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Dentons US LLP

233 South Wacker Drive
Suite 5900
Chicago, IL 60606-6361
United States

P +1 312 876 8000

F +1 312 876 7934

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Dentons' Chicago office—the founding office of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, the predecessor to our US legacy firm, SNR Denton—is still one of Dentons US’s largest offices, with a client roster that includes Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries and sectors, including global financial institutions and insurers, media companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, health care providers, and retail and restaurant giants. The office’s multidisciplinary capability includes the Firm’s largest concentration of Litigation and Real Estate lawyers, as well as large complements of Corporate, Health Care and Intellectual Property and Technology lawyers.

Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice is known worldwide for its effective handling of complex commercial disputes, including breach of contract, business fraud and third-party professional claims; consumer class actions; insurance defense (both individual policyholder and class actions), including coverage, claims administration, and premium and fees-related claims; antitrust litigation and investigations; financial markets litigation and arbitration; media and advertising litigation; and patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret disputes.

Our Real Estate team has represented some of Illinois' largest real estate developers in connection with some of the nation’s most complex transactions, including playing a vital role in the US$650 million renovation of the 110-story Willis Tower, home to our Chicago office. Our multidisciplinary team offers owners, developers, investors and lenders a diverse spectrum of commercial real estate legal services in the areas of development and construction; finance; purchase, sale and leasing; and tax credit investing, among others.

Our Corporate team represents multinational corporations, including Fortune 100 companies, banks and other financial institutions, and privately held companies on matters both domestic and foreign. As the world’s largest law firm, with more than 20,000 people in over 80 countries, we understand the challenges global companies face and how to overcome them. Our Corporate team can help you strengthen your competiveness and market position and assess new business opportunities.

Our experienced Intellectual Property and Technology team offers the full gamut of IP services, from patent and trademark prosecution and protection to licensing and asset divestiture.

Health care clients benefit from our team’s deep knowledge and experience of the sector. For example, in response to client’s needs, the Health Care team expanded its services to include what has become the nation’s leading Cannabis practice. The Cannabis team works with established, industry-leading clients and are involved in some of the industry’s largest deals and have been instrumental in crafting several cannabis laws.

Bottom line: No matter what business you are in, the lawyers and professionals in our office will do the utmost to ensure that you continue to lead in your industry, or have a strong plan in place to grow your business.

In and of the community

The Chicago office has a long and celebrated history of commitment to philanthropy, inclusiveness and community service. The Firm has founded and supports many community initiatives, such as Legacy Charter School, a public charter school in Chicago; and KEEN, a national program offering recreational opportunities for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities. Additionally, in coordination with local in-house counsel and the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, we established a domestic violence appellate project and handle numerous pro bono matters on behalf of victims of domestic violence.

The pro bono and community efforts of the Chicago office and the Firm have been covered in numerous media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Fox News. Some examples include:

Fighting for disabled prisoners’ right to treatment: Dentons’ Chicago team prosecuted two class actions on behalf of people with disabilities against the Illinois Department of Corrections: Lippert v. Baldwin, which alleges that the state has failed to provide constitutionally adequate care to inmates with physical disabilities, the outcome of which is pending; and Rasho v. Walker, an 11-year battle to establish the constitutional right of more than 12,000 mentally ill prisoners to receive proper and humane care, which ended in an order from a federal district court judge giving the state Department of Corrections 90 days to increase its mental health professional staffing levels. The 18-page order finalized provisions for a permanent injunction contained in a prior decision (which we also obtained) in which the judge held that failure to provide adequate treatment for mentally ill prisoners constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, which is prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
Vaccine education: Chicago lawyers helped produce two public service announcements about COVID-19 vaccination. One of the PSAs, produced with Film Policy and Sinai Chicago hospital, features local community leaders and health care workers encouraging everyone to “Get the Shot”. Available in both English and Spanish for use anywhere in the world, it was designed to educate communities hardest hit by the virus, including people in prison. The other PSA, produced with the Number Project, is specifically aimed at helping incarcerated individuals learn more about how and why to receive the vaccine. This project continues our extensive pro bono efforts alongside the ACLU of Illinois and Uptown People’s Law Center to protect the rights and welfare of incarcerated people in Illinois.
Protecting prisoners against the coronavirus: Members of our team persuaded Governor JB Pritzker to close Illinois’ prisons to new entrants in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the system. As a result of our efforts, by order of the Governor, the Department of Corrections ceased taking in new prisoners, with very limited exceptions, likely saving countless lives, as prison populations are at high risk for catching and transmitting pathogens due to their overcrowded living conditions and the prevalence of comorbidities.
Securing clemency for a minor drug offender: Chicago lawyers helped obtain executive clemency for a sanitation manager at a hospital and father of five who was convicted of selling a small amount of drugs in 1987. Though the transaction occurred on his own front porch, the client was sentenced to three years in prison because his home was in a “school zone.” This representation is part of Dentons’ pro bono clemency project with our longtime insurance client.
Challenging the imprisonment of indigents for nonpayment of fines: Members of our office won a key ruling in the US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in an action challenging “debtor’s prison” practices employed by the city of Montgomery, AL, and its for-profit agent, Judicial Correction Services. At issue in this case was the widespread practice in Alabama, and elsewhere, of targeting underprivileged people for minor traffic offenses; assessing fines, including the automatic fines levied against those who exercise their rights to challenge the tickets; and then imprisoning those who are unable to pay. The victims of this practice are disproportionately Black. Noting that "JCS . . . extracted as much cash as they could from probationers—some of whom they knew to be disabled, unemployed or dependent on government benefits—and then tossed them back to the Municipal Court,” the court ruled that significant portions of the lawsuits can proceed to trial on claims for damages for violations of federal constitutional due process, equal protection rights and state tort law prohibiting false imprisonment and abuse of process. The ruling also allows the plaintiffs to proceed with motions for class action certification. In a scathing decision, the court found that
Forestalling a foreclosure: Our team assisted with the proceedings of avoiding the foreclosure of a home after its owner died without a will by facilitating its sale, navigating an heirship dispute so the sale proceeds could be distributed pursuant to state law and avoiding probate costs by securing the title company’s agreement to accept a “bond in lieu of probate.”
Human rights: For the National Immigrant Justice Center, members of the Chicago office have defended the lives and rights of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, including children and families. The team also actively advocates for a more humane US immigration system.
Supporting anti-racism work and ongoing anti-racism education: Our team plays an active role participating in national organizations in the Chicago area. Dentons joins the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), a coalition of over 125 law firms and other organizations united to identify and dismantle systemic racism. Dentons commits to leverage its reach, resources and talent to assertively and intentionally undertake the work of antiracism.
Innovative pro bono solution: Spearheaded by Dentons Chicago Pro Bono partner Ben Weinberg, we assisted in the development of Paladin, a cutting-edge software-as-a-service platform that connects our lawyers with a greater variety of pro bono opportunities and legal service organizations, making it easier for our lawyers to find the projects they are most passionate about and to track the outcomes of this impactful work. Dentons was the first law firm to adopt Paladin, which now has been adopted by myriad firms and in-house departments.
Legacy Charter School: Believing that a high-quality education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering people to lead fulfilling lives, the Firm founded Legacy Charter School in 2005. Legacy is a public charter school educating 500 scholars from pre-kindergarten through grade eight in North Lawndale, an inner-city Chicago neighborhood. Our lawyers, professionals and staff have volunteered as tutors, taught via the Lawyers in the Classroom program, mentored via the Spark program, conducted mock high school interviews, painted classrooms, contributed to the annual holiday gifts fundraiser, shared hobbies (such as chess, quilting and guitar) and acted as judges at events such as Science Exploration Day.

Highlights

Our experienced Chicago lawyers and professionals have been recognized by leading legal organizations, directories and publications. Our team’s notable awards include:

Chambers USA - Ranked as Band 1 in Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Ranked as Band 1 in Media & Entertainment Litigation, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Ranked as Band 2 in Real Estate, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Ranked as Band 2 in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets, 2021
Chambers USA - Eric Berlin ranked in Band 1 for USA-Nationwide Cannabis Law: Corporate/Transactional, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Samuel Fifer ranked in Band 1 for Media & Entertainment Litigation, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Patrick Moran ranked in Band 1 for Real Estate, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Natalie Spears ranked in Band 1 for Media & Entertainment Litigation, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Carol Anne Been ranked in Band 2 for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets, 2021
Chambers USA - Ross Docksey ranked as a Senior Statespeople for Technology & Outsourcing, 2021 and Band 2, 2020
Chambers USA - Jeffrey Fort ranked in Band 2 for Environment: Mainly Transactional, 2021 and Band 1, 2020
Chambers USA - Keith Moskowitz ranked in Band 2 for Insurance: Dispute Resolution, 2021
Chambers USA - Mary Wilson ranked in Band 2 for Healthcare, 2021 and 2020
Chambers USA - Donna Vobornik ranked in Band 2 for Insurance: Dispute Resolution, 2021 and 2020
Best Lawyers in America - Chicago lawyers ranked in recent editions:
- Lawyer of the Year - Natalie Spears recognized for Litigation - First Amendment, 2021 and as a “Best Lawyer” for Litigation - First Amendment, 2022 and 2021
- Kathryn Ashton - Health Care Law, Public Finance Law, 2022 and 2021
- Carol Anne Been - Patent Law, Trademark Law, 2022 and 2021
- Steven Davidson - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Ross Docksey - Technology Law, 2022 and 2021
- Samuel Fifer - Litigation - First Amendment, Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2022 and 2021
- Jeffrey Fort - Environmental Law, 2022 and 2021
- Michael Froy - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2022 and 2021
- Robert Guenthner - Health Care Law, 2022 and 2021
- Rosemary Gullikson - Technology Law, 2022 and 2021
- Linda Harris - Corporate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Mark Mehlman - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Patrick Moran - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Keith Moskowitz - Litigation - Insurance, 2022 and 2021
- Robert Richards - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2022 and 2021
- Gerald Sherman - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Alan Silberman - Antitrust Law, Franchise Law, 2021
- Todd Stennes - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Donna Vobornik - Insurance Law, 2022 and 2021
- Mary Wilson - Health Care Law, Public Finance Law, 2022 and 2021
Ones to Watch - Named to recent lists:
- Natnael Moges - Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Courtney Posnik - Health Care Law, 2022 and 2021
- Erin Stach - Real Estate Law
U.S. News - Best Lawyers - Regularly included in the “Best Law Firms” list, with Tier 1 or 2 rankings in multiple practice areas:
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2022 and 2021
- Corporate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Franchise Law, 2022 and 2021
- Health Care Law, 2022 and 2021
- Insurance Law, 2022 and 2021
- Litigation - First Amendment, 2022 and 2021
- Litigation - Real Estate, 2022 and 2021
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2022 and 2021
- Public Finance Law, 2022 and 2021
- Real Estate Law, 2022 and 2021
- Technology Law, 2022 and 2021
- Antitrust Law, 2022 and 2021
- Environmental Law, 2022 and 2021
- Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2022 and 2021
- Patent Law, 2022 and 2021
- Trademark Law, 2022 and 2021
World Trademark Review - WTR 1000 - Recognized as Illinois leading trademark professionals
- Carol Anne Been, 2022, 2021 and 2020
- Samuel Fifer, 2022 and 2021
Be a Light for Justice Award - Pro bono partner Ben Weinberg was recognized by the Greater Chicago Legal for the firm’s pro bono efforts throughout the US, 2021
Financial Times - Jeff Fort shortlisted for Most Innovative Legal Practitioner, 2021
Law360 - Keith Moskowitz selected to the 2021 MVP of the Year list for Insurance Law
Managing IP - Natalie Spears recognized as a “trademark star” in the magazine’s 2021 and 2020, IP Star rankings
Law360 - Eric Berlin selected to the 2020 MVPs list for Cannabis
Law360 - Joanne Caceres named to the Rising Stars list, 2020

Chicago office women leadership accolades:

Crain’s Chicago Business’- Mary Ann Hynes selected as one of the 2021 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine - Leah Bruno selected to the "Top 50 Women in Law” list, 2021
Dentons Lubin Visionary Award - Leah Bruno recognized for embodying the spirit of dedication to the Firm and culture, 2020
Crain’s Chicago Business - Kathryn Ashton, Leah Bruno, Natalie Spears and Mary Wilson selected to the Notable Women in Law series, 2020
Chicago Business Journal - Mary Wilson selected as one of ten honoree’s in the 2020 Women of Influence program
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer - Mary Wilson named to the Women in Law award list, 2020
Corporate Counsel - Mary Wilson selected as “Managing Partner of the Year” as part of Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards, 2020

Recognition

Crain’s Chicago Business names Natalie Spears and Sulema Medrano to “Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys” List

April 23, 2025

Litigation and Dispute Resolution partners Natalie Spears and Sulema Medrano were selected for inclusion in Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2025 list of “Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys.” This recognition is for senior leaders with 10 years of experience who demonstrate involvement in significant litigation and trial proceedings.

Six Dentons partners named to Law360’s editorial advisory boards

March 21, 2025

Law360 has named six Dentons lawyers to its 2025 editorial advisory boards

Dentons recognized among “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in 2025 rankings

November 7, 2024

Dentons’ US Region has been honored with 410 rankings in the latest U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” survey, highlighting the Firm’s dedication to legal excellence and exceptional client service.

View all recognition for Chicago

Insights

CLE Seminar for In-House Counsel Webinar Series

June 24, 2020

Los Angeles Partner Bety Javidzad was joined by join Chicago Senior Managing Associate Shannon Shin and Michelle Jackson, Senior Counsel, Regulatory at Abbott Laboratories, to discuss Addressing Racial Gender Bias In the Legal Profession.

Vereins and Virtues: Serving Clients In Local Communities and Around the World

March 4, 2020

Referring to a law firm, accounting firm, or other organization as a “verein” doesn’t tell you much by itself. It’s like characterizing an organization as “tax exempt.” While that describes a particular organizational structure, the definition ignores every other aspect of the organization’s mission, purpose, and culture.