March 3, 2026
Willkie partners Amanda Amert, Debra Bogo-Ernst and Sara Tonnies Horton have been named among the “2026 Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business. The annual series recognizes the leading women attorneys shaping business, government and civic life in Chicago.
Amanda Amert, Chair of Willkie’s ERISA Litigation Group, is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading practitioners in the area of ERISA litigation. Honoring her for the fourth time, Crain’s highlighted Amanda’s success obtaining summary judgment and defeating class certification in two ERISA class actions against a Fortune Global 500 financial services company. It also noted Amanda’s service as board vice chair of the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago as well as her commitment to pro bono advocacy and assisting underrepresented women.
Debra Bogo-Ernst, Chair of the National Class Action Litigation Practice, is a top class action litigator and first-chair trial lawyer. Crain’s honored her for the third time, highlighting her leadership role at Willkie and her success in high-stakes commercial and consumer litigation as well as regulatory and enforcement matters. The profile noted Debra’s pro bono service, including her work with The Lawfare Project to combat antisemitism, and her commitment to mentoring and advancing women at Willkie. In addition, Crain’s noted her service on the boards of Metropolitan Family Services and Chicago’s Civic Consulting Alliance, as well as her support for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Compass Chicago and Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Sara Tonnies Horton, Co-Chair of the IP Litigation Practice Group, was recognized for excellence in complex patent litigation and as a first-chair trial attorney. Crain's highlighted her success defeating a patent infringement case brought against Pfizer relating to the COVID-19 vaccine, ending more than three years of litigation. The profile noted Sara’s work supporting recruitment, training and management within Willkie’s Chicago office, which she helped launch in March 2020. In addition, Sara serves on the Children’s Research Fund’s Board of Directors, teaches trial advocacy at Harvard Law School, is a member of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court and is co-chair of the PTAB Bar Association amicus committee.
View Crain’s Chicago Business “2026 Notable Women in Law” here (subscription required).
Amanda Amert, Chair of Willkie’s ERISA Litigation Group, is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading practitioners in the area of ERISA litigation. Honoring her for the fourth time, Crain’s highlighted Amanda’s success obtaining summary judgment and defeating class certification in two ERISA class actions against a Fortune Global 500 financial services company. It also noted Amanda’s service as board vice chair of the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago as well as her commitment to pro bono advocacy and assisting underrepresented women.
Debra Bogo-Ernst, Chair of the National Class Action Litigation Practice, is a top class action litigator and first-chair trial lawyer. Crain’s honored her for the third time, highlighting her leadership role at Willkie and her success in high-stakes commercial and consumer litigation as well as regulatory and enforcement matters. The profile noted Debra’s pro bono service, including her work with The Lawfare Project to combat antisemitism, and her commitment to mentoring and advancing women at Willkie. In addition, Crain’s noted her service on the boards of Metropolitan Family Services and Chicago’s Civic Consulting Alliance, as well as her support for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Compass Chicago and Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Sara Tonnies Horton, Co-Chair of the IP Litigation Practice Group, was recognized for excellence in complex patent litigation and as a first-chair trial attorney. Crain's highlighted her success defeating a patent infringement case brought against Pfizer relating to the COVID-19 vaccine, ending more than three years of litigation. The profile noted Sara’s work supporting recruitment, training and management within Willkie’s Chicago office, which she helped launch in March 2020. In addition, Sara serves on the Children’s Research Fund’s Board of Directors, teaches trial advocacy at Harvard Law School, is a member of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court and is co-chair of the PTAB Bar Association amicus committee.
View Crain’s Chicago Business “2026 Notable Women in Law” here (subscription required).
