Ropes & Gray Appoints Laura Hoey as Chicago Office Managing Partner and Names Neill Jakobe Co-leader of the Firm’s Global Private Equity Transactions Practice

Global law firm Ropes & Gray is pleased to announce that litigation and enforcement partner Laura Hoey has been named office managing partner of the firm’s 130-person Chicago office.

Neill Jakobe, who has served as the Chicago leader for nearly two years, has been appointed to serve as global practice group co-leader for Ropes & Gray’s private equity transactions practice group.

Laura Hoey

Ms. Hoey, a Chambers-ranked lawyer and former federal prosecutor, is co-leader of the Government Enforcement and White Collar Group and co-leader of the Health Care and Life Sciences Industry Group at Ropes & Gray. She formerly was co-leader of Ropes & Gray’s Women’s Forum, which supports the development and advancement of women in business and law. She was named in Crain’s Chicago Business as one of “Chicago’s Notable Women Lawyers” in 2018.  She received her J.D. from the Yale Law School and her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

“Laura Hoey is an exceptional litigator, strategic thinker and tireless advocate for her clients and colleagues, and I am excited about working with her as she continues the strategic growth and development of the Chicago office,” Mr. Jakobe said. “Laura is widely recognized by her peers as a leading practitioner and has played a key leadership role in a number of areas at the firm, and I know she will excel in this position.”

Neill Jakobe

Mr. Jakobe, a Chambers-ranked private equity and M&A lawyer, is also an Industry Group Leader for Private Equity at Ropes & Gray. Mr. Jakobe’s background is unique among transactional lawyers in that he previously worked as both a securities litigator and as an investment banker, giving him differentiated insight into dealmaking. As leader of the Chicago office, he expanded the firm’s commitment to public service in Chicago. He and his family were honored with the 2018 Donna & Jack Greenberg Extraordinary Service Award by Cradles to Crayons. Mr. Jakobe received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

“Under Neill Jakobe’s leadership, Ropes & Gray has grown the Chicago office, we have increased collaboration among our colleagues locally and across the firm, and we have deepened and expanded our relationships with clients nationally and internationally,” said Ms. Hoey. “I am grateful for his tremendous work over the past two years and know that he is excited to continue his efforts on behalf of our leading global private equity practice.”