Jessica Fairchild has established a reputation as a thoughtful, practical advisor who provides business-focused solutions for her clients. As the Co-Chair of the Firm’s Management Committee, the Firm’s President and a partner at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC, Jessica is able to serve the role of lawyer, law firm leader, women’s advocate and entrepreneur. Jessica co-founded Croke Fairchild in 2019, after having worked in several other law firms which she founded and managed. Over her 23-year legal career, Jessica’s principal legal focus
has been on corporate, mergers and acquisitions and governance matters, where she counsels founders, boards, private equity sponsors, family enterprises and corporations on their most strategic transactions. Jessica’s focus on building relationships and her client-centered approach has helped her garner many long-term clients whom she has worked with on M&A matters and beyond, including as general counsel for their growing organizations.

Jessica has frequently been recognized as one of Chicago’s top women lawyers, including being recognized in Crains’ Chicago Business’ 2024 Notable Women in Law. From 2007 to 2009, Jessica served as General Counsel to Chicago 2016, the non-profit and civic organization that led Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In that role, Jessica was a direct advisor to the board of directors and senior management and oversaw all legal aspects for the organization which had over 200 employees and staff. She also worked closely with the chief legal officers of the City of Chicago and the United States Olympic Committee.

Prior to that, she was a corporate attorney at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago where her work focused on M&A, corporate, governance and securities matters. Jessica is passionate about developing other attorneys, and is involved in mentoring and assisting women both at the
Firm and outside of the Firm.