The Big-Law Boutique

Meet Our Team

Fox Swibel is Chicago’s leading boutique business law firm. We focus on what the Firm does best: provide “big-law” quality work in a streamlined boutique setting. We value long-lasting relationships and continually evolve our services to meet our clients’ needs.

The Firm recruits top lawyers who were educated at the nation’s best law schools and who formerly were partners and associates at nationally-known, highly-respected large firms. Our attorneys have the entrepreneurial determination to deliver first-rate creative business solutions with a cost-effective approach.

Fox Swibel is the only boutique U.S. firm selected for membership in The Interlex Group, an association of leading law firms around the world which has received Chambers’ highest “Band 1 – Elite” ranking. One of our founding partners serves as the President of Interlex, and our leadership role in the organization affords us close relationships with leading law firms in 60 countries.

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Illinois Supreme Court Blocks Forced Disclosure of Employer Investigations

Financial Investment Firm’s Misclassification Leads to Kick in Assets

2022 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Welcome Katherine A. Attebery

Jean Wine Elected to Board of Chicagoland AGC

Fox Swibel Makes Three New Promotions

2022 Ushers in Sweeping Restrictions on Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreements

Fox Swibel Welcomes Two New Additions

N. Neville Reid Selected as Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy

Best Law Firms® 2022

Best Lawyers in America© 2022

Fox Swibel is proud to announce that ten attorneys have been named in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, the oldest, most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.

Jean Wine Elected President of Chicago Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction

We are pleased to share with you the official launch of the Chicago Chapter of Professional Women in Construction. Please join us in congratulating our very own Jean Wine, President and founding member of the Chicago Chapter.

Illinois Bias Law Now Covers Criminal Convictions

Illinois employers now have yet another law to navigate. The state human rights statute now bans discrimination based on a candidate’s or employee’s criminal conviction unless the employer can show a “substantial relationship” exists between the conviction and the job or that the employment would involve an “unreasonable risk” to property or safety.

Our Response to Recent Events

Fox Swibel is deeply saddened and disturbed by the murder last week of eight people, six of whom were Asian Americans, in a spree of mass shootings targeting Asian American-owned businesses in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Our hearts go out to all their families and friends, as well as to everyone else affected by these heinous crimes.

Lack of Secrecy Dooms Employer’s Suit to Stop Form Sales Reps’ Use of Customer Lists

The Illinois Trade Secrets Act (ITSA) prohibits misappropriation of trade secrets and allows recovery of attorneys’ fees in suits to enforce the Act. A recent decision by the Appellate Court of Illinois is a cautionary tale for employers wanting to protect customer lists and other information.

Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Religious Ministerial Exemption

We’ve written about court decisions applying judicial doctrines under the First Amendment to bar some types of employment claims against religious entities. The Illinois Supreme Court has now weighed in.

Illinois Supreme Court Confirms Retaliatory Discharge Applies Only to At-Will Employees

More than 40 years ago, the Illinois Supreme Court first recognized the tort of retaliatory discharge as an exception to the general rule that an “at-will” employee is terminable at any time and for any or no cause. Now, the court for the first time has confirmed such claims don’t cover the nonrenewal of a fixed-term contract.

Illinois Supreme Court Blocks Forced Disclosure of Employer Investigations

Sophisticated employers are acutely aware of their obligation to investigate promptly upon receiving a sexual harassment report. But what happens if the accused denies any wrongdoing and responds by demanding to know who made the allegations for purposes of filing a defamation suit against them?

Financial Investment Firm’s Misclassification Leads to Kick in Assets

One area of employment law that remains a trap for the unwary is determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee. A recent Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) ruling by a state appellate court is a cautionary tale to those who misclassify employees as contractors.

2022 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce that over one third of our partners have been selected to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list, and four attorneys have been selected to the 2022 Illinois Rising Stars list.

Welcome Katherine A. Attebery

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce that Katherine A. Attebery has joined the firm as a partner in the Banking & Corporate Finance Group.

Jean Wine Elected to Board of Chicagoland AGC

Fox Swibel congratulates Jean Wine on her election to the Board of Directors of Chicagoland Associated General Contractors.

Fox Swibel Makes Three New Promotions

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce the promotion of Jean Gallo Wine to Capital Partner.  We are also pleased to announce the promotions of Scott Schonfeld and Steve Vanderporten to Partner.

2022 Ushers in Sweeping Restrictions on Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreements

For those employers looking to think, talk and worry about something besides COVID-19, we have just the topic: the Illinois Freedom to Work Act.

Fox Swibel Welcomes Two New Additions

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce the addition of Anna Boshardy and Leslie Schafer de Ochoa.  Anna is an associate in the Litigation Group, and Leslie is a partner in the Banking & Corporate Finance Group.

N. Neville Reid Selected as Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce that N. Neville Reid has been selected as one of 37 Fellows in the 33rd Class of the American College of Bankruptcy (ACB).

Best Law Firms® 2022

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce the Firm has been ranked among the 2022 Best Law Firms® by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®.  Firms included in the Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

Best Lawyers in America© 2022

Fox Swibel is proud to announce that ten attorneys have been named in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, the oldest, most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.

Jean Wine Elected President of Chicago Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction

We are pleased to share with you the official launch of the Chicago Chapter of Professional Women in Construction. Please join us in congratulating our very own Jean Wine, President and founding member of the Chicago Chapter.

Fox Swibel Welcomes Two New Associates

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce the addition of Elizabeth Haynes and Richard S. Wilson.  Elizabeth is an associate in the Corporate & Securities and Tax Groups, and Richard is an associate in the Construction Law Group.

Fox Swibel’s Construction Law Practice and Partners Daniel Dorfman and Jean Wine Recognized by Chambers USA 2021

Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP is very pleased to announce the Firm was named as one of the top construction law firms in the United States by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, one of the most highly regarded annual rankings of law firms and attorneys worldwide.

Martin Carroll Featured in Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Strategic Alliance Partner Spotlight

Fox Swibel is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Managing Partner, Martin Carroll, has been featured in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Strategic Alliance Partner Spotlight!

Illinois Bias Law Now Covers Criminal Convictions

Illinois employers now have yet another law to navigate. The state human rights statute now bans discrimination based on a candidate’s or employee’s criminal conviction unless the employer can show a “substantial relationship” exists between the conviction and the job or that the employment would involve an “unreasonable risk” to property or safety.

Our Response to Recent Events

Fox Swibel is deeply saddened and disturbed by the murder last week of eight people, six of whom were Asian Americans, in a spree of mass shootings targeting Asian American-owned businesses in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Our hearts go out to all their families and friends, as well as to everyone else affected by these heinous crimes.

Lack of Secrecy Dooms Employer’s Suit to Stop Form Sales Reps’ Use of Customer Lists

The Illinois Trade Secrets Act (ITSA) prohibits misappropriation of trade secrets and allows recovery of attorneys’ fees in suits to enforce the Act. A recent decision by the Appellate Court of Illinois is a cautionary tale for employers wanting to protect customer lists and other information.

Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Religious Ministerial Exemption

We’ve written about court decisions applying judicial doctrines under the First Amendment to bar some types of employment claims against religious entities. The Illinois Supreme Court has now weighed in.

Illinois Supreme Court Confirms Retaliatory Discharge Applies Only to At-Will Employees

More than 40 years ago, the Illinois Supreme Court first recognized the tort of retaliatory discharge as an exception to the general rule that an “at-will” employee is terminable at any time and for any or no cause. Now, the court for the first time has confirmed such claims don’t cover the nonrenewal of a fixed-term contract.