Jillian S. Cole

Jill is an experienced commercial litigator with a multi-faceted practice. One of her areas of focus is banking litigation. She has extensive experience representing local and national commercial lenders in commercial foreclosures and other special asset litigation and is considered a pioneer in the field. Jill also represents secured creditors in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy actions. She has extensive experience representing court-appointed receivers in commercial foreclosure, eviction, and building/zoning litigation.

Another area of Jill’s practice is devoted to helping clients victimized by failed digital transformations and software implementations. She has successfully litigated cases and resolved disputes involving some of the world’s largest software and technology vendors. Jill provides practical business-oriented solutions designed to manage and mitigate risk while maximizing recovery.

Jill was honored in 2024 as one of the Top Women Lawyers in Chicago by Law Bulletin Media and Chicago Lawyer magazine in the 5th Annual Salute! Top Women in Law Awards. She was recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2025 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and as a 2024 Leading Lawyer by Leader Lawyers Network. Jill was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” from 2011-2017.

Jill earned her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her B.A. from Brandeis University. She also serves on the Women’s Board for the Joffrey Ballet.

• Co-author, “Top 5 Ways Software Vendors Try to Mislead You,” The Illinois Manufacturer Q1 2023 (with Marcus Harris and Nick Brankle).
• Co-author, “Chapter 9 — Guardians and Receivers,” Chancery and Special Remedies (2021 edition) published by IICLE, May 2021
• Panelist, “Legal Matters: Litigation, Settlements & Other Fun Stuff,” 8th Annual Midwest Bank Special Assets & Credit Officer’s Forum, September 6, 2018.
• Author, “The Row over Rowe: What to Do with Facts ‘Between’ the Record,” American Bar Association Litigation Journal, Vol. 42, No. 4 (Summer 2016).