Ruben I. Gonzalez

Associate

Overview

Litigator Ruben Gonzalez embraces disruptive innovation in the legal world as an opportunity to optimize services and benefit clients. Ruben has over 10 years of client-focused, results-oriented performance through his time in management consulting and legal service. Ruben is known for thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. He proudly pursues uncertainty and meets complexity with a tireless work ethic. Ruben understands that the world around us is rapidly changing. To keep up, we have to change too.
Ruben represents clients in product liability litigation. Ruben also collaborates with clients and colleagues on internal investigations, commercial litigation, employment litigation, real estate litigation and construction litigation. Ruben enjoys anticipating client needs and counseling clients prior to litigation.

Past Experience

Ruben worked as a summer associate, diversity fellow and law clerk with Faegre Baker Daniels during law school. He gained additional experience as an extern for the University of Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education and legal intern for the Office of the General Counsel at Mondelēz International. Ruben also served as a Research Assistant to Nicole Stelle Garnett, the John P. Murphy Foundation Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. He also volunteered his time teaching street law to young people in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

Prior to law school, Ruben worked as a consultant with Deloitte Consulting and BAE Systems, advising the Defense and Homeland Security departments on cost containment, program assessment and evaluation, and program management.

Personal Interests

In his free time, Ruben runs and skis as often as he can. He still reads the print newspaper every morning and enjoys reading books on American history. Ruben also enjoys good and old-fashioned debates on federal jurisdiction.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Education

Notre Dame Law School
J.D. (2015)

George Washington University
B.A. in Political Science, cum laude (2007)

Insights & Events

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Notre Dame Law School and Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business — Small Business Pro Bono Project, 2014
  • Represented inmate in the custody of county jail alleging violation of his constitutional rights
  • Represented student in pursuit of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protected status

Professional Associations

  • Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity — Pathfinder, 2019
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, Chicago Chapter — Diversity Summer Internship Program Alumni Group 
  • Chicago Bar Association — Corporate Law Departments Section, Commercial Litigation Section
  • Illinois State Bar Association — Education Law Section, International/Immigration Law Section, Business and Securities Section
  • DuPage County Bar Association
  • The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago
  • Hispanic National Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • Organized Chicago book drive in connection with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial event, collecting books to support two Chicago-area schools
  • Alliance for Catholic Education — Young Professionals Board, Co-founding member
  • Special Olympics Illinois — Leader Council

Firm Leadership

  • Diversity and Inclusion Committee 
  • Faegre Baker Daniels Co-Chair, Diverse Lawyers Resource Group, 2017-19

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® — "Ones to Watch," Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2022-24
  • Illinois Super Lawyers — Rising Star, 2023
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-22
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-18
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
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