Eli Kay-Oliphant: Career Insights and Life with Marina Squerciati
Eli Kay-Oliphant is an American lawyer and a partner at Sparacino PLLC in Chicago, where he specialises in complex commercial litigation. He is married to actress Marina Squerciati, who plays Officer Kim Burgess on NBC’s Chicago P.D.; the couple met as undergraduates at Northwestern University and married in 2016.
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Who is Eli Kay-Oliphant?
Eli Kay-Oliphant is an American lawyer known for his work in complex commercial litigation and for his marriage to actress Marina Squerciati. He is a partner at Sparacino PLLC in Chicago.
Early Life and Education of Eli Kay-Oliphant
Eli Kay-Oliphant attended Northwestern University, graduating in 2001. At Northwestern, he met Marina Squerciati, who was also an undergraduate there.
He then attended Emory University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in 2005 with honours. At Emory, he was Editor-in-Chief of the Emory Law Journal, was named a William Agnor Scholar, and received Dean’s Awards.
Eli Kay-Oliphant’s Legal Career Journey
Eli Kay-Oliphant’s legal career, in order, is as follows: associate at O’Melveny & Myers, 2005-2007; clerk to Judge W. Eugene Davis of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, August 2007-2008; associate at Latham & Watkins, 2008-January 2013; associate at Kobre & Kim to September 2014; partner at Massey & Gail LLP, September 2014-September 2020; and partner at Sparacino PLLC, from September 2020, in Chicago.
His earlier work included commercial litigation and data security matters. At Sparacino PLLC in Chicago, not Washington, D.C., he specialises in complex commercial litigation.
Eli Kay-Oliphant’s Expertise in Litigation
Eli Kay-Oliphant has a strong reputation in complex commercial litigation. He deals with difficult contracts, fraud, and business disputes, including matters involving Ponzi schemes and mortgage-backed securities. He has worked in finance, healthcare, and technology, and his work includes data privacy and security.
He has handled cases in state and federal courts, and has argued appeals before federal Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. His appellate work includes a win for Southwest Airlines in a Seventh Circuit appeal.
Board Memberships
Eli Kay-Oliphant serves on the board of the Chicago Debate Commission and on the Evening Associates Board of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Marriage to Marina Squerciati
Eli Kay-Oliphant met Marina Squerciati at Northwestern University, where they were undergraduates together. They married in 2016.
Marina Squerciati is an American actress known for playing Officer Kim Burgess on NBC’s Chicago P.D. She has been a key part of the show since its start.
On 15 February 2017, Squerciati announced her pregnancy; February 2017 was the pregnancy announcement, not the wedding. Their daughter was born in May 2017. A second baby was announced by Squerciati in December 2024 (details private).
He keeps a minimal public social-media presence and the couple do not publish their children’s names or details.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eli Kay-Oliphant |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Education | Northwestern University, 2001 |
| Further Education | Emory University School of Law, J.D. 2005, with honours |
| Parents | Paulette Kay-Oliphant and Jay Oliphant |
| Siblings | Jason, Josh, and Jenna |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Marina Squerciati |
| Children | Daughter born May 2017; a second baby was announced by Squerciati in December 2024 (details private) |
| Professional Milestones | Associate, O’Melveny & Myers, 2005-2007; clerk to Judge W. Eugene Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, August 2007-2008; associate, Latham & Watkins, 2008-January 2013 |
| Associate, Kobre & Kim, to September 2014; partner, Massey & Gail LLP, September 2014-September 2020 | |
| Partner, Sparacino PLLC, from September 2020, Chicago | |
| Board Memberships | Chicago Debate Commission; Evening Associates Board, Art Institute of Chicago |
| Bar Admissions | Illinois, New York, District of Columbia |
| Court Admissions | Various U.S. Courts of Appeals and District Courts |
Conclusion
Eli Kay-Oliphant earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law, after graduating from Northwestern University in 2001. He is a partner at Sparacino PLLC in Chicago, specialising in complex commercial litigation, and he is married to actress Marina Squerciati, whom he met at Northwestern University. They married in 2016.
