40 Under Forty 2026

2026 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH

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Clients benefit from his forward- thinking advice that accounts for both legal risks and real-world governmental realities. ”

DEANDRE TILLMAN

AGE: 39 FIRM : Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd. LAW SCHOOL : DePaul University College of Law AREA(S) OF PRACTICE: Municipal law, labor and employment, real estate, probate, election law

D eAndre Tillman has built his legal career around what he considers a simple truth: Effective legal counsel and effec- tive public service are closely connected. As senior counsel at Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd., Tillman advises municipalities, school districts and other public bodies on matters ranging from municipal governance and labor issues to election law, litigation, real estate and pro- bate. At the same time, he has spent nearly a decade serving the community where he was born and raised as Calumet City's 3rd Ward alderman. “DeAndre brings a rare combination of sophisticated legal analysis, practical municipal governance experience and strate- gic problem-solving,” said Ashonta Rice, attorney with Arlington Heights, Illinois’ Park Gold Group. “He does not simply identify legal issues. He develops actionable, defensible solutions that clients can realistically execute in politically and operationally complex environments.” Tillman's experience as an elected official often informs his le- gal work. He has advised municipalities on governance disputes, Open Meetings Act compliance, labor negotiations and statuto- ry authority, helping clients correct procedural problems while strengthening their long-term legal positions. Colleagues say he has a gift for translating complicated legal concepts into practi- cal guidance that elected officials and administrators can readily understand and implement.

“Clients benefit from his forward-thinking advice that ac- counts for both legal risks and real-world governmental reali- ties,” said Chime Asonye, executive director of Nigerian Mental Health. “He is highly effective at translating complex legal con- cepts into clear, actionable guidance.” Outside the office, Tillman was first elected alderman in 2017. He has since won re-election twice, most recently in 2025. He chairs the city's Ordinances and Resolutions Committee while serving on its Finance and Permits and Licenses committees. His work in this role includes helping guide Calumet City through a difficult financial period after he took office, when the city faced a $2 million budget deficit. Working with fellow elected officials, he supported new revenue initiatives, spend- ing controls and other measures that helped restore the city's financial footing. He has also organized career fairs, back-to-school events, financial assistance workshops and regular town hall meetings designed to strengthen communication between residents and local government while advocating for infrastructure improve- ments and expanded economic opportunities throughout the south suburbs. “Not only does he take his work at the law firm very seriously, it's also important to him that he gives back to his community and works to make things better for everyone,” said Marlowe Marsh, counsel for McDonald’s. “A very admirable trait.”

40 Under Forty 2026

CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN