A business law firm built around clear advice
Nexum Law advises businesses, founders and investors on corporate, commercial, employment, intellectual property and dispute matters from our office in Chicago.
How the firm began
Eleanor Sterling and Daniel Vale founded the firm in 2019 after years of advising growing companies at larger firms.
They noticed the same pattern again and again. Clients received thorough analysis, but rarely a clear recommendation. Fees were hard to predict. And the partner who won the work was often not the person doing it.
Nexum Law was set up to work differently: a focused business practice, small teams with a named attorney responsible for each matter, written recommendations and fees agreed in advance.
The firm now advises privately held companies, startups and investors across six practice areas, and continues to grow mainly through referrals from clients and their advisers.
Mission and values
Our mission is clear legal guidance for consequential business decisions.
Legal precision
Every matter receives careful attention to the applicable law, the documents and the consequences of each choice.
Commercial understanding
Advice takes account of your objectives, your operations and how much risk you are prepared to carry.
Clear communication
We explain legal concepts in plain language, and we put recommendations in writing.
Professional integrity
We are honest about the strengths and weaknesses of your position, and we keep confidences.
Long-term partnership
We aim to be the firm you call as your business and its needs change.
Our approach to legal work
The same four steps on every matter
Step 1
Understand
Your objectives, your circumstances and the decision you face.
Step 2
Assess
The legal issues, the risks and the options open to you.
Step 3
Agree a plan
A recommended strategy, with scope and fees confirmed in writing.
Step 4
Support
The work carried out as agreed, with regular updates.
Client service principles
Commitments we make to every client.
- You will know who is responsible for your matter from the first call.
- Scope and fees are agreed in writing before work begins.
- We reply to client messages within one business day, even if only to say when a full answer will follow.
- We tell you promptly if a fee estimate is likely to change.
- We tell you when a matter is outside our expertise and help you find the right adviser.
Professional standards
Confidentiality
Information you share is protected by our professional duties of confidentiality, and access is limited to the people working on your matter.
Conflicts of interest
We run a conflict check before discussing the details of any new matter, and we decline matters where a conflict cannot be resolved.
No guaranteed outcomes
We give candid assessments, never promises about results. Every matter turns on its own facts.
Continuing education
Our attorneys complete continuing legal education each year and track changes in the areas where they advise.
Admissions and memberships
Our attorneys are admitted in Illinois, with additional admissions listed on individual profiles.
Members of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and the American Bar Association Business Law Section.
How we publish legal information
Every article on this site is written by one of our attorneys and reviewed by a second attorney before it is published. Each one names its author, its reviewer and the date it was last reviewed, and cites the statutes it relies on so you can read the source yourself.
We re-review articles at least once a year and whenever Illinois or federal law changes in a way that affects them. Articles explain general principles of Illinois and U.S. federal law; they are not advice on your situation, and we say so on every page.
New matters follow the same steps whatever their size: a conflict check before we discuss details, a written estimate or fixed fee before work begins, and a named attorney responsible from the first call. If a matter falls outside our practice or our admissions, we tell you and suggest where to turn.
Consultations
Tell us about your matter
Share a short summary and we will reply within two business days. Please leave out confidential details and documents for now.
Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship, and we cannot guarantee that we can take on every matter. If you face an urgent deadline, such as a court filing, please call the office.