Bio
A litigator with experience on both sides of complex cases, Blake Kolesa represents businesses facing high-stakes commercial disputes and government investigations. A significant portion of his work is devoted to pro bono litigation, particularly appeals of wrongful convictions. Blake enjoys getting to know the ins and outs of the facts and science behind every case; preparing and deposing witnesses is one of his favorite parts of practice.
In addition to previous experience as a plaintiff’s mass tort and class actions attorney, clients value Blake's perspective and insights gained in the chambers of Illinois trial and appellate courts.
As a law student at Loyola, Blake was a fellow of the Institute for Consumer Antitrust Studies and welcomed prospective students as an admissions representative. Before his legal career, he was a community organizer in rural, downstate Illinois.
Experience
Clerkships
Judicial Extern, Hon. Michael Hyman, Illinois Appellate Court, First District (2020)
Judicial Extern, Hon. Celia Gamrath, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division (2019)
Credentials
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2021, cum laudeExecutive Editor, Loyola University Chicago Law Journal
Teaching Assistant, Torts, Contracts, & Criminal Law
Northwestern University, B.S., Education and Social Policy
Bar Admissions
Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Young Lawyers Section, Director
Illinois State Bar Association
Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council
Young Lawyers Division Section Council
Publications & Presentations
“The State of Snap Removal in Illinois District Courts,” (author) Illinois State Bar Association’s Trial Briefs Newsletter Section on Civil Practice & Procedure (August 2023, vol. 70, no. 2)
“GIPA: The Next Front for Illinois Privacy Litigation?” (co-author) Illinois State Bar Association’s Bench & Bar Section Council Newsletter (April 2023, vol. 53, no. 5)
“First-Generation Attorney Panel,” (co-panelist) UIC First-Generation Law Student Association (FGLSA) General Body Zoom Meeting (October 5, 2022)
Community Service
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Associate Board (2022)
ACLU of Illinois Next Generation Society (2022)
Northwestern University Marching and Band Alumni Association
Executive Vice President (2021-2023)
President (2023-2025)