No matter the size of your business or whether it’s part of the Fortune 500, a commercial lawyer can be invaluable throughout every stage. They specialize in corporate formation and disputes as well as other legal matters.
Commercial lawyers in Chicago possess an expert level of understanding in business law and offer a range of services. They can advise you on matters such as liability, contracts, stock purchase agreements, mergers, and acquisitions, as well as corporate dissolution.
Chapman & Cutler
Established in 1913, Chicago-based Chapman & Cutler is a law firm dedicated to financing. Its attorneys assist some of the world’s most sophisticated financial companies and institutional investors with transactional, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters.
Industry-leading practices of its Practice Innovations group include asset securitization and structured finance, commercial lending, public finance, lease finance, registered investment companies, private institutional placements, and bankruptcy & restructuring. Furthermore, its Legal Services Innovation group is at the forefront of legal services technology innovation by designing and implementing practical, cost-effective legal process and technology solutions for legal departments and business teams.
Its services also include ESG counsel and sustainable finance, health, education, not-for-profit financing, utility financing, taxation, trust counseling and estate planning, mergers and acquisitions. Furthermore, its team of lawyers specializes in international and cross-border financing transactions.
Goldberg Kohn
Established in 1976, Goldberg Kohn is one of Chicago’s premier mid-sized law firms. They specialize in banking and finance, bankruptcy and financial services, real estate development, class action defense, and labor and employment litigation work.
The firm competes head-to-head with some of the nation’s premier law firms. It is renowned for its depth of practice, practical judgment, and sound business sense.
The firm is a premier national leader in commercial finance, representing banks and other lending institutions. It has an impressive record in secured and unsecured transactions and cross-border financings involving foreign currencies.
Schiff Hardin
Schiff Hardin, established in 1866, provides legal services to clients throughout the U.S. and beyond. Their client-centric approach enables them to offer various legal solutions, including corporate, finance, litigation, and government relations work.
The Chicago-based firm is a significant force in corporate deals and has attorneys throughout America. Its lawyers are renowned for being strong advocates and trusted advisors to their clients.
In 2021, Schiff Hardin merged with Arent Fox, a Washington, DC-based law firm about twice its size. This created ArentFox Schiff, now boasting 600 lawyers and lobbyists and $500 million in annual revenue.
Sidley
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, one of the world’s largest law firms, is headquartered in Chicago with offices around the US and Asia. Their expertise includes international capital markets, finance, banking, and corporate transactions.
Sidley is renowned for its international corporate practices, particularly in mergers and acquisitions and regulatory law. Additionally, the firm has an impressive litigation practice.
Additionally, it provides a comprehensive suite of services in the energy sector and environmental law. Its clients include major oil and gas companies, renewable energy developers, and technology and manufacturing firms.
The firm has a distinguished history of representing Fortune 500 clients in complex business disputes. Additionally, it is an advocate for diversity and pro bono work.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
In a world where giant, old law firms seem to be the norm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP stands out with its youthful energy and focus on litigation. With more than 900 attorneys practicing exclusively business and commercial litigation across 31 global offices worldwide, this firm stands out from its competition.
Though still young, the firm has quickly earned a reputation as an elite litigation practice. It ranks in Chambers and Partners Band 1 for General Commercial Litigation and Band 2 for Intellectual Property and White Collar Crime cases.
The firm has earned a reputation for winning significant cases on contingency. Its trial record is imposing, with 86 percent of its cases settled and seven nine-figure jury verdicts.
