River North, north Loop claim 14 of Chicago’s 25 biggest law firms

18-Feb-10 – Most of Chicago’s Top 25 law firms are located in River North or the north side of the Loop, according to a new ranking by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Publishing on Monday, the business newspaper ranked Chicago’s largest law firms by number of local attorneys. At the top of the list is Kirkland & Ellis, which moved its 658 attorneys last April from the Aon Center to 26 floors in the newly constructed 60-story building (left) at 300 North LaSalle. Worldwide, Kirkland & Ellis has 1,510 attorneys.

At number four on the list is Winston & Strawn, whose 368 local attorneys are in the Leo Burnett Building across Wacker Drive from Marina City.

Jenner & Block was next, with its 356 attorneys occupying upper floors at 353 North Clark, the 44-story neighbor of Marina City on the other side of Dearborn Street.

And one more law firm will soon re-settle in River North. Crain’s is reporting that Littler Mendelson P.C., a national labor law firm, has agreed to lease 36,000 square feet on two floors at 321 North Clark Street, another Marina City neighbor. They will occupy space left behind by Mesirow Financial when it moved across the street to 353 North Clark.

The firm will move this summer from 200 North LaSalle Street. Crain’s says Littler Mendelson will also get Mesirow’s old office furniture.

 Chicago’s Largest Law Firms