Two Big Law firms with deep Chicago roots are leveraging the Democratic National Convention to highlight their practices and expand their client networks. Mayer Brown, established in Chicago in 1881, and Jenner & Block, rooted in the city since 1914, have been actively involved in various events throughout the convention week. Mayer Brown contributed to the convention’s host committee and sponsored events, including an Aug. 18 reception with Dewey Square at the Field Museum. Meanwhile, Jenner & Block organized a panel discussion featuring five state attorneys general, including Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Letitia James of New York.
Both firms see the convention as an opportunity to emphasize their public policy practices and strengthen political connections. Mayer Brown partner Joseph Seliga expressed that the firm’s presence at the convention underscores its substantive public policy work, with around 25 attorneys participating in convention-related events. Ann O’Leary, co-chair of Jenner & Block’s government controversies and public policy litigation group, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the firm aims to be “present and at the top of our game” through their hosted events and client interactions.
Lawyers and law firms, ranging from Big Law to plaintiff-side attorneys, frequently attend Democratic National Conventions to connect with politicians nationwide. Steve Caplan, a political strategist and educator at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, highlighted the importance of these conventions for building relationships that could potentially lead to judicial nominations. “It’s an important moment for law firms,” Caplan stated, emphasizing the relationship-building aspect of the convention.
Parallel activities were observed at the Republican National Committee’s convention, where Husch Blackwell co-hosted a lawyers reception in Milwaukee during the July convention.
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