40 Under Forty 2021

2021

AMY GIBSON

Both her proactive and reactive counsel are spot-on.”

A my Gibson’s clients remain loyal to her for one main reason: She gets re- sults. This Chicagoland-native commercial litigation and employment law attorney has quickly built a thriving career and is now Co-Chair of the commercial litigation and employment practice groups at Chi- cago’s Aronberg Goldgehn. Ayesha Ahmed, General Counsel at Nexus Pharmaceuticals, turned to Gib- son when the company saw tremendous growth and needed sophisticated offer- ings on employment relations and policy and procedure issues. “Since Amy was brought on, our com- pany has doubled in size, so her counsel remains critical to ensure that all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed,” said Ahmed. “Both her proactive and reactive counsel are spot-on, and she has positioned our company to ensure we are best in class – even as we grow.” Gibson represents some of the biggest employers, including the likes of Athletico and The Salvation Army, protecting client assets and trade secrets as well as shield- ing them from claims involving discrim- ination, retaliation, violation of state and federal wage laws, and worker misclassifi- cation. She also focuses on complex com- mercial litigation including claims involv- ing shareholder disputes, fraud, consumer fraud, and breach of contract. Former Judge Rodolfo Garcia, who served for the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Appellate Court for the First District in Illinois, lauded Gibson for her advocacy in a complex commer- cial dispute lasting in excess of five years. Gibson marshalled the evidence to obtain

summary judgment, including an award of $1 million in punitive damages – a result rarely achieved. “Ms. Gibson is someone I would en- trust with my own representation if I had to deal with litigation,” said Judge Garcia. In addition to her legal practice, Gibson is a tireless advocate for women, which has led her to serve as a Co-Chair of the Alliance for Women at the Chicago Bar Association and a Co-Chair of Aronberg Goldgehn’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Maryam Ahmad, President of the CBA, praises Amy for being “inclusive in the broadest possible way.” “Great leaders reach back and pull oth- ers forward with them. Amy works hard to embody this,” said Ahmad. “It is second nature for Amy to bring together women of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, age, and profession.” Gibson also has been a guest lecturer at her alma mater for over eight years. Laurie Silvestri, Adjunct Professor and Director of the Upper-Level Legal Writing Program at Chicago-Kent College of Law was Gibson’s instructor in law school. The two reconnected through the CBA where she asked Gibson to be a guest lecturer. “My students always remark on how rewarding it is to hear from a former student who is so accomplished as a law firm partner and, even more importantly, someone who has assumed leadership roles within the profession via her involve- ment with the bar association. Amy’s an exceptional role model for the students,” stated Silvestri.

FIRM Aronberg Goldgehn

LAW SCHOOL IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law

AREA OF PRACTICE Commercial litigation, employment law

40 Under Forty 2021 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN