Atty. Paul E. Slater

Atty. Paul E. Slater

A firm founder, visionary leader, and skilled litigator, Paul Slater handles high-stakes antitrust cases for private and public enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies. He pioneered the opt-out practice, representing companies as individual plaintiffs in industry-wide multidistrict antitrust litigation.

Chicago Chicago 56 Years Experience 56 year
Call (312) 641-3200

Profile Summary

About Paul E. Slater at a glance

Paul E. Slater is a litigation attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Sperling Kenny Nachwalter PA. They have 56+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1970. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association (1970). Educated at Northwestern University (J.D., 1970). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Illinois Super Lawyers (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • A firm founder, visionary leader, and skilled litigator, Paul Slater handles high-stakes antitrust cases for private and public enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies
  • He pioneered the opt-out practice, representing companies as individual plaintiffs in industry-wide multidistrict antitrust litigation
  • This practice enables clients to tailor their claims and maximize their recoveries outside of class action proceedings, which often fail to meet individual client needs
  • Mr. Slater represents clients in wide-ranging industries, including national drugstore, grocery store, and restaurant chains
  • domestic and international airlines
  • the leading air freight service provider
  • national car rental companies
  • and major shopping, internet, and media marketing companies
  • He has successfully resolved price-fixing, monopolies, customer allocation, anticompetitive vertical agreements, and other restraint-on-trade cases
  • Among his many successes are first-of-their-kind antitrust cases, including ones against credit card companies, and industry-impacting actions against pharma giants for drug overcharging
  • Clients appreciate Mr. Slater’s ability to optimize their recoveries while working out resolutions that improve the parties’ relationship and results in better business terms for the future
  • Before founding the firm, Mr. Slater taught at the University of California School of Law at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) and then at Northwestern University School of Law, where he was a professor of antitrust law and then an adjunct professor teaching an advanced antitrust law course for 35 years
  • Highly respected for his legal acumen and insight, he has been cited by the U.S
  • Supreme Court on several occasions
  • His exceptional knowledge of antitrust laws is rare, if not unrivaled

Practice Areas Explained

Paul E. Slater's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Paul E. Slater handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Paul E. Slater is one of 409,070 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Illinois →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Illinois

Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Paul E. Slater

Where is Paul E. Slater's law office located?
Paul E. Slater's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is Sperling Kenny Nachwalter PA. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Paul E. Slater handle?
Paul E. Slater focuses on litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
How long has Paul E. Slater practiced law?
Paul E. Slater has 56+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1970.
Where did Paul E. Slater go to law school?
Paul E. Slater earned their education at (J.D., 1970).
How can I contact Paul E. Slater for a consultation?
You can contact Paul E. Slater directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Paul E. Slater received?
Paul E. Slater's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Illinois Super Lawyers; Best Lawyers in America — , Antitrust Litigation, 2006-2025; Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
Northwestern University
- 1970

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Illinois Super Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Antitrust Litigation, 2006-2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Senior Statesman, Antitrust, 2003-2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers,
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Antitrust (Chicago)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Antitrust (Chicago)
- 2014

Bar Admissions

Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
Admitted: 1970

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