Seyfarth Names David Baffa as Co-Managing Partner of Chicago Office

June 24, 2026 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP has named David Baffa as the new co-managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office. He will serve alongside Tracy Billows, who will continue as co-managing partner there.

Baffa succeeds Cory Hirsch, who is stepping down as co-office managing partner after a decade where he played a defining role in shaping Chicago’s collaborative culture and deepening engagement with the broader community. He will continue to serve in other firm leadership roles.

Chicago, Seyfarth’s founding office and one of the firm’s largest, plays a central role in the firm’s national and global platform. Under the leadership of Billows and Baffa, the office is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory, expand its market presence, and further strengthen its position as a full-service destination for clients across the Midwest and beyond.

“Dave is a highly respected leader with deep roots in our Chicago office and across the legal community,” said Billows. “He brings a clear vision for growth, a collaborative leadership style, and a strong commitment to developing our talent and expanding our impact in this market. I’m excited to partner with him as we build on our momentum in Chicago.”

Baffa, a longtime Seyfarth partner, is a trusted advisor to clients on complex employment matters and has been recognized as a “Hall of Fame” lawyer for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500.

He has championed innovation at Seyfarth including technology-enabled compliance solutions such as Survey Center and Settlement Builder, which ALM recently recognized with its 2026 Legalweek Leader in Tech Law Award in the Regulatory, Governance & Compliance Technology category.

Baffa, as Chicago co-managing partner, will help lead the office’s strategic priorities, with a focus on deepening relationships with Chicago-based and Midwestern companies, strengthening Seyfarth’s engagement in the local legal and business communities, and strategically investing in talent across practice areas—both by developing the next generation of Seyfarth lawyers and by attracting strategic talent to meet clients’ evolving needs.

“I am honored to step into this role and to work alongside Tracy in a city that is central to Seyfarth’s history and its future,” said Baffa. “We see significant opportunity to deepen our relationships with companies with significant operations in Chicago and the Midwest, strengthen our presence in the business and legal community, and continue investing in the talent and innovation that help our clients meet evolving challenges.”

“Dave Baffa brings deep ties to the Chicago office, strategic leadership, and strong credibility across the firm,” said Lorie Almon, Seyfarth’s chair and managing partner. “He is a highly respected partner and trusted advisor who shares Tracy’s passion for the office and its future. We feel confident that together they will continue to lead the Chicago office with positivity and vision, working closely with the Chicago team to attain even greater heights.”

Seyfarth’s Chicago office, home to more than 160 attorneys, is the firm’s longest standing hub, rooted in the city where Seyfarth was founded in 1945 by visionary labor pioneers. Chicago today serves as a powerhouse center of excellence, delivering sophisticated counsel across the full spectrum of modern business needs. Seyfarth’s Chicago office stands at the forefront of helping clients navigate complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities in today’s dynamic marketplace.

About Seyfarth

With more than 1,000 lawyers across 19 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. The firm is recognized for its innovative approach, advancing the standard of legal service delivery in an evolving global marketplace.

Seyfarth works alongside clients to capitalize on opportunities and solve complex challenges across capabilities, including corporate, litigation, real estate, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, and executive compensation and employee benefits. Committed to collaboration and a client-centered approach, Seyfarth delivers solutions as sophisticated as the challenges clients face.