Eric Sparks, Partner

Eric Sparks

Partner
Chicago
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Overview

With over 20 years of experience as a commercial litigator, Eric Sparks is known for his ability to handle a wide variety of complex matters, both in the courtroom and at the appellate level.

Whether it’s counseling businesses on pre-dispute issues, managing arbitration proceedings, or advocating at trial and on appeal, Eric excels in finding practical solutions to his clients’ most challenging legal issues. Eric often serves as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation through a practice that spans several areas of law.

With over 20 years of experience as a commercial litigator, Eric Sparks is known for his ability to handle a wide variety of complex matters, both in the courtroom and at the appellate level.

Whether it’s counseling businesses on pre-dispute issues, managing arbitration proceedings, or advocating at trial and on appeal, Eric excels in finding practical solutions to his clients’ most challenging legal issues. Eric often serves as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation through a practice that spans several areas of law.

Eric’s experience includes complex commercial litigation across industries, with a particular emphasis on construction law, product liability defense, high-stakes trust and estate disputes, business ownership issues, and complex real estate disputes.

He has tried cases throughout the country and represented clients in appellate matters, including arguing before the Illinois Supreme Court. Eric secured a unanimous ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court in favor of M/I Homes, a decision that had significant implications for construction law in Illinois.

In addition to his trial and appellate experience, Eric frequently serves as a trusted advisor in pre-litigation matters and alternative dispute resolution processes such as arbitration. His broad experience across these key practice areas enables him to approach each case from a well-rounded perspective, ensuring that his clients’ needs are met at every stage of the litigation process.

Recognized as a “Rising Star” in Business Litigation by Illinois Super Lawyers and as one of Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law,” Eric is committed to providing insightful and effective legal counsel. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, where he has served as an editor for the Construction Litigation Committee newsletter and previously co-chaired the Subcommittee on Mediation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

What’s Eric’s +
I draw on more than two decades of litigation experience to help clients see beyond the immediate issue, anticipate what may come next, and make practical decisions.

Credentials

Education
  • University of Chicago Law School, J.D., Raymond Scholar
  • Northwestern University, Ph.D., Philosophy
  • Northwestern University, M.A., Philosophy
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignB.S., summa cum laude, psychology and philosophy, Phi Beta Kappa, University Honors (Bronze Tablet)
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Court Admissions
  • Federal Trial Bar, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court of the District of Colorado
  • U.S. Tax Court