Vedder Price

History and Founding

Vedder Price was founded in March 1952 in Chicago by seven partners, including the individuals whose surnames formed the original name: Vedder, Price, Kaufman, and Kammholz. The firm began as a boutique labor and litigation practice and grew organically over seven decades, supplemented by strategic lateral hires, to become a full-service international firm. In 2020, the firm opened a London office with the hire of aviation finance partner Gavin Hill from Clyde & Co, strengthening its transatlantic capabilities. In 2024, the firm streamlined its name to Vedder and launched a new brand identity and website, reflecting its evolution while preserving its core values.

Practice Areas and Industry Focus

Vedder's practice is organized around three core departments: Corporate, Labor & Employment, and Litigation. Within these, the firm operates specialized industry groups including Aviation Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Transportation, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Intellectual Property, and Antitrust & Trade Regulation. The aviation finance practice is particularly prominent, regularly advising on multi-billion-dollar aircraft financings and leases. The corporate team handles M&A, private equity, public offerings, and corporate governance. The labor and employment group provides comprehensive counseling, litigation, and labor relations services. The litigation department handles complex commercial disputes, class actions, white-collar defense, and appellate work.

Recognition and Accolades

In 2025–2026, Vedder received significant recognition: 76 attorneys were listed in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, multiple practice groups were named to the 2026 Best Law Firms list, and the firm was selected for the International Employment Lawyer’s 2026 ELITE list. Chambers & Partners continues to rate the firm highly in national capital markets, labor & employment, and banking. These accolades reflect the firm's consistent delivery of high-stakes counsel across jurisdictions.

Client Base and Culture

Vedder serves a diverse client base spanning airlines, banks, asset managers, technology companies, healthcare providers, and manufacturing firms. The firm emphasizes a partnership model, assigning cross-disciplinary teams to handle complex transactions and litigation. Clients praise the firm for its business acumen, responsiveness, and actionable advice. Vedder invests in legal operations technology and diversity initiatives, maintaining a progressive corporate culture. With approximately 500–800 professionals (including over 400 lawyers), the firm remains midsized by Am Law 100 standards, allowing for close partner-client relationships.

Offices and Global Reach

Vedder operates from offices in Chicago (headquarters), New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, and several other U.S. cities. The London office, established in 2020, serves as a key hub for aviation finance and cross-border transactions. The firm's physical and virtual presence enables it to serve clients across time zones and regulatory regimes.