Women in Law 2024

2024

Law Institute, a recognition of her deep commitment to improving the law and promoting the administration of justice. For ten years, Gretchen served on the Character and Fitness Committee of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court. Gretchen authored four chapters in Civil Appeals: State and Federal (2022) published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and is a contributing author and commentator for various media outlets, including Bloomberg Law, Law360 , and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin . She also was an adjunct professor at two Chicago law schools teaching Appellate Advocacy. Gretchen is also an active member of the organized bar. A Past President of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, she is now Chair of the ABA’s Council of Appellate Lawyers, a national bench- bar organization dedicated to collegiality and the development of appellate practice. In this role, she will enhance professional development for appellate lawyers and judges across the country through initiatives like the annual Appellate Judges Education Institute (AJEI) Summit. Gretchen’s career reflects her dedication to legal excellence and her passion for advocacy, making her a respected leader in appellate law and a valuable resource to her clients and the legal community alike. She has been awarded the Best Lawyers in America distinction in Appellate Practice and has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a “Notable Woman in Law” and a “Notable Gen-X Leader in Law.” But her most cherished role is being a mother to her 15-year- old son, Charlie. GRETCHEN HARRIS SPERRY CO-CHAIR, NATIONAL APPELLATE PRACTICE GROUP Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP

G retchen Harris Sperry serves as Co-Chair of the National Appellate Practice Group at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani. Known for her proficiency in drafting and arguing high- stakes motions and appeals, Gretchen represents clients in state and federal reviewing courts across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Her foundation in appellate law was shaped by her experience as a former judicial clerk to Justice Mary Jane Theis and Justice Maureen Connors on the Illinois Appellate Court. It was there that she developed her robust analytical skills and deep passion for writing. Today, she is increasingly called upon to apply those skills while serving as embedded appellate counsel at trial. She uses her unique perspective to develop trial and appellate strategy in complex, high- exposure cases in various areas of law, including catastrophic injury cases, mass torts, constitutional law, commercial litigation, and labor and employment disputes. Gretchen’s practice also extends to the unique challenges that arise at the intersection of law, politics, and government. She has a long history of serving as a court-appointed Special Assistant State’s Attorney, representing elected officials and government agencies in constitutional and employment matters. She also advises private sector clients on legislative and compliance-related issues, helping them understand how emerging legislation and regulatory obligations may impact their business. Gretchen is dedicated to serving the legal community in a variety of ways. She was recently elected as a Member of the American

WOMEN IN LAW 2024