Esther Yahnig
Managing Partner
Esther is a skilled litigator with broad experience counseling and advocating for small and large companies, individuals, and government institutions. Esther navigates the intricacies of complex litigation with a practical approach.
Esther began her career at Sidley Austin LLP, where she developed skills in class action defense and complex commercial disputes. Esther joined the Board of Education of the City of Chicago as Assistant General Counsel, providing legal counsel across a variety of matters for the district’s administration. She then served as acting General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, where she managed litigation, negotiated contracts, and provided indispensable legal support to the executive team. Esther is a versatile legal advisor and trusted advocate for her clients.
Esther joined Esbrook P.C. in September 2018 and became Managing Partner in January 2025.
Selected Confidential Commercial Litigation Matters
- Represent plaintiff in business dispute alleging breach of fiduciary duty against former partner in medical billing company.
- Counsel for manufacturing company in insurance coverage action related to class action alleging PFAS environmental contamination.
- Obtained favorable judgment for sports marketing company in breach of contract action against former marketing affiliate.
- Secured favorable settlement for national bank in federal action alleging violations of banking regulations related to check forgery.
- Negotiated favorable settlements for plaintiffs and defendant food companies in false labeling consumer litigation matters.
- Represented manufacturing company in dispute with railroad company and insurer and negotiated global settlement.
Selected Confidential Pre-Litigation Representative Matters
- Represent cyber security, technology, manufacturing, and chemical companies in pre-litigation coverage disputes with insurance carriers driving towards favorable pre-suit settlements.
- Advise companies in financial, technology, professional services, and cryptocurrency markets relating to contract negotiations, policy development, and executive employment matters.
- Provide independent counsel to government boards relating to employee dismissal matters.
- Represent individuals in pre-litigation education-related disputes with universities and private K-12 institutions.