Rachel is a litigator whose practice focuses on complex civil litigation in federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. She has represented clients in civil rights litigation, family law matters (including divorce and child custody issues), legal malpractice cases, employment matters (including wage collection disputes and discrimination claims), and disputes under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). She also has considerable experience resolving cases under The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and advising law firms and lawyers on professional liability matters.
Rachel joined Miller Shakman in 2020 after completing clerkships in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Before attending law school, Rachel lived in the southern Appalachian Mountains where she studied sustainable development and served as the editorial assistant on the quarterly regional studies review Appalachian Journal.
She is a pragmatic and conscientious attorney who is dedicated to helping clients achieve their objectives in all matters, large and small.
Selected Engagements
Representing an international law firm in defense of legal malpractice claims involving the IRS audit of a hedge fund’s domestic and foreign partnership affiliates.
Represented numerous clients in complex divorce proceedings at the trial and appellate level, litigating issues related to parenting, child custody, and division of marital assets.
Secured a full win for a major media company seeking public records wrongfully withheld by the City of Chicago, prevailing on claims under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Defended large law firms and attorneys in legal malpractice cases arising from litigation, federal tax disputes, and corporate transactions.
Prevailed in the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of a disabled former Cook County employee who had been wrongfully denied his disability pension benefits.
Prevailed in a federal trial representing respondent mother in a dispute under The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, resulting in dismissal of the father's petition with prejudice.
Represented respondent mother in an international child custody dispute under The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, resulting in dismissal of the father's claims and a favorable settlement.
Represented plaintiff doctor in a wage action against his former employer, bringing claims under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.
Obtained a favorable settlement for a plaintiff in a pregnancy discrimination and wage collection dispute, bringing claims under the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.
Represented numerous individuals on a pro bono basis bringing claims for excessive use of force or failure to protect against the Cook County Sheriff's Office and individual correctional officers, securing favorable settlements.
Education
B.A., Carleton College, Theater Arts, 2011
Graduated summa cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa
M.A., Appalachian State University, Appalachian Studies/Sustainable Development, 2014
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2017
Law and Public Service Program Fellow
Managing Board, Virginia Environmental Law Journal
Experience
Admitted to the Illinois Bar, 2017
Law clerk to the late Hon. Pamela L. Reeves, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, 2017-2018
Staff law clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2018-2020
Associate with this firm, 2020 to Present
Admitted to the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Memberships
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Community/Leadership
Member, ISBA Standing Committee on Disability Law, 2025 to Present
Member, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee NextGen Leadership Council, 2021 to Present
Member, ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section Council, 2023 to 2025
Member, Young Leaders Board, Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry), 2019 to 2023
Selected Honors
2022 Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service, presented by the judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
