Katherine G. Schnake

Kate Schnake devotes her practice to representing and advising lawyers and law firms on all aspects of the laws governing lawyers. Her professional liability defense experience includes defending lawyers and law firms against actions for civil liability and professional ethics and responsibility.

Kate is a former adjunct professor at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. Before joining Hinshaw as an attorney, she was a summer associate with the firm, as well as a paralegal.

During law school, Kate was a teaching assistant for a first-year torts course.

• Chicago Bar Association
  • Young Lawyers Section
    • Professional Committee, Co-Chair, 2016 – Present; Vice-Chair, 2014 – 2016 
• National Association of Women Lawyers
• Women's Bar Association of Illinois, Former Member
  • Joint Professional Reception Committee, Former Member
• Defense Research Institute, Former Member

• University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
  
  • Dean's List

• Moderator, "Trends in Non-Malpractice Claims Against Lawyers and Law Firms," Hinshaw’s 23rd Annual Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference (LMRM), Chicago, Illinois, March 6, 2024
• Moderator, "Settlement Agreements: When Can You Enforce Them?," Hinshaw’s 22nd Annual Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference (LMRM), Chicago, Illinois, March 8, 2023
• Co-Presenter, "Legal Ethics: Handling Difficult Client Dilemmas," NBI Webinar, Virtual Event, July 28, 2021
• "Inadvertent Disclosure of Privileged Information," Chicago Bar Association Committee Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 2016
• "Social Network Media—Will you be my Facebook Friend?" West LegalEdcenter, live webcast, May 2013
• "Three's Company: Navigating the Winding Road of the Insurer, Insured and Defense Counsel," West LegalEdcenter live webcast, March 2013
• "How to Avoid Disqualification (or a Lawsuit) with a Prospective Client," West LegalEdcenter live webcast, January 2012

• Chapter Co-Author, "United States," The Professional Negligence Law Review, Fourth Edition, August 2021
• Co-Author, "Regulation of the Legal Profession in the United States: Overview," Thomson Reuters Practical Law, June 2021
• Chapter Co-Author, "United States," The Professional Negligence Law Review, Third Edition, July 2020
• "Challenges to Collector's TCPA Consent," MAPbulletin, ACA International, July 2013

Kate has run the Chicago marathon three times in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Diabetes Action Team. She is also an active member of the equestrian world and has a passion for all things horse-related.

As an undergraduate at Millikin, Kate was a member of the varsity women's volleyball team and served as team co-captain from 2005 to 2006.

• Urban Initiatives, Associate Board Member, 2015 – Present
• Presented the debate, "Who's Side Are You On: A Discussion on the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement," for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, in November 2011