Katharine R. McLaughlin is a trial lawyer and a member of the Law Firm and Professional Services Defense practice group. Ms. McLaughlin has robust experience defending global, national, and regional law firms in complex litigation, pre-suit investigations and resolutions, and partnership disputes. A true “lawyer’s lawyer,” Ms. McLaughlin was named an Illinois Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in the area of Professional Liability for 2019, 2020, and 2021 and has been named a Leading Lawyer’s Network “Emerging Lawyer” since 2017.
Ms. McLaughlin also has a broad range of complex commercial litigation experience, representing large corporations in their most difficult and high-stakes disputes, and deep experience in all aspects of trial practice. She has contributed to important victories in putative class actions, shareholder disputes, director and officer liability actions, contract litigation, trade secret disputes, and trust and estate litigation, among many other kinds of matters. Ms. McLaughlin has represented clients in both state and federal court, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in internal investigations, arbitrations, and mediations.
In addition to her private practice, Ms. McLaughlin maintains an active and varied pro bono practice that has included habeas corpus proceedings, civil rights disputes, immigration matters, and work in the reproductive rights space, among other areas.
Ms. McLaughlin is admitted to practice in the state of Illinois. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, and recently served on the ABA Standing Committee for Lawyers’ Professional Liability.
I approach my practice the same way I approach everything else in life: work hard and have fun doing it.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Katharine R. McLaughlin is a trial lawyer and a member of the Law Firm and Professional Services Defense practice group. Ms. McLaughlin has robust experience defending global, national, and regional law firms in complex litigation, pre-suit investigations and resolutions, and partnership disputes. A true “lawyer’s lawyer,” Ms. McLaughlin was named an Illinois Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in the area of Professional Liability for 2019, 2020, and 2021 and has been named a Leading Lawyer’s Network “Emerging Lawyer” since 2017.
Ms. McLaughlin also has a broad range of complex commercial litigation experience, representing large corporations in their most difficult and high-stakes disputes, and deep experience in all aspects of trial practice. She has contributed to important victories in putative class actions, shareholder disputes, director and officer liability actions, contract litigation, trade secret disputes, and trust and estate litigation, among many other kinds of matters. Ms. McLaughlin has represented clients in both state and federal court, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in internal investigations, arbitrations, and mediations.
In addition to her private practice, Ms. McLaughlin maintains an active and varied pro bono practice that has included habeas corpus proceedings, civil rights disputes, immigration matters, and work in the reproductive rights space, among other areas.
Ms. McLaughlin is admitted to practice in the state of Illinois. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, and recently served on the ABA Standing Committee for Lawyers’ Professional Liability.
I approach my practice the same way I approach everything else in life: work hard and have fun doing it.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- Illinois, 2012
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif, 2012
- Vanderbilt University, BS, summa cum laude; Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, 2009
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), 2019
- US District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 2024
Service / Recognition
Awards
- Chambers USA, Law Firm Defense (Nationwide), 2026
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The BTI Class Action Leaders, 2026
- Illinois Super Lawyers, "Rising Star", Professional Liability and General Litigation, 2019-2024
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Leading Lawyers Network, "Emerging Lawyer", Commercial Litigation and Professional Malpractice Defense Law, 2017-2025
Service to the Bar
- American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Professional Liability, 2021-2024