Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost (F3 Law), one of the nation’s leading education law firms, announced that Illinois-based Kriha Boucek (KB) will join the firm effective January 1, 2026. The combination will create one of the largest and most experienced education law practices in the United States, with more than 150 attorneys across 11 offices nationwide.
The move unites two firms with a shared focus on providing exceptional legal guidance to schools and educational institutions. Together, F3 Law and Kriha Boucek will offer a comprehensive range of services encompassing governance, special education, student rights, labor relations, and complex litigation. The firms aim to combine their collective experience and reach while maintaining the personalized client care that has long defined their practices.
The expansion will add new offices in Chicago and Edwardsville, Illinois, as well as St. Louis, Missouri—extending F3 Law’s presence into the Midwest. The combination positions the firm to deliver consistent, high-quality legal representation to education clients across multiple states, advancing F3’s goal of building the first truly national education law platform.
Since its founding in 2006, F3 Law has pursued a long-term strategy to grow into a firm with national reach and expertise focused solely on education. The integration with Kriha Boucek fulfills that vision while creating new professional opportunities for attorneys within a broader network of mentorship, leadership, and client engagement.
Aligned values and a shared commitment to the mission of education guide both firms. The new platform will enhance client access to a deep bench of specialized attorneys, strengthening the firm’s ability to address complex challenges at both local and national levels. Together, F3 Law and Kriha Boucek are poised to set a new benchmark for education law in the United States—trusted, experienced, and dedicated to advancing the interests of schools, students, and communities.
KEY QUOTES:
“The practice of education law is becoming increasingly national in scope. By joining forces with Kriha Boucek, we are realizing our vision of building the first truly national education law firm. Together, we’ll continue to provide the personalized attention our clients value, now supported by expanded resources, broader perspectives, and a deeper bench of experience across the country.”
Namita Brown, Managing Partner, F3 Law
“Joining F3 Law allows us to build on what has always defined our firm—our deep relationships and a steadfast commitment to education. Together, we’re creating something truly special: a national platform dedicated to advancing the mission and interests of schools and the students they serve, without losing sight of the personal, client-centered approach that has always been our hallmark.”
Shane Jones, Managing Partner, Kriha Boucek
“When we founded F3 Law in 2006, our goal was to create a firm dedicated to supporting schools through exceptional legal guidance. From the beginning, we envisioned growing over time into a leading voice in education law—one with the reach, insight, and talent to serve schools across the country. This combination makes that dream a reality. We’re growing with purpose—to better serve education and to strengthen our ability to anticipate and solve the challenges our clients face every day.”
Peter Fagen, Founding Partner, F3 Law
