2026 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
“
COLLEEN CAVANAGH She has achieved results that many litigators spend decades striving to attain. ”
AGE: 32 FIRM : Esbrook, P.C. LAW SCHOOL : DePaul University
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE: College of Law Commercial litigation
D uring her legal career, Colleen Cavanagh has embraced the high-pressure assignments that many young attor- neys spend years waiting to tackle. Whether preparing expert witnesses for trial, arguing substantive motions in federal court or uncovering overlooked documents that change the course of a lawsuit, this 32-year-old commercial litigator has developed a reputation for meticulous preparation and practi- cal problem-solving. Now an attorney with Esbrook P.C. in Chicago, Cavanagh draws on experience gained at two of the nation's largest law firms. After graduating from DePaul University College of Law and serving as a judicial extern for Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael T. Mullen, Cavanagh joined Winston & Strawn be- fore moving to Kirkland & Ellis, where she practiced from 2021 through 2024. She joined Esbrook in September of 2024. During those years, Cavanagh worked on complex litigation across state and federal courts in Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey and Florida. Early in her career at Winston, she represent- ed DePaul University in litigation stemming from the school's transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. After briefing the dismissal motion and assisting during oral ar- guments, the court dismissed the proposed class action, finding the defense arguments persuasive. “Colleen Cavanagh is precisely the type of attorney this award was created to recognize: accomplished, principled,
client-focused, and already shaping the future of the Illinois bar,” said Matthew Tully of Chicago’s Tully & Associates. “She has achieved results that many litigators spend decades striving to attain. At Kirkland & Ellis, Cavanagh gained extensive trial experience as part of the defense team representing 3M in two bellweth- er trials within one of the nation's largest multidistrict litigation matters. She prepared pretrial motions, motions in limine and jury instructions while also preparing a key medical expert for testimony and serving as second chair during two days of trial testimony. Both cases ended with unanimous defense verdicts. Her multidistrict litigation work also included representing Sanderson Farms in antitrust litigation and Syngenta in product liability matters. “A vital part of Colleen’s practice is seeking the most efficient and effective results for her clients, particularly when that re- quires her to think outside the box,” said Tim Cavanagh with Chicago’s Cavanagh Sorich Law Group. At Esbrook, Cavanagh represents a large corporation defend- ing claims under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, successfully preserving key affirmative defenses and managing significant portions of discovery. She also currently represents a father and son in their pursuit of FTCA claims against the Unit- ed States stemming from their separation at the United States border while seeking asylum.
24 40 Under Forty 2026 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
Powered by FlippingBook