Biography
Kristen Seeger is the co-leader of Sidley’s global Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She focuses her practice on the successful resolution of shareholder-related disputes, including shareholder demands, derivative litigation, and securities class actions; complex commercial disputes; and the defense of SEC enforcement matters. Kristen has provided critical advice to some of the world’s leading companies as they respond to shareholder demands and government investigations, and she conducts investigations for boards and represents special committees on high-profile and sensitive matters. She has successfully defended corporations, officers and directors, financial institutions, and accounting firms in complex, high-stakes litigation in courts throughout the country. Clients regularly turn to her as a trusted and strategic advisor across a spectrum of business and governance challenges, involving her in their most complex and weighty issues.
Chambers USA recognizes Kristen in Band 1 for her work in Litigation: Securities in Illinois (2021–2025), and clients commented in the 2025 edition that: “Kristen is one of the best lawyers I work with. She is responsive, commercial and empathetic. She demonstrates a great ability to navigate complicated business challenges” and “Kristen is a sound counsellor with deep experience in the most complex matters. She has an amazing ability to connect with executives and board members.” Chambers also has quoted clients saying that Kristen is: “an essential adviser, strong advocate, and champion of our brand” (2024); “an amazing lawyer; she’s very smart, client-focused, innovative, and resourceful” (2022); “an exceptionally strong and capable lawyer who is always remarkably prepared. She has a calmness of manner that relieves difficulties and inspires confidence” (2021). Chambers USA also listed Kristen as a “Notable Practitioner” in Sidley’s Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice, which is regularly ranked Band 1 for Illinois Litigation: Securities (2020–2025). The 2024 edition praises the group as “a dominant and highly acclaimed practice that demonstrates outstanding expertise across the board in litigation, appearing in some of the most significant civil cases in the market.” Kristen was shortlisted for “Securities Litigator of the Year” in 2023 and 2024 by Women in Business Law. Crain’s Chicago Business named her one of its “Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys” in 2023, one of its “Notable Women in Law” in 2022, and a “Notable Gen X Leader in Law” in 2021.
Kristen is deeply involved in both firm and civic life. Within Sidley, in addition to her Executive Committee and global practice leader roles, Kristen is firmwide co-chair of the Committee for the Evaluation and Compensation of Associates and serves on the Inclusion Committee. She serves on the board of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, the board of Leadership Greater Chicago, and is the past board chair and current emeritus board member of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Kristen also is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and member of the Daniel Burnham Fellowship cohort of senior executives in Chicago.
