Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced the opening of its Chicago office with the addition of Craig C. Martin and five other prominent lawyers.

Mr. Martin will join Willkie as a partner, a member of its Executive Committee, and as Chairman, Midwest for the firm. Also joining Willkie today as partners in Chicago are Amanda Amert, Matt Basil, Sara Horton, Barbara Grayson and  Matthew Thomas.  The team joins from Jenner & Block.

Mr. Martin is a noted attorney to whom major corporations and wealthy families turn for their most significant trials and appeals and as a strategist for major litigation. He is well-known for leading board-driven investigations for major corporations as well as advising on governance issues.

Ms. Amert, Mr. Basil, Ms. Horton and Mr. Thomas are trial lawyers who have worked with Mr. Martin and each other for decades. Together with Mr. Martin they will bolster Willkie’s litigation practice with experience in antitrust, class actions, commercial contract, employment, ERISA, intellectual property, international trade, patent, RICO, as well as investigations.

Ms. Grayson is a luminary in private wealth, estates and trusts.

Willkie Chairman Thomas Cerabino said: “Even at this moment of uncertainty, we feel that the opportunity to secure Craig, whom we have admired for years, and his team, is too good to pass up. We are thrilled to welcome this powerhouse team of first-chair trial lawyers, who are an excellent strategic fit for us. They will bolster our national litigation, investigations and IP practices, as Barbara strengthens our Private Client Practice. In the coming months, we anticipate a flight to quality to handle the unprecedented legal issues arising from the current crisis. Craig and the team will provide clients with the highest level of expertise and service to navigate these matters.”

“Willkie is among the top firms internationally with a broad litigation and corporate platform, and I am honored to launch its Chicago office,” said Mr. Martin. “Our clients require the multi-faceted solutions that Willkie’s partners and attorneys deliver every day. Willkie’s strengths in financial services, asset management, private equity and real estate, among others, enhance our ability toprovide such solutions. We hope our intense focus on critical trials and investigations enhances the firm’s offerings to its Midwest and national clients.”

Mr. Martin, a civically engaged Chicagoan, serves on the Civic Committee and is a member of the boards of Lurie Children’s Hospital, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, World Business Chicago, the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. Mr. Martin has also been active in leadership of the American Bar Association and was recently inducted to the American Law Institute.

He has maintained an active pro bono litigation practice since entering the profession. Last December, Mr. Martin achieved a path-breaking $11 million federal district court award on the rights of the incarcerated to adequate health care, in a court-appointed case.

“Craig’s commitment to Chicago’s civic life is exemplary. Willkie looks forward to participating along with Craig and our new partners,” Mr. Cerabino said.

Willkie’s Chicago announcement follows successful office openings in San Francisco in 2019 and Palo Alto in 2018. Willkie’s Chicago offices will be located at 300 N. LaSalle Street.