Overview
Willkie’s Chicago office has an active legal practice focused on trials and appeals, major investigations, and board governance counseling, as well as a leading Private Clients practice. Fully integrated with the Firm’s 12 other offices, our Chicago team enhances the Firm’s service to Midwest and national clients through offering first-chair trial representation. Led by Craig C. Martin and comprising approximately 90 lawyers, the Chicago team is deeply engaged in a number of civic organizations and maintains an active pro bono practice.
The office’s trial and litigation practice is made up of experienced trial lawyers and “go-to” litigation and investigation counsel for numerous private and publicly-held clients on significant economic and reputational matters. Our lawyers have tried significant cases together, and we are accustomed to stepping into matters that have been handled by other firms up until the trial stage. We develop deep connections with our clients, work closely with them to develop the best strategies for achieving their business goals, and offer a wide range of subject-matter expertise, including antitrust, contract, employment, patent, trade secrets, ERISA, the False Claims Act, and malpractice.
Our experience spans trials in state and federal courts across the U.S., including several federal jury trials, and our team has also handled major arbitrations and argued numerous appeals. This trial focus and experience not only allows us to develop and implement the most effective courtroom strategies, it also helps us identify, assess and best position the key issues for potential pre-trial resolutions. Lawyers in our Chicago office are also well-known for leading board-driven investigations for major corporations as well as advising on governance issues.
The Private Clients practice provides a full range of legal services on a wide variety of matters, including tax, estate, business planning, succession planning, and charitable advisory services for high net-worth individuals and families, as well as the family offices, private trust companies, businesses, charitable organizations, and trusts that they establish or control.