Patrick Croke and Jessica Fairchild Named Notable M&A Dealmakers by Crain’s Chicago

August 18, 2025  

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC (CFDB) is thrilled to announce that Crain’s Chicago Business has selected Partners Patrick Croke and Jessica Fairchild for its 2025 Notable M&A Dealmakers list. The list recognizes Chicago dealmakers who are essential to navigating the complexities of mergers and acquisitions in Chicago and across the country.

Patrick is CEO, management committee co-chair, and a founding partner of CFDB, which includes over 100 lawyers in 14 states. Patrick advises Fortune 500 companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, with a particular focus on complex M&A transactions and business counseling. Outside his practice, he serves on the board of Urban Initiatives, a Chicago non-profit leveraging the power of sport to empower youth to achieve academic success.

Jessica is president, management committee co-chair, and a founding partner of CFDB. Jessica co-leads the firm’s Corporate/M&A practice and counsels founders, boards, private equity sponsors, family enterprises, and corporations on their most strategic transactions. For her achievements and dedication to advancing women in the legal profession, Jessica was previously named a Crain’s Chicago Notable Woman in Law and a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Woman of Influence.

These Crain’s Notable M&A Dealmakers recognitions are the latest acknowledgment of the firm’s top-tier advising and exceptional service on market-moving deals. CFDB’s M&A group was once again ranked by Chambers and Partners in 2025 as a Band 5 leading provider of Corporate/M&A & Private Equity services in Illinois, and Jessica was ranked in Band 4 for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity.

View the complete list of Crain’s Notable M&A Dealmakers here.