Congratulations to an extraordinary law firm on an exceptional hire.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
By Community Contributor RANDALL SAMBORN
CHICAGO – Massey & Gail LLP, a high-powered boutique law firm in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, announced today that Cara A. Hendrickson, formerly chief of the Public Interest Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, has joined the firm as a partner in Chicago. Ms. Hendrickson was the state’s lead attorney in negotiating and securing court approval earlier this year of the consent decree mandating sweeping reforms in the Chicago Police Department.
The addition of Ms. Hendrickson comes only months after the firm welcomed a veteran federal government attorney, Matthew M. Collette, in the firm’s Washington office and former Illinois Solicitor General David Franklin in Chicago. Mr. Collette joined as a partner last fall after a 30-year career in the U.S. Department of Justice, during which he served as deputy director of the Appellate Staff in the Civil Division and senior counsel to the Associate Attorney General. Mr. Franklin, who supervised more than 40 appellate lawyers representing the State of Illinois in civil and criminal appeals, became affiliated with the firm this month.
Ms. Hendrickson, an acclaimed litigator, left the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at the end of March after more than five years as a key member of the senior leadership team under former Attorney General Lisa Madigan and current Attorney General Kwame Raoul. As chief of the Public Interest Division, Ms. Hendrickson supervised more than 60 attorneys and staff in seven bureaus: antitrust, civil rights, disability rights, public utilities, special litigation, tobacco enforcement, and workplace rights. All of these units investigate and litigate cases involving serious or persistent violations of state and federal laws.
“I am delighted to join Massey & Gail and look forward to helping grow and manage the firm, while participating in high-stakes litigation and developing my own practice,” Ms. Hendrickson said.
“Cara Hendrickson could have chosen to join just about any law firm of substance and would have been considered a significant addition. We are thrilled that she is bringing her tremendous talent to Massey & Gail and to our clients,” Leonard A. Gail, the firm’s co-founder, said.
Co-founder, Jonathan S. Massey, said: “The addition of Cara in Chicago following Matt’s arrival in our DC office further deepens the expertise that we provide our clients. We’re able to have senior lawyers with unparalleled experience directly engage with our clients to resolve their business and legal issues.”
Following a U.S. Justice Department investigation, Ms. Hendrickson led a team of lawyers and experts that filed a civil and constitutional rights lawsuit on behalf of the State of Illinois against the City of Chicago seeking structural reform of the police department. Ensuing litigation and negotiations led to adoption of a 229-page consent decree, outreach to dozens of community groups, and selection and implementation of an independent monitor.
Ms. Hendrickson also supervised and negotiated resolution of alleged violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act in a multi-billion-dollar gas main replacement program, resulting in an $18.5 million payment for Illinois utility customers. She also played a leading role in many other investigations and cases involving the False Claims Act, consumer fraud, and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. At the same time, she had supervisory responsibilities involving legislative initiatives, policy, and inter-governmental relations.
“The breadth of my work for the Attorney General really steeped me with experience in innumerable areas of complexity, including antitrust, constitutional, communications and energy, false claims, and consumer fraud. I am excited to bring that experience to the table for my clients,” Ms. Hendrickson said.
“Cara’s time in private practice and her high-level government service provide the perfect combination of experience to best serve our clients. Our firm promotes an entrepreneurial culture that will allow Cara and her practice to thrive,” Mr. Gail said.
A former law clerk to retired Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ann C. Williams, Ms. Hendrickson earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude from Northwestern University and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School. She is a past fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago, and a board member of Public Interest Law Initiative and the Chicago Chapter of the American Constitution Society, which bestowed her with its Ruth Goldman Award in 2018.
Massey & Gail LLP, founded in 2008, is dedicated to providing clients, including many of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated corporations, with the highest quality legal services -from strategic advice to regulatory work and trial and appellate litigation. With offices in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, the 20-lawyer firm offers clients a varied, seasoned, and talented team of litigators and counselors with experience spanning U.S. Supreme Court and appellate advocacy, civil and criminal trial work, regulatory issues, and executive level in-house advice and counsel. For more information, please visit: https://www.masseygail.com.