SARAH DUNKLEY
AGE 38
FIRM Golan Christie Taglia
LAW SCHOOL Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Commercial, employment and arbitration
2024 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
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S arah Dunkley made headlines in 2020 when she, as an as- sociate worked one of her partners at the time to win a record legal malpractice verdict at the time against one of the largest law firms in the world. The trial, which took place in Ohio and lasted three weeks, focused on a Cleveland technology company that owns patents in the denim industry. The successful verdict was affirmed on appeal, making it one of the largest jury verdicts of 2020. And while this case made news, the result wasn't unusual for Dunkley: This commercial law specialist has earned a long string of winning verdicts and settlements for her clients, something that has made her a go-to attorney for businesses that need legal expertise. "Sarah excels at applying her litigation skills to a broad range of industries, including intellectual property, trusts and estates, contract litigation, resource litigation and insolvency and bank- ruptcy law," said Joanna Kopczyk, judicial clerk for the Northern District of Indiana. "In an age where specialization is becoming more and typical, Sarah's wide experience sets her apart from other litigators in Chicago." Dunkley is thriving in Chicago's law community despite start- ing her legal career in Australia, where she obtained a dual de- gree in law and psychology. Once she arrived in Chicago? She enjoyed quick success, reaching partner status at her firm in just three years.
Sarah's wide experience sets her apart from other litigators in Chicago. ”
Today, Dunkley manages a broad practice across several lit- igation areas, including intellectual property, trust and estates, contract law, large-scale international resource arbitration and bankruptcy law. "She is an exceptional lawyer," said Laura Hamilton, a prose- cutor who first met Dunkley while the two were in law school in Perth, Australia. "She is practical and down to earth as well as being exceptionally hard-working and client focused. She is also a wonderful human being with solid ethics.” Dunkley makes time, too, to serve others. She has counseled law students through the Lawyers Assistance Program, and mentors students at Indiana University's Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She can also be found volunteering at local soup kitchens and participating in neighborhood clean-up days. “Sarah has set an excellent example for all international at- torneys that have the goal of practicing on substantive matters throughout state and federal courts in the United States with an LLM,” Kopczyk said.
40 Under Forty 2024
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CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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