About J. Andrew
J. Andrew Brabender earned his law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. He carried academic study into practice early in his career. The combination of a law school education and an undergraduate focus on criminal justice shaped his path into litigation and client work.
His first notable legal post came in 2007 at The Cochran Firm, where he worked as a lawyer and law clerk. That period offered early courtroom exposure and practical training under experienced trial attorneys. In 2011 he returned to the academic side of the law as an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, teaching students while continuing his practice. The following year he took an entrepreneurial step and became an owner at Brabender & Chiang in 2012.
Over time his responsibilities expanded beyond casework. He has balanced private practice with teaching and organizational involvement. His positions have combined client representation, firm management, and mentorship of younger lawyers and law students. The mix of these roles has shaped how he approaches matters and interacts with colleagues and clients.
Brabender maintains active ties to the legal community through several bar associations. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Asian American Bar Association. He also serves on the Associate Board of the Legal Aid Society at Metropolitan Family Services and has taken on the role of Development Committee Chair. His volunteer work includes serving as a guardianship volunteer for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and participating in the West Cook County Pro Bono Network.
He currently practices from Brabender Law LLC in Illinois. His practice reflects years spent in courtrooms, classrooms, and community organizations. He represents clients and handles legal matters arising under Illinois law.
