Liz Darke and Andrew Scott Named to Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Gen X Leaders” List

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Liz Darke and Andrew Scott were each named to the Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law” list. Crain’s Chicago Business published a special feature of this list, including honoree profiles, on December 8, 2022.

According to the publication this honor recognizes individuals in accounting, consulting, and law who are serving in a senior leadership position and have shown the ability to effect change in their role and in their area of practice at their firm. They serve as roles models to other individuals in their field and promote inclusive practices in the workplace.

Darke serves as Dykema’s Professional Personnel Member, managing associates, senior attorneys, staff attorneys and paralegals. She works with the firm’s Directors and Executive Board in recommending and promoting policies affecting more than 150 firm attorneys. She mentors law school students and younger attorneys to help them navigate life at the firm.

In addition, Darke serves on the Executive Committee of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, as well as the Mansfield Task Force. In her practice, Darke represents institutional lenders in complex lending transactions, landlords and tenants in commercial leasing matters, and advises clients regarding the acquisition and disposition of real estate. She earned a J.D., cum laude, from State University of New York at Buffalo, and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Syracuse University.

Through his zoning work, Scott has been an integral part of the cannabis industry’s expansion in Chicagoland and Illinois. He has represented multiple recreational cannabis clients in securing zoning and entitlements for dispensaries and municipalities, including analyzing sites for feasibility, preparing applications, managing consultant teams, engaging with community and elected officials, preparation and review of authoring ordinances and presentation of zoning cases to Plan Commissions, Zoning Boards of Appeal, City Councils and Village Boards.

Scott mentors the firm’s younger attorneys on these cannabis matters, ensuring they understand the industry, the context in which applications are filed, and providing them opportunities to participate in legislative approval processes. Scott earned a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, and a B.A. from Tufts University.