40 Under Forty 2026

2026 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

“

Austin is an attorney who meets the definition for exceptional and continual zealous advocacy. ”

AUSTIN RAHE

AGE: 38 FIRM : Rock Fusco and Connelly, LLC LAW SCHOOL : University of Illinois Chicago School of Law/ John Marshall Law School

AREA(S) OF PRACTICE: Litigation

W hat sets Austin Rahe apart from other attorneys? Those who have worked with him point to Rahe's diligence, at- tention to detail, and leadership among other young attorneys and legal professionals. They also cite his legal knowledge and his commitment to his clients. These traits have helped Rahe become one of the most- respected young civil rights specialists in the Chicago legal community. During his young career, Rahe has earned several winning re- sults for his clients, including many civil rights case in the North- ern District of Illinois. “Austin is highly diligent and constantly provides his firm and clients with exceptional work,” said Michael Sorich, partner with Chicago's Cavanaugh Sorich Law Group. “Austin has a lot of talent.” Dan Cotter, member with the Chicago office of Aronberg Goldgehn, said that Rahe has become a go-to source for compa- nies and individuals seeking representation on civil rights issues and constitutional law. One example is when Rahe earned summary judgment for the Cook County Sheriff's Department, resulting in nearly a mil- lion dollars for a program so expectant and recent mother’s de- tained in the Cook County Jail would receive adequate care for themselves and their child.

“Austin is an attorney who meets the definition for exceptional and continual zealous advocacy,” Cotter said. “He gets results.” Ted McNabola, founding partner with Chicago's McNabola & Associates, refers to Rahe as a “lawyer's lawyer,” one who prac- tices the law with great integrity and always honors his profes- sion. McNabola said that Rahe practices law with vigor and is deeply committed to his clients. It's because of this combina- tion that Rahe has earned such a steady stream of legal victories during his still-young career, McNabola said. “He has carried himself with humility and grace,” McNabola said of Rahe. "Mr. Rahe is still young and his potential is through the roof." Peter Kramer, general counsel with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, said that Rahe inspires confidence in his clients. That's because of both the results that Rahe has earned during his career and his ability to quickly understand the needs of his clients and the fundamentals of their cases. Kramer points to Rahe's work assisting in the defense of two civil rights cases in which the Sheriff's Department was a defendant. “From written discovery through depositions, Austin provided top-level representation, securing favorable outcomes in both matters,” Kramer said. "Austin's diligence and attention to detail about each case provide clients with the confidence to know that they are being represented in their best interests.”

40 Under Forty 2026

CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN