Alexander I. Passo

Representation

Alex is a dying breed commercial litigator that tries numerous cases a year that essentially have to be tried. They are bet the business and retirement type cases.  He takes great pride in what he does because it makes a difference in lives. However, he is also reasonable and is able to negotiate positive results for clients based upon the knowledge that he has no issue trying a case.  While he shakes his head every day on how he got here, he is reinforced by the reality that former judges, opposing counsel, law firms, and countless clients continue to refer him matters.  He has numerous large results in trial and settlement. But credits the philosophy of growing up in “The Region”, that many litigators may have a strategy until they are punched in the face with reality.  Many don’t have that understanding.

Education and Career

Alex graduated from Purdue University and IIT Chicago-Kent Law School (magna cum laude).  He still has nightmares whether or not either actually occurred. He began his career at Patterson Law Firm while in law school.  He re-joined Patterson on August 1, 2026 as an Equity Member after spending a good chunk of time at a mid-size firm as a Partner and Co-Chair of its litigation group.  He has tried over 100 trials, administrative hearings, and preliminary injunctions.  He has also handled numerous significant appeals.  He has not kept check on what his recovery (and collection) has been for clients, but, it is well over likely over nine (9) figures.  Some of which have come against large law firms with fee-shifting provisions.  He also holds the largest disgorgement fee award on attorney’s fees in Illinois that Patterson Law Firm is aware.  He has “made new law” in several areas of commercial litigation and legal ethics.

Alex has been named in the Chicago Law Bulletin as a 40 Under Forty 2025 , Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and other various industry publications. He annually publishes articles and lectures for other attorneys on issues related to shareholder disputes, legal ethics, commercial litigation, procedural issues regarding preliminary orders, and ARDC complaints. He has also been engaged as an expert witness for legal malpractice matters.  He also serves in the Chicago Bar Association in various officer and director capacities.

Early & Personal Life

Alex was born (and resides) in Northwest Indiana – Ogden Dunes, Portage, and Miller Beach, Indiana all can lay some claim or disclaim to him.  One set of grandparents were Holocaust survivors that landed in Gary and opened a furniture store.  The other set arrived in Indianapolis, and, their drugstore has a historical marker for racial desegregation. Passo Drugs Historical Marker.

His mother was an educator and religious school principal. His father owned and managed a national business related to the production of corrugated boxes. Through the educator side, Alex was coerced (forced) into becoming an actor – which is a key attribute for trial attorneys. Through the business owner side, his father at every family dinner discussed issues at his business (contract and/or employee). All of which guided and continues to do so on his way of handling complex legal issues. But, also understanding the human aspect of these issues simultaneously.