Andy Culicerto, Charlotte and Greenville Managing Partner & Management Committee Member, Shumaker

In an interview with Invest:, Andy Culicerto, Charlotte and Greenville managing partner and management committee member at Shumaker, shared insights on the firm’s 100th anniversary, community initiatives, regional legal trends, the role of technology, and strategic growth priorities.

What were some key milestones for the firm over the last year?

We’ve had a lot going on, we are focused on gearing up for 2025, which marks Shumaker’s 100th anniversary. It’s a significant milestone, and we’re working to highlight the quality of our services over the past century and the strong relationships we’ve built in the communities where we operate. This anniversary is a tribute to our staying power and the legacy we’ve created.

In line with this, we’ve continued our commitment to giving back. Last year, we launched the “Making a Difference for Literacy” initiative. Initially, the goal was to impact 100,000 lives, but due to the overwhelming response from both the community and our team, we raised the target to 250,000. The effort includes book drives, literacy events, and partnerships with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs and autism foundations. It’s deeply rewarding, and it highlights how literacy — a cornerstone of being a lawyer — can transform lives. This initiative has also been a testament to the dedication of our people. A management initiative only works if the team believes in it, and our team has truly embraced this cause.

What key trends are shaping legal practices in the Carolinas, particularly in litigation and complex commercial disputes?

The Carolinas are growing rapidly, and that growth is reshaping the legal landscape. Both North and South Carolina consistently rank as top destinations for businesses and new residents, and this influx is driving demand for diverse legal services. Whether it’s new companies entering the market, construction and development, or the increasing prominence of technology and intellectual property work, the region’s growth is mirrored in our practice areas.

For example, as Charlotte grows into a more sophisticated city on the world stage, the complexity of our legal work has increased. In construction law, for instance, clients are no longer only reaching out after disputes arise. They’re seeking proactive advice to avoid costly issues down the line, which fosters more collaborative relationships. It’s a shift toward being involved in the early planning stages, offering strategic counsel, and helping clients navigate potential challenges before they arise.

How is the firm navigating headwinds and helping clients address challenges?

Inflation and supply chain issues have been two of the biggest challenges in recent years. While these didn’t directly impact us as a law firm, they deeply affected our clients, and we had to adapt to advise them through these issues. Supply chain problems, in particular, were new territory for many industries, so it was a learning curve for everyone.

Inflation, on the other hand, has touched all aspects of business, including ours. Rising costs for vendors, services, and human capital have been significant. Recruiting talented lawyers has become increasingly competitive, and navigating this demand for human capital has required a strategic approach. It’s no longer as simple as posting a job listing and finding the right candidate. Attracting the best talent requires significant effort, and we’ve been focusing on maintaining our culture and offering opportunities that make Shumaker an attractive place to work.

What strategies are you implementing to recruit and retain top talent?

Recruiting and retaining talent is a full-time job. Our best resource is internal referrals. When someone within the firm refers a candidate, it’s based on their knowledge of that person’s character and fit for our culture. We encourage everyone at Shumaker to promote the firm to their networks. These referrals tend to yield the best results.

We also work with outside vendors like social media recruiters and headhunters to cast a wider net. While these channels help identify candidates, the real work begins with our internal vetting process to ensure a good fit both professionally and culturally.

How do technology and digital transformation influence your strategies and internal processes?

From a management perspective, leveraging technology is a constant discussion at Shumaker. Clients expect quality services at competitive prices, just like any other business. They value their lawyers but aim to pay the least possible for the best work. To meet these expectations, we continuously evaluate how to integrate technology into our practice, whether by updating software systems or exploring new tools like artificial intelligence. 

At Shumaker, we’ve established an AI Task Force to assess how AI can impact and enhance the legal field. We’re still in the learning phase — most of us aren’t engineers, but we’re actively figuring out AI’s role in the profession. It’s clear that AI will transform many legal tasks, and we aim to stay ahead of the curve rather than reacting to changes after they occur.

However, not every AI solution is ready. We’ve encountered products with great potential that aren’t yet at the level required to deliver the quality our clients expect. It’s crucial to avoid getting swept up in the hype, and instead, be selective and deliberate about adopting tools that truly work. By doing our due diligence and staying nimble, we can ensure that the technologies we use benefit both our firm and our clients in the long run.

How has the firm evolved, and how does it fit into the Carolinas’ economy?

Shumaker has grown significantly over the years, expanding to cover virtually all sectors of the economy. While the firm’s roots are in Midwestern manufacturing in Toledo, Ohio, Charlotte, and the Carolinas have become major hubs for industries like manufacturing. This regional synergy allows us to leverage our 100 years of expertise in areas we initially specialized in, such as manufacturing law, while adapting to the Carolinas’ evolving economy.

Charlotte, for example, isn’t just a banking town. It’s home to a range of large and diverse sectors that often go unrecognized. Shumaker takes pride in being a versatile law firm, capable of serving this dynamic and diverse economy. We’ve built a team with broad skills and talent to ensure we can address the needs of every industry in the region.

What is your outlook for the firm and the legal sector in the Carolinas over the next few years? What are your top priorities?

Growth is a priority for us, but it must be strategic. Much of our success comes from lateral hires — experienced attorneys who outgrow their current platforms and seek the larger platform we can provide. That’s our focus: smart growth, not just adding people for the sake of it.

Culture is a cornerstone of this strategy. We thoroughly vet candidates to ensure they’re not only skilled but also a good fit for our team. When you work with people you like and respect, it creates a better work environment and leads to higher-quality results for clients. A positive workplace culture translates into better client service and happier employees.

Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities for growth in intellectual property law, construction and development, banking, and healthcare. These are areas where the Carolinas continue to expand, and we’re positioning ourselves to meet the rising demand in these sectors.