2025 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
ABE WEHBI
AGE 35
FIRM Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
LAW SCHOOL Chicago-Kent College of Law
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Venture capital, private equity, business law and mergers-and-acquisitions
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He delivers advice as if I am his only client, when in fact he has a large roster of demanding clients. ” A be Wehbi is a true partner to his business clients. Just ask Hani Azzam, co-founder of Massachusetts-based Viaka LLC, an angel network. Abe Wehbi is a true partner to his business clients. Just ask Hani Azzam, co-founder of Massachusetts-based Viaka LLC, an angel network. Wehbi has helped build Viaka into a thriving global communi- ty platform for founders, investors and tech operators from the Middle East and North Africa. Specifically, Wehbi worked with Azzam to bring on a co-founder who has boosted the amount of business that Viaka is doing. Wehbi also proved instrumental in launching Viaka's angel syndicate and helped establish the U.S. legal presence of Propeller VC, a fund that Azzam just joined. "I have 100% trust in Abe," Azzam said. "His objectives align with my best interests as a client. In my jobs, I work with tons of folks, from lawyers to accountants to investors. But Abe is num- ber one on my list in terms of trusted introductions." This is a common theme of Wehbi's clients: They have com- plete trust that he will always act in their best interest and fight diligently for the best results for them and their businesses. During his career, Wehbi has overseen hundreds of venture capital investment deals, mergers-and-acquisitions and private equity transactions. Ignyte, the largest accelerator based in the UAE, appointed Wehbi to assist and advise in all matters
relating to cross-border investments. He has also been tasked with helping Ignyte establish a U.S. presence. Adam Fridman, founder of the digital marketing and branding agency Mabbly, has been a client of Wehbi’s for over 8 years. Fridman said, “In our 8 years together, Abe was able to bring to the table countless opposing views from raising capital for our business to partnership agreements.” Tornu Ngwayah, founder of ConnectCareHero, which helps keep older adults socially connected, turned to Wehbi to help his company navigate a complex multi-party agreement involv- ing intellectual property rights. "Not only did he spot gaps in the contract that other attorneys had missed, he also restricted the deal in a way that safeguarded our interests and gave us greater leverage," Ngwayah said. Sharon Siegel, General Counsel of Notabene, Inc, has been working with Wehbi for the last 9 months. Siegel retained Wehbi after seeing his work as counsel for their lead investor in Nota- bene’s Series B financing, Siegel said, “Abe is the rare attorney who delivers expertise in every area of law that a high-growth start-up requires, combined with an intimate understanding of my business, immediate responsiveness and turn-around, suc- cinct and right-on-point advice, and common sense.” Siegel con- tinued, “He delivers advice as if I am his only client, when in fact he has a large roster of demanding clients.”
40 Under Forty 2025
70
CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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