Mightier Than Ever: Steve Novack, Eric Macey Share Impetus for Joining Armstrong Teasdale

From the start of Novack and Macey in 1984, founders and partners Steve Novack and Eric Macey set out to build a high-powered litigation boutique – a firm that was small, but mighty – where the lawyers could truly master the courtroom. Today, combined with Armstrong Teasdale, they feel mightier than ever.

“We never aspired to be a ‘mega-firm,’” said Novack. “We pride ourselves on taking a tailored approach to client service, and we provide concentrated teams of highly focused attorneys to try lawsuits and handle appeals. Armstrong Teasdale affords us a larger platform without sacrificing our ability to foster deep, personal relationships. The investment the firm makes in its clients is unique, and it’s been able to hold onto that as it grows.”

Armstrong Teasdale, an Am Law 200 firm with offices internationally, has doubled in size over the past five years. From Midwestern roots to the metropolitan forefront, firm leadership has expressed a commitment to growing strategically, in a way that prioritizes its clients and its people.

“As I thought about the legacy I wanted to leave for our firm, I realized that a combination would enable us to continue to grow and even better serve clients in a competitive market,” said Novack. “As we began connecting with David Braswell and Pat Rasche, I was impressed by their vision for the future of the firm, and their approach to delivering first-class legal services.”

As a native St. Louisan, Novack said he wasn’t surprised to feel a gravitational pull toward the firm during early conversations about a combination. “It’s loyalty and entrepreneurialism are proverbial Midwestern traits, but even the coastal offices employ this spirit. I knew it was the right fit.”  Novack is very active at both the trial court and appellate court levels. In the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit alone, he has won nine of his last 10 cases. He is rated by Chambers USA in the first tier of Illinois’ commercial litigators.

“It was, and is, important to us to maintain the reputation we’ve spent decades building in Chicago and beyond,” said Macey. “We look forward to sharing the work behind that reputation with clients across the country and internationally as we combine with AT.”

During Novack and Macey’s nearly 40-year history, the firm and its lawyers have achieved dozens of notable, multimillion-dollar successes across U.S. jurisdictions.  It has regularly handled large cases with and against some of the largest law firms in the country. Among others, it has successfully handled contract, partnership, trademark, real estate and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) cases. Most relevant to lawyers, it has a very successful record in defending legal malpractice and other claims against lawyers and law firms.

The duo credits much of the firm’s success to the level of personal attentiveness and energy they bring to the table.

“That is simply who we are,” said Macey. “We’re looking forward to the next chapter. It’s rare for Big Law to have a familial feeling, as we did under the Novack and Macey name. I am confident that Armstrong Teasdale is not growing for the sake of growing. Armstrong Teasdale is investing in its clients and investing in its own people, and we’re incredibly excited to be a part of that.”