Eileen M. Sethna
Partner in and Leader of Financial Services & Restructuring
Financial Services & Restructuring
Eileen Sethna is a partner in and leader of the Financial Services and Restructuring Group. She is a trusted adviser to banks, financial institutions, hedge funds, real estate investors and business owners. Given her experience representing both lenders and borrowers, clients lean on her vast wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry.
Eileen listens to her clients to determine a strategic approach that will achieve their specific needs and goals. She guides them through underwriting, diligence, structuring, transactions, reorganizations, workouts and other matters of insolvency. Often dealing with multifaceted and difficult matters, Eileen’s breadth and depth of knowledge and her client-first approach has helped clients successfully navigate diverse challenges.
A veteran trial lawyer before both judges and juries, Eileen has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation. Since 2006 she has represented the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer and was appointed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. Eileen clerked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in child support enforcement and for the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Illinois Supreme Court.
Eileen was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2020 and 2018 as one of the city’s “Notable Women Lawyers,” for her legal accomplishments and her service to the community. In 2020, she was recognized as a Notable Women in the Law by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In 2019, Eileen was recognized by this publication as a “Notable Gen X Leader in Law.”
Eileen is active in her community and is a devoted member of and passionate advocate for Misericordia. Serving on both their Advisory and Women’s Boards, Eileen is committed to raising awareness for children and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges.
Additional Information
Education & Admissions
Education
- The John Marshall Law School, J.D.
- Providence College, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2011
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2011
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, 2011
- Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois, 2008
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, 2008
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois, 2008
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2005
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2005
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 2005
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2002
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2014
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2014
Memberships
- Misericordia, Heart of Mercy, Women’s Board member
- Misericordia Advisory Board, appointed 2017 to present
- Misericordia Women's Board, joined 2012 to present
- Special Olympics Inspire Greatness Gala Committee, 2017-2018
- Chicago Bar Association, member since 2004
Awards
- Notable Women Lawyers, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2018, 2020, and 2024
- Women In Law – Class of 2020, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
- Notable Gen X Leaders in Law, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2019
- Leading Lawyer 2019
- Leading Lawyer 2018
Q&A
If I weren’t an attorney, what would you be?
I am an avid sports fan and spent a significant part of my childhood at the Boston Garden and Fenway Park cheering on my beloved Celtics and Red Sox. So, if I weren’t an attorney, I would love to be a sports broadcaster.What’s one thing someone would be surprised to know about you?
I was the captain of the Men’s Golf Team in high school.What’s the best compliment you ever received in the context of being a lawyer?
A furiously obstructionist witness slammed his hands on the table in the fifth hour of a deposition and screamed, “does your mother know what you do?”What was the first concert you went to?
Grateful Dead, Boston Garden.
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