Leonard Gail, one of Chicago’s top-ranked trial lawyers, talks litigation boutiques with Legal Business
Leonard Gail says firms like Massey & Gail are “basically becoming extinct” due to two trends: clients prioritizing specialization over trial skills, and fewer high-stakes cases going to trial because of the financial risks involved. Despite this, Massey & Gail has found a niche by “making otherwise complex ideas convincing to a court or jury.” Lenny also observes that boutique firms are increasingly being absorbed by larger ones, especially in a consolidating legal market like Chicago. Read the full article here.
Massey & Gail is proud to join over 500 firms in an amicus brief defending the legal system and the rule of law against the Trump Administration’s attack
Massey & Gail is proud to join over 500 firms in an amicus brief defending the legal system against the Trump Administration’s attack. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, analyzing Shakespeare’s famous line, “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers,” wrote that the Bard “insightfully realized that disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government.”
Congratulations to Leonard Gail and Paul Berks for their recognition in Legal 500’s inaugural US Elite rankings for Commercial Disputes
Leonard Gail and Paul Berks have been recognized for Commercial Disputes in Legal 500’s inaugural US Elite rankings. Congratulations to our partners. We would also like to thank our professional peers and wonderful clients for their invaluable insights that resulted in this honor. The Legal 500 US Elite rankings aim to highlight significant lawyers working at regional firms across the United States. This recognition highlights outstanding US lawyers who work outside of global elite firms, focusing on those at regional powerhouses who might be overlooked in other rankings. The US Elite rankings specifically emphasize lawyers engaged in high-profile work within their cities. The research process involves conducting interviews, gathering feedback from clients and peers, and documenting the key cases managed by the ranked attorneys over the past year.
Massey & Gail challenges New Jersey’s unclaimed property law
Jonathan Massey, Bret Vallacher, and Matthew Layden are assisting the class in challenging the New Jersey Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. They argue that the Act does not provide sufficient notice to class members before the destruction of unclaimed property. The property administrator currently holds an estimated $6 billion in unclaimed property, asserting that they are unable to reunite this property with its rightful owners. Read more here.
Massey & Gail recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s 2025 edition
We are thrilled to share that Massey & Gail has been named a “Recommended Firm” for Dispute Resolution in both Chicago and Washington, D.C. in the 2025 edition of Benchmark Litigation. This is the fourth year in a row the firm has been so honored! Additionally, three individual partners, Jonathan Massey, Lenny Gail, and Paul Berks have been recognized as Litigation Stars, while Suyash Agrawal has been acknowledged as a Future Star. Benchmark Litigation determines law firm and lawyer rankings through confidential client surveys and feedback.
Benchmark Litigation has recognized partners Kylie Kim and Bret Vallacher on the 40 & Under List
Massey & Gail is excited to announce that partners Kylie Kim and Bret Vallacher have been recognized on Benchmark Litigation’s US 2024 40 & Under List in the northeast as emerging talent. We sincerely thank our clients and peers for their support in this achievement. You can see the complete list here.
Suyash Agrawal appointed to Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Screening Committee
Massey & Gail Partner Suyash Agrawal has been appointed as one of 11 members of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham’s standing Judicial Screening Committee. The screening committee assesses the qualifications of candidates applying for appointments to the Circuit Court for Cook County and Appellate Court of Illinois, First District because of vacancies created by recent judicial retirements. Please read the announcement here.
Congratulations to Jonathan Massey and Leonard Gail
Teamwork is crucial for our success in handling litigation matters. We are thrilled that our team is recognized for outstanding work in the 2024 USA Chambers edition for Litigation General Commercial in IL. We also want to celebrate Jonathan Massey and Leonard Gail for their well-deserved rankings among other highly esteemed lawyers. Our clients’ trust means the world to us. As one wrote: “Massey & Gail is reliably capable and communicates effectively throughout the handling of matters.” Another praised our team as being “extremely thoughtful and practical,” highlighting our deep experience and responsiveness. We are so grateful for our clients’ continued support.
Massey & Gail prevails in challenge to $100 million retroactive tax
We represented McKesson in a successful constitutional challenge to a retroactive $100 million New York tax on 2017 opioid sales in the state. Read the Court’s decision here.
Massey & Gail wins TRO to enforce non-compete for BluSky Restoration Contractors
On short notice, a team of Massey & Gail lawyers successfully obtained a TRO on behalf of firm client, BluSky Restoration Contractors, in Delaware Chancery Court against the former head of its Chicago office. A truly team effort, senior associate Constance Grieves managed the matter on a day-to-day basis with partner Paul Berks spearheading the legal analysis and presenting oral argument. Other members of the team included Suyash Agrawal.