JESSICA B. FAIRCHILD 
Partner


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 (see the list in the sidebar).

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.  In addition, she is an angel investor and limited partner in various organizations and funds which support women founders.

Jessica received her J.D. in 2000 from The University of Chicago Law School, where she graduated with high honors and her B.S. in Accounting in 1997 from the University of Illinois, where she was recognized on the Bronze Tablet. Jessica also played four years of competitive tennis at the University of Illinois.

Jessica serves on the Firm’s Management Committee and the Office of General Counsel.

Jessica Fairchild

Office: 773-454-8018

PRACTICE AREAS

EDUCATION

  • The University of Chicago Law School, J.D. with High Honors
  • University of Illinois, B.S. (Accounting)

ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois

Awards and Recognitions

  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Women in Law.
  • Recognized in 2023 Women in Law Awards, by Law Bulletin Media & Chicago Lawyer Magazine.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Women in Law.
  • Women’s Bar Foundation, Reach Back and Rise Up Award, 2022.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2021 Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business annual 40 under 40 list, 2009.

Civic and Public Service

  • Executive Council of Advisors, Executives’ Club of Chicago, 2023
  • Member, Board of Directors, Gorton Community Center, 2021 to Present.
  • Co-Chair of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ mentor/mentee committee – 2022 to Present.
  • Member, Board of Directors, Girls in the Game, 2010 to 2014.
Jessica Fairchild

JESSICA B. FAIRCHILD 
Partner


Office:  773-454-8018

PRACTICE AREAS

EDUCATION

  • The University of Chicago Law School, J.D. with High Honors
  • University of Illinois, B.S. (Accounting)

ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois

Awards and Recognitions

  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Women in Law.
  • Recognized in 2023 Women in Law Awards, by Law Bulletin Media & Chicago Lawyer Magazine.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Women in Law.
  • Women’s Bar Foundation, Reach Back and Rise Up Award, 2022.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2021 Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law.
  • Named to Crain’s Chicago Business annual 40 under 40 list, 2009.

Civic and Public Service

  • Executive Council of Advisors, Executives’ Club of Chicago, 2023
  • Member, Board of Directors, Gorton Community Center, 2021 to Present.
  • Co-Chair of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ mentor/mentee committee – 2022 to Present.
  • Member, Board of Directors, Girls in the Game, 2010 to 2014.

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 (see list above).

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.  In addition, she is an angel investor and limited partner in various organizations and funds which support women founders.

Jessica received her J.D. in 2000 from The University of Chicago Law School, where she graduated with high honors and her B.S. in Accounting in 1997 from the University of Illinois, where she was recognized on the Bronze Tablet. Jessica also played four years of competitive tennis at the University of Illinois.

Jessica serves on the Firm’s Management Committee and the Office of General Counsel.