The Chicago office is Jenner & Block’s first and largest office — the birthplace and center from which the firm has built its reputation and culture. The firm first opened its doors in 1914 as Newman, Poppenhusen & Stern, a three-person firm located in downtown Chicago in a building that was erected soon after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Today, Jenner & Block is one of the largest law firms in Chicago.
Founded in 1914, Jenner & Block is a law firm of international reach with more than 500 lawyers. The firm has been widely recognized for producing outstanding results in corporate transactions and securing significant litigation victories from the trial level through the United States Supreme Court. Founded in 1914, Jenner & Block is a law firm of international reach with more than 500 lawyers.
The firm has been widely recognized for producing outstanding results in corporate transactions and securing significant litigation victories from the trial level through the United States Supreme Court. Companies and individuals around the world trust Jenner & Block with their most sensitive and consequential matters.
The firm’s clients range from the top ranks of the Fortune 500, large privately held corporations and financial services institutions to emerging companies, family-run businesses and individuals.The Jenner & Block Difference
• Members of the bars of every United States Court of Appeals and members of the state bars throughout the country.
• Among trial lawyers are 12 Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 12 former US Supreme Court clerks, 87 former US courts of appeals clerks, numerous state appellate court clerks, two former US attorneys, the former associate attorney general of the United States, and numerous former assistant US attorneys.
• The firm’s lawyers are actively involved in writing, speaking and representing clients on issues at the leading edge of the world’s business community and the practice of law.Ross Bricker of Jenner & Block tells us more about the firm and its reputation for excellence.
“We are defined by the exceptional results we produce, the values we share, the clients we serve and most importantly, our lawyers,” he begins. “Jenner & Block lawyers consistently deliver excellence in the most complex and demanding legal matters, both litigation and transactions. They do not consider the practice of law a job, but rather a calling to serve clients, the profession and the community. No matter what legal challenge is presented, our powerful combination of experience, professionalism and teamwork helps clients achieve their goals.”The firm has earned its reputation as a litigation powerhouse.
The 400 lawyers in its nationally recognized litigation department have won impressive victories in complex and challenging cases in a broad range of substantive areas of law and across a wide variety of industries, before federal, state and administrative courts and in arbitrations. “We have achieved landmark rulings on behalf of clients in matters before the United States Supreme Court — our appellate advocates have presented 21 oral arguments to the Court in the last 10 terms, and we also have an extensive amicus practice,” explains Ross.Lawyers in the transactional practices represent international and domestic clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and dispositions of businesses.
The firm also regularly advises clients regarding public and private securities offerings and financings and in areas such as real estate, tax, environmental, insurance, commercial law, technology, intellectual property, bankruptcy and reorganization, labor and employment, executive compensation, government contracts, health care and associations.“A commitment to public service is part of the DNA of our firm,” Ross embellishes.
“We are known for our long tradition of pro bono advocacy, as well as service to the bar and to our communities. “Indeed, the American Lawyer magazine has ranked Jenner & Block as the Number One pro bono firm in the United States seven times, most recently in 2015. Other accolades have come from The National Law Journal, which named the firm to its 2015 “Pro Bono Hot List,” and Law360, which has recognized the firm as a top “Pro Bono Firm” for five consecutive years since 2010.Many organizations have also recognized Jenner & Block for its pro bono work.
The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association honored a firm team with the 2015 Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service. The firm has received the prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association, the Pro Bono Institute’s John H. Pickering Award, the Public Interest Law Initiative’s Pro Bono Initiative Award, the DC Bar’s Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award and numerous others.
In addition, many lawyers in the firm have received individual awards for the pro bono work they have done.The firm’s overall achievement is well noted. The American Lawyer most recently named Jenner & Block to its A-List in 2016, recognizing it as among the top 20 law firms in the United States judged best at balancing the practice of law with their obligations to the profession. “The honor reflects our commitment to exceeding clients’ expectations, investing in our people, increasing diversity in the legal profession and helping those with the greatest need for legal representation through pro bono service,” Ross enthuses.
Jenner & Block lawyers rise above the rest both in terms of their qualifications and their approach to practicing law. Several Jenner & Block lawyers currently serve as federal judges, building on a remarkable history of judicial service by member of the firm. One former partner served as the United States solicitor general.
Ross explains: “We recruit our lawyers from top-tier law schools and prominent clerkships, and foster their growth and development with training, mentoring and casework. We foster creativity in the practice of law, while also holding our lawyers to a rigorous set of performance standards. Our culture combines entrepreneurism with an atmosphere of collegiality and teamwork.”
Company: Jenner & Block
Name: Ross Bricker
Website: https://jenner.com/
