Chicago has established itself as one of the three premier legal cities in the United States, alongside New York and Washington D.C. The Windy City hosts some of the world’s most prestigious and profitable law firms, offering exceptional opportunities for attorneys at all career levels.
What makes Chicago such an attractive destination for legal practice? The city combines the presence of top-tier global firms (Big Law) with specialized boutiques and abundant in-house opportunities across financial, technology, and industrial sectors. As Vault notes, “the food and job opportunities in the Windy City are unbeatable.”
The competitive nature of these elite firms means that securing positions often requires strategic career planning, strong credentials, and sometimes the guidance of experienced legal recruiters chicago professionals who understand the nuances of each firm’s hiring practices and culture.
What Are the Top Law Firms in Chicago?
According to the most recent rankings from Chambers USA 2025 and Vault 2024, these five law firms define legal excellence in Chicago:
1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP – The World’s #1 Law Firm
What is the #1 law firm in the world? The answer is unequivocal: Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Headquartered in Chicago, this firm holds the title of the world’s most profitable and highest-grossing law firm globally.
Key Metrics:
- 2024 Revenue: $8.8 billion (+22% from 2023)
- Profits Per Partner (PEP): $9.25 million
- Founded: 1909 in Chicago
- Attorneys: Over 3,500 across 21 global offices
- Chicago Office: Nearly 800 attorneys
Kirkland & Ellis leads in multiple practice areas, including M&A, private equity, bankruptcies, and complex litigation. The firm has handled landmark transactions such as the $90 billion Celgene acquisition and the $63 billion Allergan deal.
Core Specializations:
- Private Equity & M&A (global leader)
- Litigation and International Arbitration
- Intellectual Property
- Restructuring and Bankruptcies
- Corporate Investigations
The firm also stands out for its political connections, with notable alumni including Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, former Attorney General William Barr, and other government leaders.
For professionals aspiring to join Kirkland & Ellis, understanding the firm’s culture and building relevant experience in their core practice areas is essential. The firm seeks attorneys who can contribute to their high-stakes, high-reward environment from day one.
2. Sidley Austin LLP – Tradition Meets Global Excellence
Sidley Austin represents the perfect combination of legal tradition and modern global reach. Founded in 1866, it’s one of Chicago’s oldest firms and maintains its headquarters at One South Dearborn in the heart of the Loop.
Corporate Profile:
- 2023 Revenue: $3.1 billion
- Global Ranking: Top 10 by revenue (#8 in gross revenue)
- Attorneys: Approximately 2,300 across 21 offices
- PEP: $5.16 million
- Clients: 67 Fortune 100 companies
Distinguished Strengths:
- Corporate & M&A: Over 1,915 transactions since 2022 valued at $795+ billion
- Litigation and Appeals: 150+ cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
- Corporate Investigations: Recognized as global top-2
- Regulatory: Leadership in compliance and international trade
Sidley Austin is renowned for its collaborative culture and professional development programs. The firm’s stability and growth opportunities make it attractive to attorneys at various career stages, from recent graduates to experienced practitioners seeking partnership track positions.
Barack and Michelle Obama worked as summer associates at the Chicago office, illustrating the caliber of talent the firm attracts and develops.
3. Mayer Brown LLP – Global Powerhouse from Chicago
With 143 years of history, Mayer Brown LLP has evolved from its Chicago roots to become a global legal powerhouse with presence in 27 offices across 14 countries.
2024 Financial Metrics:
- Revenue: $1.98 billion (+3.9%)
- PEP: $2.8 million (+14.3%)
- Ranking: #5 in Chicago prestige (Vault)
- Attorneys: 1,900-2,000 globally, ~900 in Chicago
Recognized Specialties:
- Banking and Finance: Leading advisor to global financial institutions
- Corporate & M&A: Handling Fortune 100 transactions
- Projects and Infrastructure: Active in major global projects
- Cybersecurity and Privacy: Specialized practice in incident response
- Complex Litigation: Representation in 250+ Supreme Court cases
The firm is distinguished by its “professional and social culture” with strong mentoring and a 2,000 billable hours annual target. Mayer Brown represents an excellent option for attorneys seeking international experience while maintaining a solid foundation in the Chicago legal market.
4. Winston & Strawn LLP – 170 Years of Excellence
As one of Chicago’s oldest firms (founded in 1853), Winston & Strawn combines historical tradition with modern innovation and sustained growth.
2024 Financial Performance:
- Net Income: $410.2 million (+9.6%)
- PEP: Over $3.5 million
- Attorneys: 975 globally, ~290 in Chicago
- Offices: 15 locations (10 in U.S., 5 international)
Leadership Areas:
- Commercial Litigation: 450+ specialized litigators
- White Collar & Investigations: Team of 80+ litigators including former prosecutors
- Antitrust and Competition: Cartel defense and merger expertise
- Corporate M&A: Fortune 500 advisory services
- Intellectual Property: Strong presence in patent litigation
Winston & Strawn stands out for its Midwest culture – professional, collaborative, and friendly. The firm offers exceptional family benefits, including 20 weeks of parental leave and flexible schedule options.
Emblematic figures like Dan Webb (former U.S. Attorney) and Jeffrey Kessler (antitrust specialist who represented Tom Brady) reflect the caliber of talent the firm attracts.
5. Jenner & Block LLP – Litigation Leader and Diversity Champion
Jenner & Block, founded in 1914, has established itself as one of Chicago’s most respected boutique firms, specializing in high-level commercial litigation while maintaining a strong commitment to diversity and pro bono service.
2024 Financial Growth:
- Revenue: $682 million (+17%)
- PEP: $2.84 million (+23.5%)
- Attorneys: 500+ across 6 offices
- Ranking: #7 in Chicago regional prestige
Recognized Specialties:
- General Commercial Litigation: Band 1 in Chambers USA
- White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: Band 1 expertise
- Insurance Policyholder Disputes: Top-tier representation
- Appeals: Nationally recognized appellate practice
- Law Firm Defense: Band 1 national practice
The firm’s culture is notably accessible, collaborative, and focused on professional development. All attorneys completed at least 20 pro bono hours last year, totaling over 83,000 hours firm-wide.
Recent high-profile additions include Damian Williams, former SDNY U.S. Attorney, named co-chair of Litigation & Investigations in 2025, demonstrating the firm’s continued ability to attract top talent.
Is Chicago a Good City for Lawyers?
Absolutely. Chicago consistently ranks as one of the top three legal markets in the United States for several compelling reasons:
Market Diversity: Chicago offers unparalleled diversity in legal opportunities. The city hosts global Big Law firms, specialized boutiques, major corporate legal departments, and government agencies. This diversity means attorneys can find opportunities across all practice areas and career stages.
Economic Strength: As the third-largest city in the U.S. and a major financial center, Chicago provides a stable economic foundation for legal practice. The city serves as headquarters for 36 Fortune 500 companies, creating substantial demand for legal services.
Quality of Life: Unlike the intense pace of New York or the political atmosphere of Washington D.C., Chicago offers a more balanced lifestyle. The cost of living is more reasonable, and the city provides excellent cultural amenities, dining, and recreational opportunities.
Professional Development: Chicago’s legal community is known for its collaborative nature and strong mentoring traditions. Young attorneys often find more opportunities for hands-on experience and accelerated career growth compared to other major markets.
Compensation: While slightly below New York levels, compensation at top Chicago firms remains highly competitive, often providing better value when adjusted for cost of living.
The Role of Legal Recruiters in Chicago’s Market
Accessing opportunities at these top-tier firms requires strategic career planning and often professional guidance. The chicago legal recruiter landscape has evolved significantly, with specialized firms focusing on strategic career placement and long-term professional development.
Successful placements at elite firms require more than impressive credentials – they demand deep understanding of each firm’s culture, hiring patterns, and strategic needs.
Benefits of Professional Recruitment Guidance:
Market Intelligence: Experienced legal recruiting firms chicago professionals maintain current knowledge of hiring trends, compensation benchmarks, and cultural fit factors at each firm.
Strategic Positioning: Professional recruiters understand how to position candidates effectively, highlighting relevant experience and addressing potential concerns proactively.
Confidential Process: For attorneys currently employed, working with reputable recruitment professionals ensures discretion throughout the search process.
Relationship Access: Established recruiters often have direct relationships with hiring partners and can provide insider perspectives on what firms actually seek in candidates.
Current Trends in Chicago’s Legal Market
The Chicago legal landscape continues evolving in 2025, with several key trends shaping career opportunities:
Lateral Partner Movement: There’s unprecedented movement of lateral partners between firms, driven by client portability and practice group expansion needs.
In-House Growth: Corporate legal departments are expanding rapidly, creating attractive opportunities for attorneys seeking better work-life balance and direct business involvement.
Technology Integration: Firms increasingly seek attorneys with both legal expertise and technology fluency, particularly in areas like legal tech, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
Diversity Focus: Chicago firms are prioritizing diversity initiatives, creating enhanced opportunities for attorneys from underrepresented backgrounds.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Post-pandemic, many firms have adopted hybrid work models, making Chicago positions attractive to attorneys seeking geographic flexibility.
Salary Benchmarks and Compensation Trends
Chicago’s legal market offers competitive compensation across all levels:
BigLaw Associates:
- First-year: $225,000 base salary
- Mid-level (4-6 years): $315,000-$385,000
- Senior (7-8 years): $415,000-$435,000
Partner Compensation:
- Equity partners at top firms average $2.8-$9.25 million annually
- Non-equity partners typically earn $500,000-$1.5 million
In-House Counsel:
- Associate/Senior Associate: $180,000-$280,000
- Counsel/Senior Counsel: $250,000-$400,000
- Deputy/Associate General Counsel: $350,000-$600,000
These figures reflect the strong earning potential that makes Chicago attractive to legal recruiter jobs chicago candidates at all levels.
Future Outlook: Chicago’s Legal Market
Looking ahead, Chicago’s position as a premier legal destination appears secure. The city’s economic diversification, reasonable cost of living, and strong professional culture continue attracting top legal talent.
Key growth areas include:
- Financial services regulation
- Technology and data privacy law
- Environmental and energy law
- Healthcare and life sciences
- International trade and commerce
For attorneys considering Chicago opportunities, the market offers exceptional prospects for career growth, competitive compensation, and professional satisfaction.
Conclusion
Chicago’s legal market represents the gold standard for balanced, high-quality legal practice. From Kirkland & Ellis’s global dominance to Jenner & Block’s litigation excellence, the city’s top firms offer unparalleled opportunities for legal professionals.
The combination of prestigious firms, diverse practice opportunities, reasonable cost of living, and collaborative professional culture makes Chicago an ideal destination for attorneys at all career stages.
Whether you’re a recent graduate targeting associate positions or an experienced attorney considering lateral moves, Chicago’s legal market offers the perfect platform for career excellence. The city’s top law firms continue setting global standards for legal practice, making them ideal destinations for ambitious legal professionals.
For those considering strategic career moves within Chicago’s elite legal market, experienced legal recruiters chicago can provide valuable guidance and market insights to help navigate these competitive opportunities.
For more information about legal career opportunities in Chicago, consider consulting with established legal recruitment professionals who specialize in the Chicago market.