Grace Winkler Cranley

Partner

Grace is an experienced commercial litigator who focuses her practice primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, construction, surety bond, and fidelity matters. Her practical approach to resolving issues and problems ensures her clients’ needs are met in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Having assisted clients through both litigation and transactional matters, she is able to tailor her approach to protect her clients and help them reach their intended resolution.

From drafting and negotiating contracts to defending and prosecuting construction-related disputes, Grace is uniquely qualified to timely and efficiently assist owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and specialty consultants on construction matters. She regularly counsels and advises clients in transactional matters including the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts through project completion and dispute resolution, if necessary.

Grace also represents sureties in matters dealing with all types of surety bonds, including payment and performance bonds, appeal bonds, probate bonds, subdivision bonds, motor carrier bonds, wage and welfare, and other fringe benefit bonds. She assists in claims investigations and provides counseling and opinions on fidelity matters involving commercial crime policies and other financial institution bond coverages. 

She is a frequent author and speaker on construction, surety, and fidelity matters. She has presented programs for the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, National Bond Claims Association, Chicago Surety Claims Association, Eastern Bond Claims Association, as well as for claims adjusters seeking CE certification. 

Credentials

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D.)

University of Illinois (B.A.)

Bar admissions

  • Illinois

Court admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Affiliations and memberships

  • American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee, vice chair
  • American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Forum on Construction Law
  • Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys
  • National Bond Claims Association
  • Chicago Surety Claims Association, officer

Publications
  • March 31, 2020

    Construction Impacted by Coronavirus? Know Your Lien Rights

  • March 25, 2020

    The COVID-19 Potential Impact on Contract Surety

  • March 24, 2020

    Construction Not Deemed ‘Critical’ Service in Michigan Stay-at-Home Order

  • March 23, 2020

    Construction Projects Can Proceed During Illinois Stay at Home Order

  • January 31, 2020

    The Final Diagnosis: Taking a Deeper Look at Ethical Issues

News
  • June 5, 2023

    Dinsmore Climbs Two More Spots on “Top 50 Construction Law Firms” List

Events
  • April 2, 2020

    COVID-19: Legal Issues for the Construction Industry

  • January 31, 2020

    The Final Diagnosis: Taking a Deeper Look at Ethical Issues