November 18, 2025
Willkie partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s IP Litigation Practice Group Sara Tonnies Horton has been featured in a profile article published by Managing IP. The in-depth article focuses on Sara’s career path, her role in launching Willkie Chicago five years ago, and her view on the importance of mentoring.
Sara was one of six partners who helped launch Willkie Chicago in March 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She reflected on the challenges and opportunities of establishing the Chicago office, including expanding the firm’s intellectual property presence. “I saw joining Willkie as a tremendous professional opportunity to further build its IP practice nationally,” she said. “I was able to bring on several lawyers to join the amazing IP team that was already at Willkie when I arrived.”
One of Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP 2025,” Sara reflected on her path to becoming a successful IP litigator after majoring in Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. “I took a law school class in my senior year, and I really loved it. I ended up applying to law school, and the rest is history,” Sara explained. “I hoped, and it turned out to be true, that I could be a lawyer with technical skills –and use legal and technical training in my future career.” Sara, who Co-Chairs Willkie’s IP Litigation Practice Group alongside Krista Schwartz, also discussed her day-to-day responsibilities overseeing the group. “My role as Co-Chair requires both strategic vision and hands-on involvement, combining the demands of a senior litigator with those of a practice leader and mentor.”
Sara also discussed her belief that quality mentors are critical to success. She shared advice for junior attorneys: “Find people you respect and learn from them as much as you can,” she explained. “Mentors come in all shapes, sizes, and relationships, so always keep an open mind about mentorship.”
She went on to reflect on her hope for the future of the profession: “I take my role as a practice leader, mentor, and advocate very seriously, and I’d like to continue to see more women as mentors and advocates in the profession.”
Read the full profile here. (Subscription may be required)
Sara was one of six partners who helped launch Willkie Chicago in March 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She reflected on the challenges and opportunities of establishing the Chicago office, including expanding the firm’s intellectual property presence. “I saw joining Willkie as a tremendous professional opportunity to further build its IP practice nationally,” she said. “I was able to bring on several lawyers to join the amazing IP team that was already at Willkie when I arrived.”
One of Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP 2025,” Sara reflected on her path to becoming a successful IP litigator after majoring in Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. “I took a law school class in my senior year, and I really loved it. I ended up applying to law school, and the rest is history,” Sara explained. “I hoped, and it turned out to be true, that I could be a lawyer with technical skills –and use legal and technical training in my future career.” Sara, who Co-Chairs Willkie’s IP Litigation Practice Group alongside Krista Schwartz, also discussed her day-to-day responsibilities overseeing the group. “My role as Co-Chair requires both strategic vision and hands-on involvement, combining the demands of a senior litigator with those of a practice leader and mentor.”
Sara also discussed her belief that quality mentors are critical to success. She shared advice for junior attorneys: “Find people you respect and learn from them as much as you can,” she explained. “Mentors come in all shapes, sizes, and relationships, so always keep an open mind about mentorship.”
She went on to reflect on her hope for the future of the profession: “I take my role as a practice leader, mentor, and advocate very seriously, and I’d like to continue to see more women as mentors and advocates in the profession.”
Read the full profile here. (Subscription may be required)
