2025 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
ALEXANDER PASSO
AGE 38
FIRM Latimer Levay Fyock
LAW SCHOOL Chicago-Kent College of Law
“
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Commercial litigation
He brings a depth to his work that informs the structure of his advice to his clients and his approach to resolution.
”
A tenacious litigator who earns winning results for clients in the most difficult of situations. That's how his peers de- scribe Alexander Passo, one of the best young commercial and professional liability litigation specialists in the Chicago area. A trademark to his practice is representing clients in complex fac- tual and legal cases that are ripe to go to trial. Consider a case involving business fraud in which Passo had to rely upon just one text message to establish that a manager who was charged with managing and selling a property for a client never in fact tried to move the property. Instead, Passo used this single text message as evidence that the manager in- stead planned to continue managing the property for his own self-interest. Eventually, after saying that they would never settle and bringing a counterclaim, the opposing counsel called Passo the night before trial to mediate in the 11th hour before a retired judge opposing counsel had retained that day. The case settled that evening with a six-figure settlement for Passo's client. In a similar vein, Passo represented a mother whose son was mur- dered and whose life insurance carrier denied the policy benefit based upon an argument her son was committing a felony at the time of the murder. This argument failed after discovery and the policy was paid. In another case, Passo represented a client who prevailed in an employment discrimination trial, but, whose attorney
tendered only a fraction of the seven-figure judgment to him based upon a lopsided contingency fee agreement. Passo successfully obtained summary judgment invalidating the fee agreement under the Rules of Professional Conduct. Passo has represented numerous business owners in op- pression and breach of fiduciary duty claims where he obtained seven-figure settlements - including a successful appeal of the removal of a general partner of a Caribbean hotel by limited partners. He has also represented a medical coding and billing provider clients in several multi-million-dollar breach-of-con- tract suits against hospitals and medical providers who failed to pay Passo's clients for the services they provided. Counter- claims were filed by the medical providers. After discovery, the providers ultimately settled and paid. "Alex is the unique type of litigator who combines fierce ad- vocacy, intense preparation and grace toward opposing coun- sel," said Robert Held of Chicago's Held Law Offices. Janet Wagner, principal of Chuhak & Tecson, said that Passo is skilled in handling both the legal and emotional aspects of his cases, serving as a calming influence while also being a dedicat- ed advocate for his clients. Wagner said. "He brings a depth to his work that informs the structure of his advice to his clients and his approach to resolution, whether through litigation, ne- gotiation or other dispute resolution forums."
40 Under Forty 2025
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CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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