Erin Cannon
Giant Cement Holding, Inc.
Construction

Erin Kenyatta Cannon is a successful construction litigator who is highly invested in helping others achieve success.

Cannon graduated from Howard University School of Law. She has a background in engineering and construction management, which has served her well in her legal career.

Cannon, 35, works in the construction group for Arnstein & Lehr LLP. Cannon works directly with owners, homeowner association boards, subcontractors, general contractors, and design professionals who are pursuing or defending claims related to defective construction work. Cannon also helps with contract drafting and negotiations.

Cannon began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Raymond A. Jackson in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. After that, Cannon joined the litigation department at Jenner & Block. While at Jenner, Cannon worked on cases related to internal investigations, white collar crime and complex commercial litigation.  The reputation she developed at Jenner & Block followed her to her current firm Arnstein & Lehr. Lawyers have taken notice of Cannon’s ability in the courtroom.

For example, Lindsey Dates of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, had this to say about Cannon’s work on a recent case she took to trial.  “She has extraordinary talent that rivals the extraordinary effort that she places into discerning every detail in every matter that she handles.”

Dates continued, “As she commanded the attention of everyone, she maintained common sense perspective and meticulously walked witnesses through complex facts so that everyone could understand the often arcane details that permeate construction law.”

Chasity Lomax, with O’Hagan LLC, met Cannon in law school and the two serve on the Board of Directors of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association.

“Erin is one of the most intelligent and hard-working lawyers I know. She works tirelessly to embody the spirit of the law, fervently advocate fort her clients and maintain all ethical standards while doing so,” Lomax said. “Even in law school, Erin strived to master the material and be the best that she can be. This mentality absolutely transferred over to her practice of law.”

Lomax said that Cannon remains cool under pressure.

“Erin has been thrown into last minute court appearances and motion arguments, which were successfully handled with finesse,” Lomax said. “She has an uncanny ability to relate to people, which undoubtedly contributes to her success in and out of the courtroom.”

 

“Erin in a superstar lawyer who can persuade just about anyone to agree with her on any given issue,” Dates said.

While at Jenner, Cannon was one of a select group of associates that helped recruit and interview associates and law clerks. She participated in and contributed to the firm’s African American Affinity Group. Since joining her current firm, she has served as the only associate on its Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Cannon has served as BWLA co-chair of the Law Student Outreach Committee; chair of the Summit History Committee Board Member At Large, and Treasurer. Cannon has also served on the Cook County Bar Association Job Fair Committee, where she helped organiz and host the annual job fair for minority law students. She also worked with a small steering committee to revitalize the Howard University School of Law Alumni Club of Chicago, and then served as president of the newly restored alumni group.

Cannon is dedicated to mentoring young attorneys. She mentors middle school students, who want to become attorneys, through the SPARK program, and helps mentor law students as well. Cannon is active in the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry and recently was named one of its Diversity Fellows.