40 Under Forty 2026

2026 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

“

She's thinking through angles that never crossed anyone else's mind. ”

LAUREN RANKINS

AGE: 36 FIRM : Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP LAW SCHOOL : University of Illinois Chicago School of Law/ John Marshall Law School

AREA(S) OF PRACTICE: Construction litigation

L auren Rankins delivers exceptional results for her clients. She's never outworked. Plus, she's an expert in the intrica- cies of construction law. Because of this, Rankins has become a go-to source for con- struction industry professionals seeking legal advice and repre- sentation. Her legal skills and work ethic have helped her build a thriving construction litigation practice at the young age of 36. What's an example of Rankins' skill? She recently served as lead trial counsel for an owner in an American Arbitration Association construction matter. Rankins secured a multi-week evidentiary hearing win and an interim award of more than $5 million plus attorneys' fees. Results like these have resulted in a string of satisfied clients. Consider Alex Leighton, partner at Evanston, Illinois-based Greenlight Design Partners. He hired Rankins to help him as he was starting his construction business. He's more than satisfied with Rankins' work. “I was immediately struck by her high level of competence and expertise,” Leighton said. “I had recently met about a doz- en attorneys and Lauren stood out as a class of her own. All questions I had were answered with ease all requests were delivered earlier than expected and at a higher level of polish

than anticipated. I wish even 10% of people I worked with were as good as Lauren.” Count Ronald O'Neal, general counsel with IHC Construction Companies in Elgin, as another satisfied client. He points to a case in which he witnessed Rankins prevail in which legal prec- edent was not in her client's favor. “She shows up confident, prepared, focused and deter- mined,” O'Neal said. “Her courtroom presence was poised then, and she has in all my subsequent interactions with her, always been so. Her ability to prevail in a matter that was not in her favor paved the way for my company's retention of her legal acumen. She has always represented us with excellence and dedication.” Javier Enciso, president of ENC Construction & Develop- ment, said that his company has worked with several law firms. It is rare, though, to meet someone with the legal knowledge, work ethic and presence of Rankins, he said. Enciso said that ENC Construction & Development is work- ing with Rankins on a large case. He's watched as she's built what he calls an “incredibly strong” position for his company. “She's thinking through angles that never crossed anyone else's mind,” Enciso said.

62 40 Under Forty 2026 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN