Hinshaw Bolsters Government and Administrative Affairs Practice with Seasoned Litigator in Chicago

Jorge V. Cazares, a seasoned litigator with more than 25 years of litigation experience, has joined the U.S. law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP as a partner in Chicago. Formerly a director and partner with Pugh, Jones & Johnson, Cazares has a broad base of complex commercial and general litigation experience across multiple industries in state and federal courts.

“Jorge brings a strong and diverse set of practice skills, representing companies in various industries on a broad array of litigation and compliance matters,” said Richard S. Porter, who leads Hinshaw’s Government practice. “He has a proven track record in and out of the court room and brings additional depth to our capabilities in federal and state courts.”

Cazares provides advice and counsel to companies on various matters, including contract and business disputes, employment issues, commercial litigation, civil rights defense, products liability, labor disputes and arbitration. He has also conducted several high-level internal investigations for both public and private entities, tried several jury and bench trials to verdict, and has also argued cases before the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Illinois Court of Appeals. Hinshaw’s global platform, along with the firm’s depth and client diversity are key among the reasons Cazares decided to join the firm. He also plans to actively participate in Hinshaw’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

“I’ve worked with a number of Hinshaw attorneys over the course of my law career and I have always been impressed by the caliber of their work and their commitment to client service,” Cazares said. “The firm’s resources will allow me to offer my clients a broader range of legal services, and the firm's presence in major cities nationwide offers me excellent potential to expand my practice.”

Earlier in his career, Cazares served as General Counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority, the first Latino to hold the position. He managed the agency’s legal affairs, including overseeing sophisticated real estate and finance transactions, various litigation matters, and compliance related to federal and state ethics policies and regulations.

A native of Chicago, Cazares has held leadership positions on a number of community and nonprofit boards. He is past president and a member of the Gads Hill Center board and is currently secretary of the Chicago Police Foundation. He began his career at Altheimer & Gray, before joining then Pugh Jones & Hubbard in 1992, and served as temporary in-house litigation counsel to Exelon Corporation. He was GC at the housing authority from 2007 to 2008, before returning to Pugh Jones & Johnson. He received his B.S. from Yale University and his J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.