Lisa Duarte Joins Elite Chicago Law Firm, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres

Duarte will lead firm’s Government Affairs & Regulatory Law Practice as Equity Partner

February 23, 2021

CHICAGO – Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres, one of Chicago’s fastest growing new law firms, announced Lisa Duarte is joining as an attorney and equity partner leading the firm’s government affairs and public law practice.

“I have spent my career at the intersection of law and government and after two rewarding years at the Governor’s Office, I am returning to my roots as an attorney to join a firm committed to women and diversity – while working on projects benefitting the future of Chicago,” said Duarte.

Lisa most recently served as the First Assistant Deputy Governor for Budget & Economy in the JB Pritzker Administration. In this role, Lisa oversaw 15 agencies involving budget, economy, economic development, and regulation. While working for the State, Lisa served as the primary point of contact for the business community.

“Lisa was an invaluable member of my administration from day one. With her expansive knowledge in law, business and government, I knew I could always turn to her for new and innovative ideas to get big things done. I am proud to have had her on our team and I look forward to cheering on her successes in this new chapter,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

Prior to joining the Pritzker administration, Lisa was a Partner in the Government Affairs practice group at a boutique Chicago law firm, where she served a diverse client base on a broad set of legislative and regulatory issues in Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County.

“Our philosophy is lawyers should be more than just lawyers. Our team serves as trusted advisors to our clients and Lisa’s experience and leadership in the public and private sector will continue to inform how we approach our work,” said Patrick Croke, one of the firm’s founding partners.

Lisa also worked with the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office where she served as Legislative Counsel to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel representing the City of Chicago before the Illinois General Assembly, state agencies, and executive offices. She then advanced to the dual role of Chief of Staff to former Deputy Mayor Steve Koch and Chief of Staff to the Mayor’s Economic Council.

Prior to the Emanuel administration, she practiced law at a small business services firm where she focused on employment law, commercial litigation, construction law, and zoning and land use.

On December 1, 2019, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres’ four founding partners launched the firm with a vision to create a structure and culture to allow the firm’s lawyers to apply their energy and talents to what matters most – the client. Its government affairs and public law practice includes public policy and regulatory advocacy, crisis management, procurement and government contracts and public-private partnerships.

The firm is rapidly growing – in staff, clients and revenue – proving talented lawyers, many of whom have roots in Big Law, can successfully operate within a model that treats clients as relationships and partnerships, not as matters and cases.

About Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres

Our lawyers are trusted advisors and counselors valued for their legal skill, intellectual curiosity and commitment to forging pragmatic solutions. We have practiced and trained at some of the world’s most prestigious firms and have worked on the most cutting-edge and complex matters. We believe that our structure and our culture allow our lawyers to apply their energy and talents to what matters most – the client. For more information visit crokefairchild.com