Trial counsel · Chicago & New York
Halbrook & Vane is a trial firm for companies and individuals in consequential disputes. Eleven partners, one standard: be the most prepared person in the room — from the first preservation letter to the last word to the jury.
Trials to verdict since 1998
Aggregate recovered for clients
Matters resolved before trial
Partners. No leverage pyramid.
01 — The Practice
Most disputes are won or lost in the first ninety days — in how the file is built, how the story is framed, and whether the other side believes you will actually try the case. We work backwards from that day.
Our clients are public companies, closely held businesses, funds, and individuals drawn into fights that threaten something structural: a transaction, a franchise, a license, a reputation. We keep partner-to-client ratios deliberately small, staff leanly, and write everything as if it will be read aloud in a courtroom — because eventually, it usually is.
Practice 01
Contract, fraud, and trade-secret disputes with nine-figure exposure and documents measured in millions of pages. We build the record early and pressure-test every theory before the other side finishes its complaint.
Discuss a matterPractice 02
Derivative claims, books-and-records demands, M&A earn-out fights, and board-level investigations. We speak fluent Delaware and we have sat on both sides of the special committee table.
Discuss a matterPractice 03
The first seventy-two hours decide the next three years. We run internal investigations, manage regulator contact, and hold the line on privilege when the pressure to improvise is highest.
Discuss a matter"They read the room, the record, and the judge — in that order. We walked in expecting a two-year fight and walked out with a settlement in eleven weeks."
02 — Selected Matters
Defense of a regional carrier in a $340M contract dispute
Dismissed at summary judgment
2026
Special committee investigation, Nasdaq-listed manufacturer
No enforcement action
2025
Trade-secret and non-compete trial, private equity portfolio company
Jury verdict for client
2025
Earn-out dispute following a $1.2B software acquisition
Resolved pre-filing
2024
Books-and-records and fiduciary claims, family-owned distributor
Settled on client's terms
2024
03 — From the Journal
Essay · 12 min
It is not a formality. It is the first exhibit of the case you will be defending three years from now.
Read the essayNote · 6 min
Why scope objections are getting narrower, and what boards should be doing on Monday morning.
Read the noteField guide · 9 min
A checklist for general counsel who have just heard a sentence they cannot unhear.
Read the guideConsultations · By appointment
Tell us the shape of the problem. A partner will respond within one business day — usually with more questions than answers, at first.
Request a consultation Download the firm résumé