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Summary: JD Journal has compiled a list of the top Chicago litigation boutiques of 2017.
Note: These are BCG Attorney Search’s favorite litigation boutiques in Chicago.
Boutique law firms can give clients personalized attention and a specialty skill set; and nowadays, they also tend to offer better deals than BigLaw firms thanks to unique fee structures. To highlight some of the best law firms in Chicago, JD Journal has compiled a list of the best boutique litigation firms in the Windy City.
The following list is ranked by firm size.
1. Kobre & Kim
Kobre & Kim has offices around the world, and it is a unique firm because it focuses solely on disputes and investigations. According to their website, “Other lawyers regularly appoint us as special advocates for their clients in sensitive situations involving conflicts of interest. We do not ordinarily maintain repeat clients of our own.”
Kobre & Kim has 87 attorneys and focuses on litigation, arbitration or investigations as well as partnering with law firms as client advisors. They stated that because they do not have repeat clients, they are able to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain independence as advocates.
2. Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila
RSHC is a national firm with offices in Chicago, San Francisco and New York. The firm has 51 attorneys who have tried cases in 25 states and defended class action lawsuits in 30 states. Their clients range from individuals to Fortune 500 companies.
“Our clients value and trust us because we offer much more than legal counsel; we offer long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships. We understand and uphold their priorities, we serve as their partners and trusted advisors, and we align our services and our pricing with what matters most to them,” their website states.
3. Eimer Stahl
Eimer Stahl touts itself as a firm that is collegial, not formal. Founded in 2000, the 46 attorney firm handles antitrust cases, class actions, multidistrict environmental and product liability litigation, energy regulatory proceedings, securities litigation, and other high stakes commercial disputes.
“We get to know not just the facts relevant to a particular case, but practical aspects of each client’s business, the challenges they face, and the goals they’re targeting,” the firm’s website states. “We offer flexible and flat fee arrangements to control costs and share the risks of litigation.”
4. Williams Montgomery and John
For over 49 years, clients have turned to Williams Montgomery and John for business litigation. Their attorneys are experienced with arbitration, bench trials, and jury trials; and they handle areas such as intellectual property, bad faith, and white collar litigation. According to their website, “We take great pride in being “A Firm of Trial Lawyers.”” Some of their clients include 3M, Goodyear, Siemens, and IBM.
5. Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd
Founded in 1980, Butler Rubin has established itself as a top litigator in business disputes. The 35 attorney firm services domestic and international clients; and according to its website, they are “a boutique litigation firm where the needs of clients serve as the guiding force, where a smaller environment promotes demonstrated teamwork and true collaboration, and where lawyers feel confident in a welcoming culture that always looks for new and more efficient ways to partner with clients.”
6. MoloLamken
Founded by esteemed courtroom attorneys Steven Molo and Jeffrey Lamken, MoloLamken has 30 attorneys who exclusively represent clients in complex litigation. The firm handles civil and criminal cases across the country, but their client base expands around the globe.
“We provide experienced advocacy before judges, juries, and courts of appeal, including the Supreme Court of the United States. We also represent clients in regulatory and criminal investigations and conduct internal investigations,” the website states. “Our lawyers are courtroom advocates, not merely paper litigators. We possess years of collective experience acting for plaintiffs and defendants in high stakes disputes.”
7. Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan and Braum
Goldman Ismail has distinguished itself by being top trial litigators. The firm has 18 attorneys who have served in trial roles such as national trial counsel, leaders of expert witness team, and designers of global resolution programs. According to their website, they use a results-based compensation system that promotes efficiency and success. They charge clients a flat monthly fee and a contingent amount if the trial is successful.
“A fee arrangement that rewards efficiency and outcome, rather than hours worked, benefits both client and attorney, and it increases the likelihood of success,” the website states.
Miller Shakman & Beem has 16 attorneys, and the boutique litigation firm specializes in commercial and constitutional litigation.
“Our size and selectivity allow us to provide legal services of the highest caliber. Clients hiring us receive zealous representation and personalized attention from experienced attorneys on every case, every step of the way,” Miller Shakman’s website states.