- Understanding Illinois's legal landscape
- Top 10 firms in Illinois
- What to consider when choosing a firm in Illinois
Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including legal services expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.
Illinois businesses spend over $14.5 billion annually on legal services across the state's 1.3 million businesses. With Chicago serving as the nation's third-largest legal hub, understanding which firms deliver measurable value requires analyzing real transaction data, industry specializations, and client outcomes. This data-driven approach helps businesses identify firms that match their specific needs, budget constraints, and industry requirements.
Understanding Illinois's legal landscape
Illinois's legal market, anchored by Chicago, generates substantial economic activity with 96,821 active attorneys serving a state economy valued at $895.3 billion GDP. Key industries driving legal demand include healthcare, intellectual property, and data security—sectors experiencing accelerated growth due to post-pandemic regulatory complexities. Chicago's status as a Fortune 500 epicenter with 16 major corporations creates specialized corporate law needs, while the state's $2 billion cannabis industry generates unique regulatory compliance work. Additionally, Illinois's high corporate tax rate (9.5%) and economic volatility have increased demand for bankruptcy and labor law services.
Top 10 firms in Illinois
Based on comprehensive analysis of legal spending patterns and client outcomes, these firms demonstrate consistent excellence across specialized practice areas. The top three firms—Amin Talati, Hinshaw & Culbertson, and Esbrook—represent diverse specializations from FDA regulatory compliance to insurance defense and venture capital transactions, reflecting Illinois's multifaceted economy.
Amin Talati
Key practice areas
- FDA regulatory compliance
- Intellectual property
- Food, beverage, and supplement litigation
- FTC advertising and labeling compliance
- Product liability defense
Best for
Companies in the food, beverage, dietary supplement, and cosmetics industries requiring specialized FDA regulatory expertise. Ideal for startups launching new products or established brands like Nestlé and PepsiCo navigating complex labeling laws, GRAS affirmations, and FTC compliance challenges.
Notable facts
Founded in 2009 with 20 attorneys across Chicago, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles offices. Secured precedent-setting victories in multiple GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) affirmation cases and received U.S. News Best Law Firm ranking for five consecutive years. Their cross-disciplinary approach integrates scientific expertise with legal strategy for high-stakes product liability disputes.
Hinshaw & Culbertson
Key practice areas
- Professional liability defense
- Insurance coverage and litigation
- Healthcare law and compliance
- Corporate compliance
- Labor and employment law
Best for
Insurance companies, healthcare organizations, and financial services firms requiring sophisticated defense counsel. Particularly valuable for institutions facing professional liability claims, medical malpractice suits, or complex regulatory compliance issues. Their representation of 60% of the U.S. insurance market demonstrates deep industry expertise.
Notable facts
Established in 1934 with over 400 attorneys across 20 global offices, including Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield. Handled landmark cases including defense of medical institutions during the opioid crisis. Recognized by Chambers USA for insurance and healthcare law, the firm pioneered a national diversity initiative that increased female partnership by 40% since 2018.
Esbrook
Key practice areas
- Business litigation
- Venture capital financing
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Commercial contract disputes
- Supply chain digitization law
Best for
Mid-market technology companies and manufacturing firms needing transactional support or commercial litigation expertise. Particularly suited for SaaS startups seeking venture funding, industrial suppliers navigating IP licensing, and companies involved in supply chain modernization initiatives.
Notable facts
Founded in 2012 with 15 attorneys operating exclusively from Chicago. Achieved a 95% success rate in contract dispute resolutions and was named a Leading Emerging Firm by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in 2023. Their niche expertise in supply chain digitization has attracted clients from the automotive and logistics sectors.
Founders Law
Key practice areas
- Patent prosecution
- Trademark disputes
- Startup formation and funding
- Seed funding negotiations
- Technology licensing
Best for
Tech entrepreneurs, venture capital firms, and startups requiring comprehensive IP protection and funding expertise. Ideal for companies seeking patent portfolio development, navigating trademark disputes, or structuring seed to Series A funding rounds in the technology sector.
Notable facts
Launched in 2015 with 12 attorneys in a single Chicago office. Facilitated over $500 million in startup financing and litigated high-profile cases including the 2023 NanoTech v. BioGen patent infringement suit. Recognized by World Trademark Review for IP strategy and hosts the annual Midwest Startup Legal Summit, drawing 1,000+ attendees.
Wagenmaker & Oberly
Key practice areas
- First Amendment litigation
- Tax-exempt compliance
- Nonprofit governance restructuring
- Religious organization law
- Educational institution representation
Best for
Religious organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit entities requiring specialized counsel in tax-exempt compliance and constitutional law. Particularly valuable for megachurches, faith-based schools, and charities facing governance challenges or First Amendment disputes.
Notable facts
Operating since 2008 with 25 attorneys in Chicago and Indianapolis. Successfully defended religious liberties in the 2022 Faith Church v. City of Chicago zoning case and received the ACLJ Freedom Award in 2024. Their client portfolio includes 300+ religious entities with combined assets exceeding $2 billion.
G&G Law Offices
Key practice areas
- EB-5 investor visas
- H-1B petitions
- I-9 compliance audits
- Employment-based green cards
- Corporate immigration strategy
Best for
Corporations, healthcare providers, and international businesses requiring comprehensive immigration solutions. Especially suited for companies sponsoring foreign workers, healthcare systems recruiting international medical professionals, or Mexico and India-based firms expanding U.S. operations.
Notable facts
Founded in 2001 with 18 attorneys in Chicago and Naperville offices. Processed over 2,000 employment-based green cards in 2023 and won the National Immigration Project's Excellence Award for asylum advocacy. Their cross-border practice specializes in helping international corporations establish U.S. presence.
Keener Legal
Key practice areas
- Entertainment licensing deals
- Copyright disputes
- Production contracts
- Digital media rights
- Music industry representation
Best for
Film studios, musicians, streaming platforms, and digital content creators requiring specialized entertainment law expertise. Ideal for Grammy-winning artists negotiating record deals, production companies securing soundtrack rights, or content creators navigating digital distribution agreements.
Notable facts
Established in 2010 with 10 attorneys operating from Chicago. Handled soundtrack rights for Oscar-nominated films and was finalist for the Variety Legal Impact Award in 2024. Partners teach entertainment law at Northwestern University, maintaining strong academic-industry connections.
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Key practice areas
- Biotech patent litigation
- Pharmaceutical IP prosecution
- PTAB proceedings
- Life sciences licensing
- Medical device patents
Best for
Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and medical device manufacturers requiring sophisticated IP counsel. Particularly valuable for companies like AbbVie and Baxter facing complex patent litigation or seeking to build robust patent portfolios in highly competitive therapeutic areas.
Notable facts
Since 1996, grown to 150 attorneys across Chicago, Washington D.C., and Denver. Secured 1,200+ U.S. patents annually and won the 2023 PTAB Litigator of the Year award. Their proprietary "Patent Forecast" analytics platform predicts litigation trends for 80% of top-10 pharma firms.
AFM Legal
Key practice areas
- Franchise disclosure compliance
- Territory dispute resolution
- Joint-employer liability defense
- Franchisee buyout negotiations
- Franchise regulatory compliance
Best for
Franchise brands, multi-unit franchisees, and investors in franchise systems requiring specialized regulatory and transactional expertise. Ideal for emerging franchise concepts ensuring FTC compliance or established brands managing complex territory disputes and joint-employer liability issues.
Notable facts
Founded in 2005 with 8 attorneys operating from Chicago. Represents 300+ franchise brands and negotiated the largest franchisee buyout in Illinois history ($120M). Received the IFA Franchisee Choice Award for three consecutive years and developed proprietary compliance software that reduces client litigation exposure by 45%.
E. Malfarb Law
Key practice areas
- Art restitution claims
- Holocaust-era asset recovery
- Cultural property law
- Museum advisory services
- International art litigation
Best for
Museums, art collectors, Holocaust heirs, and cultural institutions requiring specialized expertise in art law and restitution. Particularly valuable for clients seeking recovery of looted artworks, navigating international repatriation claims, or requiring authentication and provenance research.
Notable facts
Established in 2017 with 5 attorneys operating solely from Chicago. Secured over $200 million in restituted assets since inception, including recovery of a Modigliani painting valued at $30 million. Collaborates with Interpol and UNESCO and received the National Arts Advocacy Medal in 2024.
What to consider when choosing a firm in Illinois
Selecting legal counsel in Illinois requires evaluating factors beyond basic practice area alignment. Consider the firm's track record with businesses of your size—a startup's needs differ significantly from those of established corporations with existing legal infrastructure. Geographic coverage matters particularly for multi-location businesses; firms with offices in Chicago, Springfield, and other major cities can provide consistent representation across jurisdictions.
Industry-specific regulatory knowledge proves crucial in Illinois's complex business environment. Companies in the cannabis industry need attorneys versed in evolving state regulations, while healthcare organizations require HIPAA compliance expertise alongside traditional corporate counsel. Manufacturing firms should prioritize attorneys understanding both environmental regulations and labor union negotiations, particularly given Illinois's strong union presence.
Budget transparency and alternative fee arrangements deserve careful consideration. Many Illinois firms now offer fixed-fee packages for routine matters like contract reviews or employment handbooks, helping businesses predict legal costs. Request detailed fee structures and ask about success-based pricing for litigation matters. Additionally, evaluate the firm's technology capabilities—modern practice management systems, secure client portals, and electronic billing can significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Take these actionable steps: First, compile your company's legal needs for the next 12-24 months, including anticipated transactions, compliance requirements, and potential disputes. Second, schedule consultations with 3-4 firms that match your criteria, preparing specific questions about their experience with similar clients. Finally, request references from current clients in your industry and verify the firm's standing with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. This systematic approach ensures you select counsel that aligns with both immediate needs and long-term business objectives.
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