2025 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
NEIL CONRAD
AGE 39
FIRM Sidley Austin LLP
LAW SCHOOL University of Chicago Law School
N eil H. Conrad has built a reputation as one of Chicago’s most versatile and client-focused litigators. A partner at Sidley Austin LLP, Conrad stands out for his ability to guide matters seamlessly from early strategy through trial and appeal. Conrad’s practice spans commercial litigation, securities and shareholder disputes, and appellate law, where his strategic acu- men and steady presence have delivered significant results. Eric Dodson Greenberg, General Counsel of Cox Media Group, recalls working with Conrad on a major matter threat- ening the viability of the business. With Conrad’s creativity and tenacity, the company turned a defensive position into strate- gic leverage. “Neil mastered the media ecosystem, its peculiar jargon, regulatory nuances, legacy contract conventions, and business realities, then distilled those into coherent, persuasive and enforceable claims,” Greenberg said. The strategy paid off: CMG was able to protect its interests, underscoring the power of Conrad’s approach. Walter Carlson, CEO of Telephone and Data Systems, worked with Conrad on multi-billion-dollar securities litigation and shareholder suits. Carlson noted that Conrad’s written and oral advocacy, combined with his unfaltering client service, led to extraordinary results—including a rare complete summary judgment victory in a sprawling federal securities class action that was affirmed on appeal. “Neil is the consummate team player,” Carlson said. “He knows how to work effectively with Neil's performance on this matter stood out as one of the finest of any associate I ever observed while at Sidley. “ ”
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Commercial litigation and disputes, securities and shareholder litigation, Supreme Court appellate law
others to accomplish the objective. And most importantly, he is committed to the client’s success.” Clients and colleagues alike highlight Conrad’s ability to gen- erate innovative strategies while keeping sight of business re- alities. Constantine Trela, a longtime appellate partner, empha- sized Conrad’s judgment even early in his career: “Neil inevitably came back with ideas and suggestions that offered creative ways of advancing the client’s interests that hadn’t occurred to others on the team.” Trela credits Conrad’s briefs with helping reverse a $30 million judgment against one client, and with sav- ing another hundreds of millions in a high-stakes trade secret appeal for another client. Another colleague described Conrad’s performance in a multi-year arbitration as “one of the finest of any associate I ever observed.” From complex discovery through a week-long trial, Conrad’s calm advocacy and sharp judgment earned praise not just from clients but also from opposing counsel. His career reflects the qualities that clients value most in their outside counsel: intelligence and creativity, balanced by judgment and humility; fierce advocacy, tempered by civility and collaboration; and, above all, an unwavering focus on advancing client interests. In the words of one colleague, he is “a unicorn: a young partner who provides the judgment and strategic sense of a seasoned counselor.”
40 Under Forty 2025
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CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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