Whitney Siehl

Whitney K. Siehl is a Plaintiffs’ litigator focused on complex class-actions in the areas of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, antitrust, mass torts, consumer protection, and sports law at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLP. Whitney’s notable cases include representing the actress and entertainment industry class against Harvey Weinstein and related companies for sex trafficking, racketeering, and sexual assault, and a class of women against Dr. George Tyndall and USC for sexual abuse resulting in a $215 Million settlement — the largest ever class action settlement of sexual assault claims and the first to incorporate equitable relief reforms to bring lasting institutional change. She is also representing a class of youth athletes against USA Waterpolo for failing to implement concussion management protocols, home sellers against the National Association of Realtors for antitrust violations for buyer broker commissions, passengers on United, Delta, and American Airlines for failing to issue refunds for COVID-19 related cancellations, students at numerous colleges and universities seeking refunds for Spring 2020 tuition, room and board, among other cases.

Whitney played a significant role in $4 million, $3.5 million, and $3 million settlements for children with severe brain damage at birth. In 2019 and 2020, she was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Illinois. In 2017, she received an Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for her dedication to representing underserved individuals.

Whitney is proud to serve as the First Vice President this year, served as the Financial Secretary last bar year, served as the Recording Secretary from 2019-2020, and served as a Director of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois from 2017-2019. She is co-chairing the Judicial Evaluations Committee, chairing the Bylaws Committee, and co-chairing the Annual Golf Outing this bar year. She has chaired the Golf Outing since 2015 and the Judicial Reception since 2019. She has also chaired the Annual Dinner Ad Book Committee, Civil Litigation Committee, Race Judicata Committee, Mentoring Committee, and Young Lawyer Committee, and has served as a member of various other committees.

Whitney received her J.D., cum laude, from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law with a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She was a member of the 2013 Sutherland Cup National Champion Constitutional Law Moot Court Team. She was a recipient of the Albert A. Levin Memorial Award for excellence in Professional Responsibility and was honored as a Public Service Fellow with Dean’s Special Recognition. Whitney received the CALI award for Highest Grade in the Legislation Clinic, Dispute Systems Design, and Comparative Legal Professions.

Whitney graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in English Literature. At Northwestern, she was a member of the Women’s Golf Team. She was previously a member of the Miami University cross country and track teams, where the cross country team was selected as NCAA Academic All-Americans. As a four-sport athlete, Whitney was recently inducted into the Port Clinton High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Outside of the law, Whitney enjoys epic feats of endurance and serves as a pace group leader for Chicago Marathon training. To date, she has completed 11 marathons, a half Iron distance triathlon, and numerous short course triathlons. She recently completed the 2019 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco. She is a member of the Professional Board of PAWS Chicago and Team PAWS Chicago, the marathon fundraising team of the Midwest’s largest no-kill animal shelter. During quarantine she is working on perfecting the art of vegan cooking and baking.