September 22, 2025
Craig C. Martin, Chairman, Americas, and Jared F. Bartie, Chair of Willkie’s Sports Transactions Practice, have been named to “America’s Top Lawyers 2025” by Forbes.
Forbes recognized Craig and Jared among the nation’s elite practitioners who demonstrate “loyalty, capability and leadership in the law” and stand out as trusted counselors to their clients.
Craig regularly represents clients in their most important strategic, reputational and economic matters in virtually every substantive area of the law. Forbes noted that he is a “go-to” trial lawyer for major corporations in high-stakes litigations and arbitrations, including antitrust, securities, patent, and trade disputes. It also highlighted Craig’s role as lead counsel to the Special Committee Board of Directors of United Airlines during the high-profile “Chairman’s Flight” controversy, helping to guide the airline through government investigations and reputational recovery. Craig, a member of Willkie’s Executive Committee, successfully launched the firm’s Chicago office in 2020. He has quickly established it as a market leader, with a multidisciplinary team of approximately 110 lawyers.
Jared Bartie was recognized by Forbes for the second year in a row as one of the country’s top sports attorneys. Forbes highlighted his work advising clients on sports team investments, stadium and arena transactions, facility naming rights and sponsorship transactions, media rights agreements and investigations, among other matters. Jared regularly represents professional sports leagues and teams, college conferences, media entities, hospitality companies and family offices on complex transactions.
Forbes also highlighted Jared’s experience serving as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the United States Tennis Association, and Acting Chief Counsel of Productions at Black Entertainment Television.
Forbes selected the honorees of “America’s Top Lawyers” among thousands of candidates through nominations, direct outreach, recommendations and editorial review.
Read Forbes’ “America’s Top Lawyers 2025” here.
Forbes recognized Craig and Jared among the nation’s elite practitioners who demonstrate “loyalty, capability and leadership in the law” and stand out as trusted counselors to their clients.
Craig regularly represents clients in their most important strategic, reputational and economic matters in virtually every substantive area of the law. Forbes noted that he is a “go-to” trial lawyer for major corporations in high-stakes litigations and arbitrations, including antitrust, securities, patent, and trade disputes. It also highlighted Craig’s role as lead counsel to the Special Committee Board of Directors of United Airlines during the high-profile “Chairman’s Flight” controversy, helping to guide the airline through government investigations and reputational recovery. Craig, a member of Willkie’s Executive Committee, successfully launched the firm’s Chicago office in 2020. He has quickly established it as a market leader, with a multidisciplinary team of approximately 110 lawyers.
Jared Bartie was recognized by Forbes for the second year in a row as one of the country’s top sports attorneys. Forbes highlighted his work advising clients on sports team investments, stadium and arena transactions, facility naming rights and sponsorship transactions, media rights agreements and investigations, among other matters. Jared regularly represents professional sports leagues and teams, college conferences, media entities, hospitality companies and family offices on complex transactions.
Forbes also highlighted Jared’s experience serving as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the United States Tennis Association, and Acting Chief Counsel of Productions at Black Entertainment Television.
Forbes selected the honorees of “America’s Top Lawyers” among thousands of candidates through nominations, direct outreach, recommendations and editorial review.
Read Forbes’ “America’s Top Lawyers 2025” here.
