Lucas T. Rael

Associate ( Chicago )

Direct 312.471.8784 LinkedIn

Bio

Lucas Rael brings sharp research and organizational skills to his work on white collar criminal matters and other complex investigations. This love of digging into different areas of the law and synthesizing information from multiple sources is matched by his enthusiasm for courtroom work such as examining witnesses and making arguments. After all, he notes, it’s deep preparation that enables you to think on your feet.

In his experience working on internal investigations triggered by subpoenas from the Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, and Securities and Exchange Commission, Lucas has helped clients identify key documents and prepare witnesses for government interviews. He has also researched legal theories and crafted arguments for multiple successful motions in state and federal court and managed all aspects of complex commercial litigation matters. He is particularly adept at managing e-discovery work and using technology, where possible, to streamline document management and other time-intensive tasks.

Lucas devotes a portion of his practice to pro bono work, including previously seeking to overturn a wrongful conviction in a death penalty case in Alabama.

Lucas is proficient in Spanish, a language he learned while living in Argentina with his family as a teenager. He majored in Spanish and Chemistry at Emory University and, as a college student, interned with a major oil company in Qatar.

Born in Alaska, Lucas enjoys annual visits there to visit family and fish for halibut. Living in Chicago for the rest of the year, he enjoys walking his dog through the Lakeview neighborhood he calls home and pursuing his hobby as a film photographer.

Credentials

Education

University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 2016, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif
Editor-in-Chief, University of Illinois Law Review 
Member, University of Illinois College of Law Trial Team

Emory University, B.S., Chemistry and Spanish, 2013
Robert Woodruff Scholar
Team Captain, Emory University Mock Trial

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025), Best Lawyers®
Illinois Rising Stars in Criminal Defense: White Collar, Thomson Reuters' Illinois Super Lawyers (2023-2024)

Languages Spoken & Fluency

Spanish, Proficient