Ropes & Gray Names Private Equity Partner to Helm its Chicago Office

November 21, 2017
Neill Jakobe

Ropes & Gray is pleased to announce that private equity transactions partner Neill Jakobe has been named managing partner of the firm’s 130 person Chicago office. As managing partner, Mr. Jakobe will lead the continued growth of the Chicago office across a diverse array of practices, including asset management, private equity, healthcare, litigation, government enforcement and hedge funds, serving clients in the Midwest, and across the nation and globe.

“I am confident that Neill will provide exceptional leadership,” said Ropes & Gray hedge funds partner Deborah Monson, who founded Ropes & Gray’s Chicago office with two other partners in 2008, shortly before Neill joined the office. “Neill is known for having a top-notch global private equity and M&A practice, and for taking a collaborative approach in finding solutions to difficult issues.”

“I am very excited to be named managing partner of the Chicago office of Ropes & Gray,” said Mr. Jakobe. “As an office, we look forward to continuing our strong growth while continuing to deepen the firm’s commitment to Chicago’s business community and civic institutions.”

In addition to his role as office managing partner, Mr. Jakobe also serves as a firm industry group leader for private equity. In the community, Neill is a member of the Cradles to Crayons launch committee, which helped the national nonprofit open a facility in Chicago to provide low-income and homeless Chicagoans, from birth to age 12, with everyday essential items such as clothing and shoes.  

“Neill’s approach to client service is second to none and he has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and community partners,” said Deborah Gersh, co-chair of Ropes & Gray’s health care practice group. “I have full confidence in his ability to drive strategic growth of the Chicago office while continuing to deliver remarkable value to his clients, and ensuring we continue to serve our community.”

Mr. Jakobe received his J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. cum laude from the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Jakobe is reachable via email at neill.jakobe@ropesgray.com or on LinkedIn.