Discover respected Illinois law firms serving individuals and businesses statewide. Review their legal capabilities, attorney experience, and notable accomplishments to identify a firm well suited to your specific needs.
RANKED FIRMS
PRACTICE AREAS
UPDATED
The top-ranked law firm in Illinois is Sidley Austin LLP. Other leading Illinois firms include Mayer Brown LLP, Jenner & Block LLP, Winston & Strawn LLP, and McDermott Will & Emery. Rankings are based on verified case outcomes, peer and client standing, depth of expertise, and annual editorial review by the Lexinter desk.
Reviewed by the Lexinter Editorial Desk
Choosing the right legal partner in Illinois can significantly impact the outcome of your case, business decision, or long-term plans. From complex litigation and corporate transactions to personal legal matters, the state is home to some of the most respected and capable law firms in the country. This guide to the top 15 law firms in Illinois highlights firms known for their experience, strategic thinking, and consistent results. Whether you need specialized expertise or full-service representation, these firms stand out for delivering reliable legal solutions tailored to a wide range of client needs.
Showing all 15 firms
Sidley Austin LLP is one of Illinois’ most influential law firms, with Chicago roots dating back to 1866 and a global platform serving clients in more than 70 countries. The firm is known for its strength in litigation, corporate law, finance, regulatory matters, private equity, life sciences, and technology. With nearly 500 lawyers in its Chicago office, Sidley helps businesses, institutions, and individuals navigate complex legal issues with precision and strategic insight. Its combination of global reach, deep legal talent, and business-focused counsel makes it a standout choice for clients facing sophisticated legal challenges.
View Firm Profile
Mayer Brown LLP is a global law firm with deep Chicago roots, tracing its history to 1881. Its Chicago office remains the firm’s original and largest location, serving as a major hub for litigation, banking and finance, corporate transactions, real estate, tax, and regulatory matters. Known for its ability to manage complex cross-border issues, Mayer Brown works with financial institutions, corporations, investors, and public-sector clients. The firm combines legal excellence with practical business understanding, helping clients reduce risk, close important deals, and resolve disputes efficiently.
View Firm Profile
Jenner & Block LLP is a premier law firm founded in 1914 and widely recognized for litigation, investigations, corporate transactions, public policy, and crisis management. With more than 500 lawyers globally, the firm is known for handling high-profile disputes and complex legal matters that require strong advocacy and careful strategy. Jenner & Block also has a notable commitment to pro bono work and public service. Its attorneys help clients manage sensitive disputes, regulatory challenges, and business-critical legal issues with skill, discretion, and a reputation for excellence.
View Firm Profile
Winston & Strawn LLP is a major international law firm founded in Chicago in 1853, making it one of the city’s oldest and most established legal institutions. Today, the firm has more than 975 attorneys across offices in the United States, Europe, and South America. Winston & Strawn is known for litigation, corporate transactions, antitrust, finance, private equity, intellectual property, and regulatory matters. Its attorneys combine courtroom strength with deal-making experience, helping clients protect their interests, pursue growth, and navigate complex business and legal environments.
View Firm Profile
McDermott Will & Emery, now operating as McDermott Will & Schulte following its 2025 combination with Schulte Roth & Zabel, is a global law firm with strong Chicago origins. Founded in 1934, the firm has grown from its tax-law roots into a full-service legal powerhouse with 1,750 lawyers and 20+ global offices. Its Chicago teams handle antitrust, banking and finance, corporate law, healthcare, intellectual property, employment, litigation, real estate, tax, and white-collar defense. The firm is especially valued by businesses seeking sophisticated counsel in highly regulated, fast-moving industries.
View Firm Profile
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is one of the world’s most prestigious law firms, founded in 1948 and widely recognized for its leadership in mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, litigation, and capital markets. With a strong Chicago presence and a global network of offices, the firm advises corporations, financial institutions, and governments on high-value and complex transactions. Known for handling landmark deals and high-stakes disputes, Skadden delivers strategic, results-driven counsel that helps clients navigate critical legal and business challenges with confidence.
View Firm Profile
ArentFox Schiff LLP is a full-service law firm formed through the merger of Arent Fox and Schiff Hardin, bringing together decades of legal excellence and deep Chicago roots. With more than 600 attorneys, the firm offers services in corporate law, real estate, litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory matters. Known for its collaborative culture and client-first mindset, ArentFox Schiff works closely with businesses, nonprofits, and government entities to deliver practical, forward-thinking legal solutions tailored to evolving industry needs.
View Firm Profile
DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world, with a significant Chicago office serving as a key hub for its U.S. operations. With lawyers across more than 40 countries, the firm provides comprehensive legal services in corporate law, litigation, real estate, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. DLA Piper is known for its global reach and ability to manage complex, cross-border matters efficiently. Its attorneys help clients expand into new markets, manage risks, and execute strategic initiatives in an increasingly interconnected business environment.
View Firm Profile
Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm with a strong presence in Chicago and a reputation for excellence in corporate law, finance, litigation, and capital markets. Founded in 1934, the firm has grown into an international powerhouse with more than 3,000 attorneys worldwide. It advises multinational corporations, private equity firms, and financial institutions on complex transactions and disputes. Known for its high-performance culture and strategic insight, Latham & Watkins helps clients achieve their business objectives while navigating legal challenges with precision.
View Firm Profile
Jones Day is a global law firm with a long-standing Chicago presence and more than 2,500 lawyers across five continents. Founded in 1893, the firm provides legal services in litigation, corporate law, labor and employment, intellectual property, antitrust, and regulatory matters. Jones Day is known for its integrated, one-firm approach, allowing clients to access consistent, high-quality legal counsel worldwide. Its attorneys focus on delivering practical, business-oriented solutions that help clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and drive long-term success.
View Firm Profile
Seyfarth Shaw LLP is a nationally recognized law firm founded in 1945 and headquartered in Chicago. The firm has more than 900 attorneys and is particularly known for its leadership in labor and employment law, litigation, corporate law, real estate, and regulatory matters. Seyfarth is widely respected for its innovative approach to legal service delivery, combining technology with legal strategy to improve efficiency and outcomes. Its attorneys help clients manage workforce challenges, reduce risk, and navigate complex legal environments with practical, business-focused solutions.
View Firm Profile
Baker McKenzie is a global law firm founded in Chicago in 1949, making it one of the city’s most influential legal institutions. With more than 4,500 lawyers across 70+ offices worldwide, the firm is known for international law, corporate transactions, tax, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. Baker McKenzie is especially valued for its ability to guide multinational clients through cross-border legal challenges. Its globally integrated teams provide consistent, strategic advice that helps organizations expand, comply with regulations, and succeed in competitive global markets.
View Firm Profile
Chapman and Cutler LLP is a Chicago-based law firm founded in 1913, widely recognized for its strength in finance, banking, and investment management. The firm advises financial institutions, corporate borrowers, public entities, and investors on complex financing transactions, structured finance, securities, and regulatory compliance matters. Known for its technical precision and deep industry focus, Chapman and Cutler delivers practical legal strategies for sophisticated financial challenges. Its attorneys help clients structure deals, manage risk effectively, and move forward with confidence in highly competitive and evolving markets.
View Firm Profile
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is a global law firm founded in 1967, with a strong Chicago presence and more than 2,700 attorneys worldwide. The firm provides legal services across corporate law, litigation, real estate, finance, intellectual property, and regulatory matters. Known for its entrepreneurial culture and client-focused approach, it serves startups, investors, and major corporations alike. Its attorneys deliver practical, strategic guidance that helps clients navigate complex transactions, resolve disputes, manage risk, and achieve sustainable growth in competitive and rapidly evolving markets.
View Firm Profile
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is a full-service law firm headquartered in Chicago, with more than 700 attorneys across the United States and internationally. Founded in 1974, the firm focuses on corporate law, financial services, real estate, litigation, intellectual property, and tax. Katten is especially known for advising financial institutions, investment funds, and growing companies. With a strong client-centered approach, its attorneys deliver tailored legal strategies that support innovation, mitigate risk, and help clients achieve successful outcomes in complex and regulated industries.
View Firm Profile
Every firm in the Lexinter directory is reviewed using a consistent set of editorial criteria, helping ensure each ranking is clear, structured, and based on relevant information.
Attorney qualifications, professional recognition, and other publicly available credentials.
Office locations, geographic reach, years of operation, and the communities or industries the firm serves.
Breadth of practice areas, partner experience, and specialization relevant to your needs.
A thorough final review by the Lexinter desk, refreshed annually to keep every ranking current.
Sidley Austin LLP is ranked as the leading law firm in Illinois, recognized for its breadth of legal capabilities, experienced attorneys, and established reputation for advising businesses, institutions, and individuals on complex legal matters.
Each Illinois law firm profile highlights key details to help you evaluate the firm, including its practice areas, office locations, featured attorneys, and notable achievements. Some profiles may also include additional information about the firm’s experience, services, and areas of focus.
Yes. The rankings include both established, full-service law firms and smaller boutique practices. Each firm is evaluated on factors such as experience, reputation, notable results, and depth of expertise, allowing users to compare a broad range of options.
Yes. Many Illinois law firm profiles indicate whether contingency fee arrangements are available. Because fee structures can vary by practice area and case, review the profile carefully and confirm the terms directly with the firm before proceeding.
To have your law firm considered for a listing, click the Get Your Firm Listed button at the bottom of this page. You can also visit our Pricing page, choose the option that best fits your firm, and submit the required information.
Finding the right lawyer in Illinois should not feel overwhelming or time-consuming. Lexinter simplifies the process by connecting you with trusted, high-performing legal professionals tailored to your specific needs. Instead of endless searching, you get clear, relevant options backed by reliable insights. Whether you are dealing with a business issue, dispute, or personal matter, Lexinter helps you act faster and choose smarter, giving you the confidence to move forward with the right legal support.
