Nate Wackman represents companies in complex litigation, including civil and criminal matters, constitutional litigation, and antitrust disputes, drawing on experience in private practice and senior government service. He has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. His trial experience includes serving on a trial team in a week‑long federal jury trial that resulted in a multimillion‑dollar verdict for their client. At the appellate level, Nate has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and was the primary author of briefs in multiple federal courts of appeal and the Illinois Appellate Court. He has also been a key member of teams briefing matters before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Illinois Supreme Court.
As General Counsel to the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General, Nate served as chief legal counsel for a 120‑person office responsible for oversight across City government. In that role, he oversaw legal strategy for criminal and administrative investigations and advised the Inspector General on a wide range of constitutional, employment, procurement, and enforcement‑related matters. He was also a primary author of a major report analyzing the City of Chicago’s response to the protests and unrest following the murder of George Floyd, which received extensive national and local media coverage.
Prior to his government service, Nate practiced at a large multinational law firm, where he represented clients in high‑stakes matters in state and federal courts. He earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edith H. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before beginning his legal career, Nate was a detective and police officer with the Houston Police Department.