40 Under Forty 2025

2025 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

SEAN WAGNER

AGE 37

FIRM Much Shelist, P.C.

LAW SCHOOL Valparaiso University School of Law

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AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Construction law and commercial litigation

Not only is Sean a fighter in the courtroom for his clients, but he is also a counselor to his clients in every sense of that word.

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E ven though he’s still a young lawyer, Sean Wagner has already secured a long list of victories for his clients. Shipra Mehta, partner with Chicago’s Costello, Ginex & Wideikis, P.C., remembers the first time she worked with Wag- ner, a case with several defendants and plaintiffs. Wagner’s client was at the center, requiring countless rounds of written discovery, depositions, and motion practice. “Sean could not just take a ‘day off’ or never not be at his best when it came to thecase; and he never did,” Mehta said. “While Sean’s knowledge of the case and the underlying facts was certainly remarkable, perhaps the more exceptional trait was staying cool under pressure.” That preparation and poise is something Wagner always brings to the table. Clients trust him to understand their busi- nesses on a deep level and use that insight to fiercely advocate for them. “Sean shows a mastery of connecting with clients and un- derstanding what a ‘win’ may look like to a specific client. Not only is Sean a fighter in the courtroom for his clients, but he is also a counselor to his clients in every sense of that word,” said Kimberly Blair, partner with Chicago’s Wilson Elser. “This is why Sean’s clients come back to him time and time again.” Paul Bozych, senior partner with Chicago’s Nielsen, Zehe &

Antas, P.C., said Wagner is the “perfect partner,” a description he’s maintained since the pair first worked together on a large construction case. “Sean always knew exactly how to help me and was willing to do so,” Bozych said. “Sean had an encyclopedic knowledge of the massive file and the skill to provide me with a ‘link’ within minutes.” Add Travis Eliason, senior counsel with the Chicago office of Clark Hill, as another fan of Wagner’s legal work. Eliason handled litigation against one of Wagner’s clients, and several other parties, in a case that began in early 2021. The liti- gation lasted nearly four years. The efforts of Eliason and Wagner led to a global resolution, with Wagner achieving a favorable result for his client through what Eliason calls “patient, but zealous, advocacy.” During his time working with Wagner, Daniel Rupkey, deputy general counsel at GoHealth, said that he witnessed Wagner’s ability to balance a broad range of legal matters for businesses of all sizes and disciplines. “Whether he is negotiating a time-sensitive deal, aggressively litigating a novel issue or managing the defense of a large-scale complex lawsuit, Sean approaches all matters with the same poise, confidence and legal acumen,” Rupkey said.

40 Under Forty 2025

CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN