learn about our history

About Us

Our Roots Run Deep.

Joseph Messer and Nicole Strickler founded Messer Strickler, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois as a boutique law firm dedicated to meeting the transactional and litigation needs of business in the Midwest and across the country. Driven by a belief that hard work, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a client-focused approach delivers top-notch results for a reasonable cost, the Firm has experienced steady growth since its inception, providing consistent representation to its clients and a dynamic work environment to its team members. In 2018, Lauren Burnette joined the Firm as a partner and opened its Jacksonville, Florida office, expanding the Firm’s practice footprint into the Southeast and the mid-Atlantic. The Firm has since added additional offices in Sacramento, California and Kansas City, Kansas, and its attorneys are licensed in more than 30 state and federal courts across the country.

Shaping the Future, Together.

Messer Strickler Burnette is dedicated to finding modern solutions to modern problems. We generate industry-wide impact with our progressive approach to the practice of law, our dedication to teamwork, and our commitment to every client.  Our attorneys draw upon each other’s expertise and resources to deliver practical and effective legal services to businesses of all sizes. We evaluate your risks, explain your options, and work with you to develop the strategy that best suits your needs.

Our Business is Your Business.

In keeping with our goal of delivering big results with a small firm touch, our practice is devoted to representing businesses in litigation, regulatory, compliance and transactional matters. We are committed to meeting the legal needs of the businesses who serve our communities by guiding them through the spectrum of challenges they encounter. From the courtroom to the boardroom, we provide custom strategies to address today’s challenges and reduce tomorrow’s risk.

Unity in Diversity.

As a certified women-owned business, we celebrate diversity and difference. Our team members each bring with them different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, which enrich our practice and enhance the depth of the services we provide. But our commitment to diversity doesn’t stop there—we recognize that when our team members thrive, our clients thrive too. As such, we reject a “one size fits all” approach to the law firm environment, recognizing that flexibility fosters success. We are partners, parents, spouses, and caretakers, and we never ask our team to put firm before family. We have deliberately developed a work environment that motivates our team members and allows everyone to maximize their full potential by walking their own path to success.

“In Diversity There Is Beauty, And There Is Strength.”

Maya Angelou