Kate Schnake Named to Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s 2025 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty

The law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that partner Kate Schnake of the firm’s Professional Liability practice group has been selected by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer among its “40 Under Forty 2025 Illinois Attorneys to Watch.”

For the past 25 years, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer have recognized 40 attorneys under 40 from across the State of Illinois for character, exemplary legal skills and accomplishments, and commitment to community service.

40 Under Forty Profile

The Law Bulletin describes Kate as “a go-to attorney in legal ethics” with “a steadfast commitment to excellence in the legal profession.” One of her peers remarked, “Kate has an impressive strategic mind. Every act she takes is measured against the goal of prevailing for her client. While she is still a young lawyer, her knowledge, skills, and manner are far beyond her years.”

A retired judge also reflected on a challenging legal malpractice case that Kate served as defense counsel for, saying, “Kate did not abandon her client in the face of a difficult issue. She supported her client, showed empathy and kindness, and requested a continuance of the trial. I was and will always be steadfastly impressed by how Kate handled this entire case with grace and compassion.”

Read Kate’s full 40 Under Forty profile.

About Kate

Kate counsels attorneys and law firms on professional liability, ethics, and risk management. She has significant experience defending legal professionals in civil and disciplinary matters, guiding clients through complex issues at the intersection of law and professional responsibility.

Beyond her practice, Kate is active in the Chicago Bar Association and the National Association of Women Lawyers. She previously taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and contributes to the legal community through her involvement as a Board Member for the Sisterhood of Insurance Professionals (SIP), which Kate has served on since 2021.

Earlier in her career, she was the Co-Chair of the Professional Committee of the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, and also served on the Section’s Executive Council as the Project Officer.

View the full list of 2025 40 Attorneys Under Forty.