Who We Are
Since our founding in 1913, Chapman and Cutler has focused on finance. We have represented market participants in all aspects of banking, corporate finance and securities, and public finance transactions since our inception. 

Our firm consistently develops innovative and practical legal solutions for complex financial transactions. In addition to traditional financings, we are widely recognized for our experience in specific areas of finance, including leveraged leasing and other lease finance, asset securitization, and pooled investment products including defined portfolios and mutual funds. As part of our finance-oriented practice, Chapman represents creditors, indenture trustees and other financial market participants in bankruptcy proceedings, workouts and restructurings. In the area of public finance, our firm ranks among the leading law firms in the country serving as bond, underwriter's and disclosure counsel. 

To complement Chapman's finance focus, we have a substantial general corporate practice involving the representation of business entities in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, employee benefits, environmental, administrative and regulatory law, intellectual property, and litigation. We also provide personalized estate and gift planning, traditional probate legal services and sophisticated tax planning. 

We invite you to explore what makes us unique, our work with clients, our talented people, and our insight and perspective.

What Makes Us Unique

Finance Focus
What makes Chapman and Cutler unique is our steadfast focus on finance.  Our client base is comprised of financial institutions and other entities seeking and providing financing.  We like these clients, we like learning how and why they do what they do, and we like helping them do business by bringing our knowledge and experience to the table.

Innovative Thinking
An innovative firm can create opportunities when nothing seems to be going according to plan.  Since our founding, we have contributed to some of the finance industry’s significant innovations, from formulating state blue sky laws in the early 1920s, to the development of the unit investment trust in the 1960s, to creating new bond and structured financing tools in the later part of the 20th Century and early 21st Century, Chapman helped lead the way with respect to financing innovation.

Stability 100 Years On
A stable firm weathers challenges and navigates toward recovery.  Over our 100 year history, Chapman has navigated a steady course through a great depression, two world wars, and varying levels of financial crises. Helping our clients face challenges and manage risks is what we do best.  Working alongside our clients, with a “we are in this together” mentality, has allowed Chapman to continue to thrive.

Shaping the Future
Forward-looking firms help shape the future.  Our attorneys are actively working with industry organizations and governmental entities to comment on proposed reforms, write new legislation and regulations, and guide implementation of new rules.