Associates Nicole Prefontaine and Christopher Wilkes add to firm’s growing litigation team
Chicago-based law firm Ginsberg Jacobs today announced it has hired Nicole Prefontaine and Christopher Wilkes as associates in the firm’s growing Litigation Department.
“Chris and Nicole are exceptionally talented lawyers who already have distinguished themselves in high-stakes cases,” said Louis Bernstein, partner at Ginsberg Jacobs and head of the firm’s litigation team. “Their presence will only strengthen our ability to continue delivering results for clients in complex real estate and commercial disputes.”
Wilkes brings a strong background in breach of contract cases, mortgage foreclosures and Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) litigation. He has drafted written orders, full opinions and dissents as a judicial clerk in the Cook County Chancery Division as well as the Illinois Appellate Court. His practice also spans defamation claims, telecommunications disputes and complex contractual conflicts. Wilkes earned his Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and is admitted to practice in Illinois.
Prefontaine offers expertise across a range of disputes including trademark conflicts, trade secrets, cybersecurity and data breaches. She has extensive courtroom and deposition experience and has been recognized as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers. She is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and is licensed to practice in both Arizona and Illinois.
Ginsberg Jacobs has expanded its Litigation Department from two to six full-time attorneys since Bernstein merged his own practice with the firm in September 2024. Representative cases include a successful resolution on behalf of the developers of Block 37 in a $300 million lawsuit, a dismissal of a putative class action lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase Bank and representation of the Crown Family, Lettuce Entertain You and other high-profile parties in real estate litigation.
About Ginsberg Jacobs:
Founded in 2009, Ginsberg Jacobs is a highly experienced and client-focused commercial real estate law firm based in Chicago. In September 2024, Louis Bernstein, formerly of Bernstein Law Firm LLC, joined the firm to scale its litigation practice, which continues to welcome new attorneys. In addition to litigation, Ginsberg Jacobs is adept at providing tailored solutions across corporate and securities law, real estate law and tax law, providing a complementary suite of legal services. The firm’s clients range from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies. Bernstein, who leads the Litigation Department as partner, has experience representing clients in complex litigation matters in courts throughout the United States, including the Illinois Appellate Court, Illinois Supreme Court, New York State Appellate Court, Federal Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court.
Nicole Prefontaine: Nicole Prefontaine has joined Ginsberg Jacobs as an associate.
Christopher Wilkes: Christopher Wilkes has joined Ginsberg Jacobs as an associate.