Jamal M. Edwards

The Quintessential Renaissance Man and Consigliere. Jamal is a nationally recognized lawyer and thought leader at the crossroads of law, business, and personal transformation. He is the co-founder and Managing Partner of ExL LLP , which is a leading minority- and LGBTQ-owned boutique built around one idea: exponentially excellent lawyering for the people and companies who build things. We focus on professional ethics, real estate and asset protection, long-term wealth preservation, IP, and fractional/outside general counsel services for entrepreneurs, investors, and growth-stage businesses. When disputes arise, we take a selective, strategic approach—appellate work, litigation management, and impact cases in civil rights, consumer protection, and executive employment—so our clients stay focused on growth, not distractions.

A Detroit native and 1996 U.S. Olympic Torchbearer, Jamal’s career spans decades of high-impact leadership. He began as an executive at Equifax before graduating with honors from the University of Michigan Law School. Jamal made partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, one of the world’s most prestigious law firms, then transitioned to CEO roles leading major turnarounds in healthcare, technology, and real estate—including the nationally recognized revival of Chicago’s Howard Brown Health Center. His leadership earned him a coveted spot on Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40” list in 2011.

Jamal co-founded the Edwards Maxson Mago & Macaulay LLP (“EM3”), recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report, and which grew from 5 to over 25 lawyers in the 3 years he served as Managing Partner. He has represented Fortune 500 giants such as Apple, Intel, GM, Motorola, and Harman International and served as Corporate Counsel to IBM. He’s been repeatedly named a Super Lawyer®, a Top 100 Black Lawyer, and he was recently named to Law Dragon’s 2025 List of the Top 500 Litigators in the U.S.

Currently, Jamal Managing Partner and CEO of EXL LLP, a minority owned firm which is already gaining national recognition.

An accomplished keynote speaker, Jamal has delivered addresses for organizations including the American Marketing Association, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Illinois Diversity Council. He's been featured in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago and Detroit, Chicago Sun-Times, and Modern Counsel Magazine.

Jamal has been a CEO and Executive Coach through Vistage Worldwide, and is a Certified Life Coach with Jay Shetty Coaching School.

Jamal recently exited as a board member for Atlas Technology Solutions, Inc., after helping guide the company through multiple successful capital raises. He remains civically and philanthropically active, serving on several corporate and nonprofit boards.

Jamal enjoys cooking, boating, playing piano, and singing karaoke outside of work. Above all, he is a devoted father to his teenage son - his proudest role.

*** Licensed in Illinois and Michigan.