Our team

Founder/Principal
Email: amanda.blaising@c3legal.com
Phone (Direct): (312) 267-1063

Amanda dedicates her practice to counseling private foundations and public charities of all sizes. She has a distinct focus on sophisticated private foundations with focused grant-making programs, including international grantmaking. She particularly enjoys complex giving issues like fiscal sponsorships, collaborations, and individual grant programs.

Education and Honors

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2011)
• Certification in Tax Law 
• Executive Editor, Loyola Law Journal, Special Symposium (2010-2011)
• Indiana University (B.S., 2006)

Bar Admissions

• Illinois (since 2011)

Professional and Civic Activities

• American Bar Association (Member)
• Illinois State Bar Association (Member)
• Chicago Bar Association (Federal Tax Committee, Exempt Organizations Division)

Professional Recognition

• Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers®–Rising Stars Edition (2018–present: Non-Profit)
• Judicial Extern for the Hon. Judge Ronald Guzman, Northern District of Illinois, Summer 2010

Founder/Principal
Email: norah.jones@c3legal.com
Phone (Direct): (312) 267-1065

Norah’s practice focuses primarily on representing public charities and private foundations. She also advises family offices and founders in the creation and operation of new philanthropic vehicles. She has a particular passion for organizations focused on economic justice and community safety.

Education and Honors

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006) (Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief, 2005–2006)
• University of Illinois (M.U.P.P., 2001)
• University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1998)

Bar Admissions

• Illinois (since 2008)
• Wisconsin (since 2006)

Professional and Civic Activities

• Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law (Member, Board of Directors)
• American Bar Association (Member)
• Wisconsin Bar Association (Member)
• Chicago Bar Association (Former Chair, Exempt Organizations Division, Federal Tax Committee)

Professional Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Non-Profit/Charities Law, 2013–present
• Selected for inclusion in the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by Law Bulletin Publishing Company
• Recognized as Best Lawyers® 2013 Chicago Non-Profit / Charities Law "Lawyer of the Year"
  Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers®–Rising Stars Edition (2011–2016: Non-Profit)

Founder/Principal
E-mail: jodi.patt@c3legal.com
Phone (Direct): (312) 267-1064

Jodi’s practice focuses on the needs of private foundations, public charities, educational institutions, hospital foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. A significant portion of her practice involves advising high-net-worth individuals and families in the creation of creative philanthropic structures. She is particularly interested in creative grantmaking, program-related investments, and other social enterprises and collaborations that further meaningful change.

Education and Honors

• Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Certificate, Quarles & Brady Leadership Program (2018)
• Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2002)
• Associate Editor, Northwestern University Law Review, 2001–2002
• Judicial Extern to Judge Joan B. Gottschall, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Spring 2002
• University of Illinois (B.S., 1999)

Bar Admissions

• Illinois (since 2002)

Professional and Civic Activities

• Adjunct Professor, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
• Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Advisory Council (Member)
• Chicago Bar Association (Member, Former Co-Chair of the Federal Tax Committee, Exempt Organizations Division)
• American Bar Association (Member)
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Director, Executive Committee member, Secretary)
• Chicago Women in Philanthropy (Member, Former Director, Former Co-Chair of Membership Committee)

Professional Recognition

• Selected for inclusion in the "40 Illinois Attorneys under 40 to Watch," Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Chicago Lawyer Magazine, and The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2015)
• Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers®–Rising Stars Edition (2008–2017: Non-Profit)

Senior Counsel, Employment Law
E-mail: jeffrey.piell@c3legal.com
Phone (Direct): (312) 267-1055

Jeff is an experienced business advisor in the area of labor and employment law, with extensive experience with both 501(c)(3) and for-profit employers. For over 30 years, he has advised clients on employment contracts and separation agreements, employment policies, internal investigations, employee selection and discipline, wage and hour compliance, reductions in force, enforcement of restrictive covenants, WARN compliance, and business transactions. Jeff also helps clients navigate workplace disruptions and downturns related to COVID-19.

Jeff is a frequent speaker and provides client training sessions on various employment-related topics, including equal employment opportunity laws, sexual harassment, effective employment documentation, joint employer liability, social media, criminal background checks, and legislative updates.

Education and Honors

• Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1991)
• University of Michigan (B.A., highest distinction, 1988)
• University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business (Certificate of Executive Management, 2013)

Bar Admissions

• Illinois (since 1991)

Professional and Civic Activities

• American Bar Association, Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, member
• Chicago Bar Association, Labor and Employment Committee, member
• University of Michigan Alumni Association Club of Greater Chicago, president, 2013–2015, Board Member 2012-present
• Leading Lawyers Network, Employment, Labor Law, member

Professional Recognition

• Chambers USA® (2013-present) and noted as "very customer-oriented, responsive, proactive, technically strong and a great business partner"
• Best Lawyers® 2019 Chicago Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year"
• Illinois Leading Lawyer - Law Bulletin Media, ADR: Employment; Employment & Labor: Management, 2017–present
• Illinois Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor, 2014–present
• The Best Lawyers in America®, Arbitration / Mediation, 2009–present