Rachel A. DeCaluwe

Associate Rachel DeCaluwe's combination of skills, experience, and personal attributes makes her exceptionally well-suited to the commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and other contested matters that are the focus of her practice.

Rachel's advocacy is informed by the behind-the-bench insights and perspectives she gained working in several roles in state and federal trial and appellate courts. As a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, a judicial law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and an extern for a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Rachel saw first-hand how judges approach cases and the arguments and strategies that resonate with them. Perceptive and focused, she observed the courtroom presence and written submissions of talented attorneys and learned how to be agile and adaptive to each judge's unique preferences when analyzing, researching, and drafting opinions.

These experiences formed the foundation for Rachel's exceptional legal research and writing abilities, which also earned her several accolades and awards during law school. In addition to her strong advocacy skills, the high pressures and high stakes of a crowded docket also allowed Rachel to demonstrate her ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality and thoroughness of her work. She prioritizes clear and open communication with clients, keeping them involved and informed at every stage of a matter's lifecycle so they always understand what is happening and why. 

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Rachel earned her law degree, cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she served as lead articles editor for the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal and was on the Dean's list for all six semesters.