KA

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick, Business Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

Over 43 years of legal practice · focused on Business, General, and Litigation · 4.6/5 rating from 1 verified client review

PartneratChildress Duffy, LTD.

Chicago, IL

Practicing business in Chicago since 1983.

43+
Years practicing
4.6 ★
1 client review
7
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick is a partner based in Chicago, IL. The practice focuses on Business, General, and Litigation. Katherine has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Childress Duffy, LTD.. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in
Chicago, IL
Experience
over 43 years
Known for
Business · General · Litigation
  • Handles Business, General, and Litigation matters from Chicago, IL.
  • Over 43 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with AV Preeminent.

About Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick: Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick is a partner based in Chicago, IL. The practice focuses on Business, General, and Litigation. Katherine has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Childress Duffy, LTD.. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick

Katherine concentrates on business, general, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Katherine handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in Chicago, Illinois

Katherine takes business matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

General cases in Chicago, Illinois

Katherine takes general matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Chicago, Illinois

Katherine takes litigation matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick — Over 43 years of Illinois business experience

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick is a partner based in Chicago, IL. The practice focuses on Business, General, and Litigation. Katherine has over 43 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Childress Duffy, LTD.. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick is a lawyer practicing risk management, business, lawsuits & disputes. Katherine received a B.S. degree from Arizona State University in 1979, and has been licensed for 43 years. Katherine practices at Childress Duffy, LTD. in Chicago, IL.

Working with Katherine on a business matter

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick is a lawyer practicing risk management, business, lawsuits & disputes. Katherine received a B.S. degree from Arizona State University in 1979, and has been licensed for 43 years. Katherine practices at Childress Duffy, LTD. in Chicago, IL.

Clients Katherine works with

Katherine reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, general, and litigation matters in Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area.

Credentials

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick's legal education and bar admissions

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology

    J.D. · 1983

  • Arizona State University

    B.S. Business · 1979

Jurisdictions

Katherine's state bar admissions

  • Colorado

    2018 · ACTIVE

  • California

    1996 · ACTIVE

  • U.S. Court of Appeal

    1995 · ACTIVE

  • U.S. Court of Appeal

    1995 · ACTIVE

  • U.S. District Court,

    1992 · ACTIVE

  • U.S. District Court,

    1983 · ACTIVE

  • Illinois

    1983 · ACTIVE

Katherine studied at J.D. in Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology and B.S. Business in Arizona State University.

Law school and academic background

Katherine completed J.D. in Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology and B.S. Business in Arizona State University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Katherine runs in Illinois is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick

Katherine has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

Katherine's professional memberships and bar associations

  • State Bar of California

    membership

Locations

Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick's office in Chicago

Katherine's primary office is at 500 N. Dearborn St., Ste. 1200, Chicago, IL, 60654-8704. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Childress Duffy, LTD.

500 N. Dearborn St., Ste. 1200

Chicago, IL 60654-8704

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick — 4.6/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Katherine. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing business attorneys in Chicago.

4.6

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick claims this profile.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Katherine usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Katherine charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Katherine will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in Chicago, Illinois

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Katherine

Katherine discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Katherine confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Katherine's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Katherine Anne Smith Dedrick

  • How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a business case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Katherine offer a free consultation?

    Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.

  • How long do business cases in Illinois typically take?

    Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Chicago?

    Katherine is licensed in Illinois. Matters governed by Illinois law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Katherine accepting new business clients right now?

    Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Business attorneys serving Chicago, Springfield and Northbrook in Illinois

Katherine handles business matters throughout Illinois. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Katherine's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these business attorneys in Chicago handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.