What Dispute Are You Facing?
We take on high-stakes business and commercial litigation across Illinois. Select your matter for a confidential assessment.
⚖️ 300+ Cases Tried to Verdict 📞 Free Case Assessment — (312) 555-0193
Litigators Built for the Courtroom
Many firms call themselves litigators. Few actually try cases. Hawthorne & Reed was founded by trial lawyers Gregory Hawthorne and Nadia Reed on a contrarian belief: that the surest path to a great result is genuine readiness to win in front of a jury.
For 26 years, that philosophy has driven more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements across 300+ cases tried to verdict. Opponents know we prepare every matter for trial from day one — which is precisely why so many of them choose to settle on our clients' terms. When your business, your reputation, or your future is on the line, you want the firm the other side would rather not face.
- ✓300+ cases tried to verdict in 26 years
- ✓$400M+ recovered for business clients
- ✓Every case prepared for trial from day one
- ✓Free, confidential case assessment
Our Approach to High-Stakes Litigation
Great trial results aren't luck. They come from a disciplined method we apply to every case.
Master the Facts
We learn your business and your dispute more thoroughly than the other side ever will. Preparation is our edge.
Build for Trial
From the first day, we build the case a jury will hear — which is exactly what forces favorable settlements.
Control the Narrative
We frame the story of your case clearly and compellingly, in filings, in depositions, and in the courtroom.
Never Blink
When opponents test our resolve, they find none to exploit. We are always prepared to take it all the way.
Facing a high-stakes dispute? The sooner we're involved, the more we can shape the outcome. Request a free, confidential case assessment today.
Verdicts and Settlements That Move the Needle
Our record isn't a collection of easy wins. It's built on complex, hard-fought disputes where the outcome was genuinely in doubt — and where thorough preparation and courtroom skill made the difference.
We've won eight-figure verdicts for wronged business owners, defeated meritless claims that threatened companies' survival, and recovered fortunes lost to fraud and broken contracts. Every result reflects the same commitment: to fight for the best possible outcome, all the way to the courthouse steps and beyond.
- ✓Eight-figure verdicts in business disputes
- ✓Meritless claims defeated at trial
- ✓Fortunes recovered from fraud and breach
What Our Clients Say
When a former partner tried to seize control of the company I built, Hawthorne & Reed took the case to trial and won decisively. They out-prepared and out-argued a firm three times their size. Extraordinary trial lawyers.
A seven-figure contract breach threatened to sink my business. This team built an airtight case and secured a settlement that made us whole and then some. Relentless, brilliant, and worth every penny.
Other firms told me my fraud claim was too complex to win. Hawthorne & Reed disagreed — and proved it in front of a jury. They recovered everything I'd lost and held the wrongdoers accountable.
How Your Case Begins
From your first confidential call to a resolution, we keep you informed and in command of the strategy.
Free Assessment
We review your dispute in a confidential consultation and give you an honest, strategic read on your position.
Case Strategy
We map the path to the best outcome and a clear plan — building for trial while pursuing every advantage.
Aggressive Advocacy
We litigate relentlessly, leveraging our trial readiness to drive favorable settlements or courtroom victories.
Resolution
Whether by settlement or verdict, we fight for the full value of your case and the accountability you deserve.
When to Call a Trial Lawyer
High-stakes disputes reward early, decisive action. These are the signs it's time to bring in trial counsel.
A contract was broken and you're owed real money
Significant breach-of-contract losses are exactly the disputes we're built to litigate and win.
A business partner is acting against you
Freeze-outs, self-dealing, and shareholder disputes require decisive legal action to protect your stake.
You've been defrauded
When someone has cheated you or your business, we build the case to recover your losses and hold them accountable.
You're being sued and your business is at risk
A serious claim can threaten everything you've built. Strong defense starts the moment you're served.
A professional's negligence cost you
When an accountant, broker, or advisor's failure caused real harm, you may have a claim worth pursuing.
Your current firm won't try the case
If your lawyers are only prepared to settle, you may be leaving value — and leverage — on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you actually try cases, or just settle them?
We genuinely try cases — 300+ to verdict in 26 years. That trial readiness is our clients' greatest asset, because opponents settle on far better terms when they know we're prepared to win in front of a jury.
How much does litigation cost?
It depends on the complexity and stakes of your dispute. We offer several fee arrangements — hourly, contingency, and hybrid — and we'll discuss the right structure for your case transparently at your free assessment.
Is my first consultation confidential?
Completely. Your initial case assessment is free and protected by attorney-client confidentiality, so you can share the full picture and get a candid read on your position with no risk.
How long does commercial litigation take?
Complex business disputes can take a year or more, though many resolve sooner through settlement. At your assessment, we'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific matter and keep you updated throughout.
I'm being sued. Can you defend me?
Yes. We handle both sides of high-stakes commercial disputes. If you've been served, contact us immediately — the early days of a case often shape its entire trajectory.
What size cases do you take?
We focus on significant business and commercial disputes where trial-caliber advocacy makes a real difference. If you're unsure whether your matter fits, ask us — the assessment is free.
The Lawyers the Other Side Would Rather Not Face
If you're facing a high-stakes business dispute, don't settle for lawyers who only settle. Request a free, confidential case assessment from a firm that's ready to win in the courtroom.
Tell Us About Your Dispute
Share the details of your matter and a Hawthorne & Reed trial attorney will respond within one business day to discuss your options.