Government
Legal Advisors to Public Entities with Public Impact
Government agencies and officials face increasing demands to serve communities transparently, efficiently, and lawfully. But with limited resources, heightened public scrutiny, and evolving legal requirements, even well-intentioned decisions can carry legal risk.
Hinshaw partners with public entities—municipalities, school districts, housing authorities, transit agencies, park districts, and state and local government bodies—to deliver responsive, cost-effective legal counsel. From day-to-day operations and employment matters to major litigation and regulatory compliance, we provide practical legal solutions that help public sector clients fulfill their mission and protect the public trust.
What sets Hinshaw apart is our deep bench of attorneys with first-hand public sector experience. Our team includes former U.S. Attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, State’s Attorneys, and high-level government officials—including a former Deputy Governor of Illinois, Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor, Chief Counsel for the Illinois Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources, and Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board. This institutional knowledge allows us to anticipate challenges, craft defensible policies, and deliver effective representation aligned with the realities of public service.
We have served as outside general counsel, special assistant attorneys general, special state’s attorneys, special assistant state’s attorneys, and special assistant corporation counsel. Our lawyers have been hearing officers for the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and other key regulatory bodies. Our authorship of Illinois Municipal Tort Liability, a leading treatise often cited by the Illinois Supreme Court and federal courts, further demonstrates our role in shaping the legal framework governing public entities.
Areas of Focus
Advancing Public Service Through Smart Legal Strategy
Hinshaw helps government entities fulfill their responsibilities to the public while minimizing legal exposure. With deep experience in the legal, political, and operational realities of public service, we deliver clear, cost-effective counsel that supports both governance and growth.
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