems to love what he does all while being super knowledgeable on many subjects and making incredible works.
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