Tiffany Carpenter
Howard & Howard
Commercial litigation

A long list of victories. That's what Tiffany Carpenter, a commercial litigation specialist at Chicago's Howard & Howard, has earned for her business clients. And it's this record of success that has helped Carpenter build a reputation as one of the most trusted products liability, employment and commercial litigation experts in the city. 

How successful has Carpenter been? She represented a plaintiff in a civil rights case that resulted in a $1.5 million judgment for her client. This success came after a complex trial that lasted nine days. 

Carpenter served as trial counsel in a breach-of-contract construction dispute that brought a $500,000 judgment for her firm's client following a bench trial lasting five days. 

And these results aren't unusual. 

Cal Burnton a partner at the Chicago office of Steptoe & Johnson worked previously worked Carpenter when they were both at Edwards Wildman Palmer, “Right from the start one could tell Tiffany was a great lawyer.” Burton continued, “She is a rare breed where she is articulate, quick on her feet, and a legal thinker.  I have no doubt that the time is not far away when people talk about the top trial lawyers in the city, as in who are the go to lawyers, her name will be top of the list”. 

"Tiffany is the first person that I put clients in touch with if I am conflicted out or otherwise unable to handle their needs," said Lily McNulty, associate with Chicago's Greenberg Traurig. "With Tiffany, I know without a shadow of the doubt, they are in good hands.”

Ellen Ernst, tax counsel with Chicago's JBT Corporation, previously worked with Carpenter at Howard & Howard. She refers to Carpenter as a "force of nature."

"Tiffany is unmatched in her ability to develop strong relationships with her clients," Ernst said. "To her clients, she is a strong listener, advisor and a measured resource. She skillfully takes that knowledge and passion for her clients to become a strong and fierce advocate."

Ernst also says that Carpenter has built relationships with sophisticated corporate counsel that usually come with lawyers who are two decades older. 

"Although 'lawyering' is often discussed in terms of trial performance, interpersonal and relationship building skills are a critical component to one's success in forming deep and effective counselor relationships," Ernst said. "Tiffany has that figured out in her 30s."

Even while building such a busy career, Carpenter finds time to serve her community. She is dedicated to mentoring associates and law school students and is also a member of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, Women’s Bar Association, Coalition on Women’s Initiatives in Law and a Board of Directors and Lawyers Auxiliary Committee member for the Illinois Judges Foundation.

"Tiffany has wonderful perspective, providing guidance and advisement on matters not just as outside counsel, but with a sound business perspective, partnering with us to provide the best outcome," said Ritu Portugal with Denco Family, Inc., one of Carpenter's clients. "In addition, Tiffany's demeanor is calm, cool and confident. Tiffany also has a level of empathy and insight that serves to assure the best outcome and solution."