
Corporate/M&A
USA Guide 2026 : Illinois
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC
Practical, efficient, and creative, this firm leads complex, sophisticated, and cutting-edge M&A transactions, driving value for clients. Regularly representing both buyers and sellers, the firm shapes the future of enterprises across various sectors, including SaaS and tech, food and beverage, and RIAs/broker dealers. Offering full-service M&A support, they cover areas such as tax, employment and benefits, real estate, IP, and securities as needed. Their expertise spans private and public, domestic, and cross-border M&A deals.
Experienced at every transaction stage, the firm helps clients assess opportunities and manage all deal aspects, including due diligence, rollover, equity compensation, ancillary agreements, and post-deal integration. Clients continue to rely on them post-transaction for advice on day-to-day legal matters. Often serving as general counsel or adjunct to in-house counsel, the firm is not a "one and done" entity. Clients appreciate how the firm's deal knowledge and experience effectively translate into representing them in various matters afterward. The firm manages many large-scale, interconnected deals that require high coordination to achieve clients' business objectives within tight timeframes. We are certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Counsel (WBENC).
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
The customer service is really great, and the attorneys are professional and experienced.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAThis team is very commercially-minded and practical in the advice that it provides. The attorneys understand the full spectrum of risks but are sure to guide within the scope of real and present risks.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAIn a complex transaction with a lot of moving pieces, Croke Fairchild was highly effective at communication.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 4 
Band 4 
Andrew Gilbert
Andrew Gilbert maintains a thriving M&A practice, advising a broad roster of clients. He has experience in the insurance, energy and technology industries, among others.
Andrew Gilbert will always get things done and is very responsive.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAAndrew Gilbert is an extremely practical and commercially-minded corporate attorney.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAHe took the time to understand the context and our business structure and provided great work.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Jessica Fairchild
Firm co-founder Jessica Fairchild offers superb advice on M&A, matters of corporate governance and venture capital transactions.
Jessica is a phenomenal lawyer all around. She provides a superior service and great depth of experience.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Kyle Shires
Kyle Shires is a rising star who recognized for his representation of public companies and private clients in complex M&A transactions.
Kyle is a talented attorney, analytical and responsive.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAWe're extremely appreciative of Kyle's responsiveness and partnership with our business.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSAKyle's very good at helping us understand the primary risk and how to address it.
Corporate/M&A respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC (3)
Members
Provided by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

Patrick Croke

Jason Arnold

Kyle Shires

Andrew Gilbert
Head of Department

Jessica Fairchild
Head of Department

Jessica Fairchild
View profile of Jessica Fairchild
Andrew Gilbert
View profile of Andrew Gilbert
Kyle Shires
View profile of Kyle Shires
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