Key Takeaways
- Jackson Walker earned a top‑tier ranking in the Technology: Corporate & Commercial category of the 2026 Chambers USA Guide.
- Partners Stephanie Chandler (Technology chair) and Michelle Kwan were singled out as leading Texas attorneys in this practice area.
- The firm’s Corporate & Securities practice has grown rapidly, driven by its expanding technology focus and the leadership of Chandler and Kwan.
- Chambers highlighted Jackson Walker’s strength in sophisticated M&A, venture‑capital transactions, licensing agreements, and strategic investments.
- Clients praised Chandler for her broad, outside‑general‑counsel perspective and Michelle Kwan for responsiveness, commercial awareness, and effective negotiation.
- The Technology practice offers end‑to‑end counsel on licensing, outsourcing, SaaS/ASP agreements, e‑commerce policies, joint ventures, securities issuance, M&A of tech assets, and technology‑related insurance coverage.
- Prospective clients are invited to explore the firm’s detailed technology‑practice page and view the full Chambers ranking announcement for more information.
Announcement of Jackson Walker’s Chambers USA Ranking
Jackson Walker announced that the firm has been ranked among the top law firms in Texas for the Technology: Corporate & Commercial practice area in the prestigious 2026 Chambers USA Guide. The recognition reflects the firm’s growing reputation and depth of expertise in advising technology‑focused clients on complex corporate matters. Chambers USA guides are produced each year after thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients conducted by over 200 research analysts, making the accolade a reliable indicator of market leadership. Jackson Walker’s placement underscores its ability to deliver high‑quality counsel in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Overview of Chambers & Partners’ Ranking Methodology
Chambers and Partners releases its flagship guides annually, drawing on extensive research that includes interviews with both practitioners and their clients. Over 200 analysts gather insights on firm capabilities, lawyer expertise, and client satisfaction across numerous practice areas and jurisdictions. The resulting rankings are widely regarded as benchmarks for excellence in the legal profession. For the 2026 edition, Chambers evaluated technology‑related corporate work across the United States, paying particular attention to matters such as mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, licensing, and strategic investments. Jackson Walker’s strong performance in these areas contributed to its notable placement.
Growth of Jackson Walker’s Corporate & Securities Practice
The firm’s Corporate & Securities practice has experienced significant expansion, especially within its technology segment. This growth has been propelled by the leadership of Stephanie Chandler, who serves as the Technology chair and a founding member of the JWStartup initiative, and the addition of Michelle Kwan, an experienced emerging‑growth and venture‑capital attorney. Their combined expertise has broadened the firm’s capability to serve clients from early‑stage startups through major liquidity events. The upward trajectory of the practice is evident in the Chambers recognition, which signals both deep experience and increasing prominence in the technology‑law arena.
Chambers Commentary on Jackson Walker’s Technology Practice
In the 2026 Chambers USA Guide, the firm received specific praise for its work in the technology space. Chambers noted that clients turn to Jackson Walker’s lawyers for counsel on sophisticated M&A transactions, venture‑capital matters, and licensing agreements. The commentary highlighted the firm’s ability to navigate complex corporate structures while addressing the nuanced legal issues that arise in technology‑driven deals. This acknowledgment validates the firm’s strategic focus on delivering tailored, high‑value solutions to clients operating in fast‑moving tech sectors.
Stephanie Chandler: Leadership and Client Impact
Stephanie Chandler is described as the Firm’s Technology chair and a founding member of JWStartup, with a track record of guiding clients from the earliest stages of development through significant liquidity events. She often acts as outside general counsel, managing the legal issues associated with each growth phase. Chandler’s ability to maintain a broad‑based perspective enables her to anticipate challenges and provide strategic advice that aligns with clients’ business objectives. A client interviewed by Chambers lauded her, stating: “Stephanie is phenomenal in her own right. There seems to be no limit to the knowledge she can bring to bear in a deal.” This testimonial underscores her reputation as a versatile and deeply knowledgeable advisor.
Client Feedback on Stephanie Chandler’s Expertise
The client quote featured in Chambers emphasizes Chandler’s exceptional depth of knowledge and her capacity to contribute meaningfully to complex transactions. By serving as an outside general counsel, she integrates legal considerations with business strategy, helping clients navigate financing rounds, intellectual‑property protections, and regulatory compliance. Her approach fosters long‑term partnerships, as she remains engaged throughout multiple stages of a company’s lifecycle. Such feedback highlights why Chandler is regarded as a go‑to advisor for technology entrepreneurs and investors seeking comprehensive, stage‑appropriate counsel.
Michelle Kwan: Emerging‑Growth and Venture‑Capital Focus
Michelle Kwan concentrates her practice on emerging‑growth and venture‑capital matters, advising clients on corporate venture capital, strategic investments, equity financings, public and private offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. She regularly counsels corporate venture‑capital arms, strategic investors, investment funds, issuers, and other venture‑capital participants on a broad spectrum of portfolio‑company issues, including governance, exit readiness, and strategic partnerships. Kwan’s expertise enables her to structure transactions that balance risk and opportunity while aligning with market best practices.
Client Feedback on Michelle Kwan’s Responsiveness and Knowledge
Clients interviewed by Chambers praised Michelle Kwan for her responsiveness, effective communication, and strong negotiation skills. One client remarked: “Michelle is very responsive and very effective at communicating and negotiating.” Another noted her commercial awareness, stating: “She is very knowledgeable and has got good commercial awareness. We go to her for what is best practice and what is market.” These comments reflect Kwan’s ability to deliver timely, practical advice that meets the dynamic needs of technology‑focused clients, reinforcing her standing as a leading attorney in the field.
Description of Jackson Walker’s Technology Practice Services
Jackson Walker’s technology group leverages the firm’s e‑commerce background to provide comprehensive counsel on all aspects of an online presence. The team assists clients with issues ranging from linking and framing, portal development, and application service provision to security, site‑usage jurisdiction, privacy, taxation, and other internet‑related concerns. Their resources and commitment enable them to respond swiftly to the rapidly changing business environment while delivering cost‑effective solutions. Whether representing a startup or an established brick‑and‑mortar operation, the firm crafts technology strategies and devises creative answers to complex, technology‑impacted relationships.
Specific Areas of Technology Counsel Offered
The practice’s service portfolio includes:
- Inbound and outbound technology licensing, covering software licensing agreements, installation and maintenance contracts, value‑added reseller arrangements, and consulting service agreements.
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) arrangements.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) and Application Service Provider (ASP) agreements.
- Website policies and e‑commerce contracts, such as terms of use, privacy policies, and electronic signature mechanisms (click‑wrap, clickthrough, and browsewrap).
- Joint development, partnering, and joint‑venture agreements with a technology focus.
- Investment in technology companies, including securities issuance via public offerings (with SEC compliance) and private equity placements.
- Acquisition or disposition of technology companies and their assets, including intellectual property due diligence related to acquisitions and licensing.
- Technology insurance coverage, addressing risks such as hacking and e‑commerce liabilities.
These offerings illustrate the firm’s capability to handle the full lifecycle of technology‑related legal needs, from formation and financing to growth, collaboration, and exit.
Invitation to Explore Further
Prospective clients and industry partners are encouraged to visit Jackson Walker’s dedicated technology‑practice page for detailed information on the firm’s experience and team credentials. Additionally, the full list of Jackson Walker’s rankings in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide, along with the firm’s Chambers profile, can be accessed through the firm’s announcement link. These resources provide deeper insight into how Jackson Walker continues to support technology clients with strategic, high‑quality legal counsel.