Gould & Ratner LLP

What Gould & Ratner LLP does

Gould & Ratner LLP is a Chicago-headquartered, full-service U.S. law firm operating as a limited liability partnership. Founded in 1945, the firm employs 101–250 people, including 50+ experienced attorneys, and serves a diversified client base that includes Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and family-owned enterprises. It maintains a second office in Denver (opened 2021) and is a member of international legal networks MSI Global Alliance and Law Exchange International, enabling cross-border referrals.

The firm offers counsel across roughly 22 practice areas, including corporate, real estate, litigation, tax planning and controversy, estate planning and wealth transfer, intellectual property, employment and human resources, construction, environmental, insurance counseling and recovery, financial services, employee benefits, business reorganization, and several emerging verticals such as cannabis and regulated industries, cryptocurrency and blockchain, clean tech and alternative energy, and cybersecurity, data privacy and AI. Its technology stack is conventional for a mid-size firm — managed by Director of Technology Jackie Willis across systems administration, network management, telecommunications, and data security — with no proprietary software, APIs, or developer-facing products.

Gould & Ratner generates revenue through professional-services engagements billed on a quote-based, matter-specific basis, with pricing dependent on practice area, matter complexity, and attorney seniority. It markets primarily through content (publications and blog posts targeting real estate, employment, tax, construction, and corporate matters), industry event participation and sponsorships, professional recognition (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers USA, Best Companies to Work For), social media, and email/news releases. Notable representative engagements include representing CC Industries in the acquisition of Central Indiana Ethanol, Selig Group in the acquisition of Manufacture Générale de Joints (MGJ), JJD Management in the acquisition of Metaltec, and Ichthus Capital Partners in the closing of a $7 million inaugural private credit fund.

Name

Gould & Ratner LLP

Legal name

Gould & Ratner LLP

Website

https://gouldratner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gould & Ratner LLP is a Chicago-headquartered, full-service U.S. law firm founded in 1945, employing 50+ attorneys across Chicago and Denver offices. It serves Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, and family-owned enterprises across approximately 22 practice areas, with no technology products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services: Full-service law firm providing comprehensive legal counsel and business advice. Revenue generated through professional legal services including corporate transactions, litigation, real estate matters, tax planning, estate planning, employment law, construction law, and related specialty fields.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gould & Ratner LLP is a Chicago-based full-service law firm providing comprehensive legal counsel and business advice to Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and families. Services span corporate transactions, M&A, litigation, real estate, tax planning and controversy, estate planning and wealth transfer, employment, construction, environmental, insurance coverage, intellectual property, and regulated industries such as cannabis, cryptocurrency, and clean tech. The firm operates from offices in Chicago and Denver, leveraging affiliations with MSI Global Alliance and Law Exchange International to support cross-border matters.

Product overview

Gould & Ratner LLP is a mid-sized law firm providing comprehensive legal counsel and business advice across 22 practice areas. The firm's service offerings span corporate transactions, litigation, real estate, tax planning, employment law, intellectual property, and specialized industries including cannabis, cryptocurrency, clean tech, and telecommunications. The firm has two office locations (Chicago and Denver) and serves Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and families. The firm does not offer technology products or software services—its offerings consist entirely of legal services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Legal Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ experienced attorneys serving clients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• MSI Global AllianceminorOthersGould & Ratner is affiliated with MSI Global Alliance, an international network of law firms. This affiliation provides access to independent law firms across global markets, enabling the firm to serve clients with international legal needs through trusted referral relationships.
• Law Exchange InternationalminorOthersGould & Ratner participates in Law Exchange International, which has been particularly important for partner Vanessa Tiradentes and her international clients. This organization facilitates cross-border legal referrals and collaboration among member firms.
• Habitat for HumanityminorOthersGould & Ratner supports Habitat for Humanity through pro bono work, demonstrating the firm's commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• McDermott Will & Emery: Major Chicago-based law firm with strong corporate, real estate, tax, and private client practices serving mid-market and enterprise clients. Comparable in client base and core practice areas though larger in scale.
• Quarles & Brady LLP: Mid-size Midwest-headquartered law firm with comparable practice mix in corporate, real estate, litigation, and closely held business services, serving similar enterprise and family-owned client base.
• Ice Miller LLP: Indianapolis- and Chicago-based mid-size law firm with similar practice breadth including corporate, real estate, litigation, and government services. Comparable scale and Midwest enterprise client focus.
• Much Shelist, P.C. Chicago-based mid-size law firm serving closely held businesses, family offices, and Fortune 500 clients across corporate, real estate, litigation, and tax practices. Closely comparable in size, market, and positioning.
• Dykema Gossett PLLC: Mid-size law firm with strong Midwest presence including Chicago and comparable practice areas in corporate, real estate, litigation, and emerging companies. Comparable scale and client type.
• Freeborn & Peters LLP: Chicago-headquartered mid-size law firm with strong corporate, litigation, real estate, and regulatory practices serving similar enterprise and mid-market clients. Direct peer in size, geography, and service mix.
• Schiff Hardin LLP: Chicago-headquartered mid-size law firm of similar scale serving Fortune 500 and closely held businesses across corporate, real estate, litigation, and regulatory practices. Directly comparable in size, geography, and client mix.

Broad incumbents

• Holland & Knight LLP: Major U.S. law firm with a strong Chicago presence and broad corporate, real estate, and private client practices serving closely held businesses and family offices. Comparable client segments but with national scale.
• Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: National law firm with deep Midwest roots (Minneapolis/Chicago) and comparable corporate, real estate, and litigation practices serving Fortune 500 and closely held businesses. Similar client segments at larger scale.
• Seyfarth Shaw LLP: Large Chicago-founded national law firm with strong employment, real estate, and litigation practices. Comparable in Midwest roots and corporate client focus but significantly larger and broader.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/jackie-w-3b2821b4
• Xx.com/gouldratner
• Facebookfacebook.com/gould-ratner-llp-658994004137828

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gould & Ratner LLP