Aaron-Michael Sapp

You often hear about small-town values from big-city attorneys in commercials, but Jim McPhedran, who grew up on a farm outside Oglesby, took his small-town values to Chicago and brought back his law degree to help the people of the Illinois Valley. He remains as committed to his community today as he was as a new lawyer over three decades ago. "I learned a long time ago that you treat all clients the same," said Jim McPhedran. "Each deserves the same level of respect, consideration, and hard...

John G. Caruso is a partner in the Real Estate Group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. John represents and counsels clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, including financings/commercial lending, acquisitions, dispositions, synthetic lease and sale-leaseback transactions, commercial leases, rights-of-way and easement agreements and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions. John actively represents clients in structuring joint ventures for the acquisit...

Michael leads Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Private Equity, Venture Capital & Growth Companies practice, as well as its Fund Formation & Investment Management practice. Michael primarily represents private equity sponsors, venture investors, private funds, private equity and venture-backed companies, executives, and family offices. His extensive experience in complex transactional and corporate governance matters makes him an invaluable asset to his clients, who turn to him for advice...

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney and litigator who advocates for his clients in all family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C. in early 2009. Prior to starting the firm, Jonathan worked at another Chicago-based family law practice for many years. Jonathan has grown his firm to include 4 other attorneys, an excellent staff and an additional office location in the suburbs. Jonathan has a great deal of e...

Adam R. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Sports Law. Adam R., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles A. Porretta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Charles A., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill Arnault is a litigation partner in the Firm’s Chicago office. He focuses his practice in the restructuring context. He also has extensive experience litigating complex commercial cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the United States, including contract, energy, fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, bankruptcy, and employment cases. He has chaired or co-led multiple trials and hearings, including disputes involving Parker Drilling Company, Emerald Oil, In...

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, John grew up working in his family’s restaurant and then stayed local attending both Northwestern University (B.A.) and Notre Dame Law School (J.D.). As a first generation Greek American, John witnessed the difficulties that immigrants can experience while adapting to a new culture. He also experienced the importance of community in helping people to assimilate and understand how to become part of that new culture. He is fluent in Greek and has b...

Catherine (Cate) A. Battin represents clients in state and local tax controversies at the audit, administrative and judicial levels in numerous jurisdictions. She provides national state tax strategies for clients on a full range of state tax issues, including income tax apportionment, nexus, combination and sales tax characterization of products and services. She has defended numerous internet sellers in cases brought under the Illinois False Claims Act alleging fraudulent failures to collec...

Mr. del Hierro is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group of Kirkland & Ellis and heads our bank regulatory practice. He has more than 30 years of experience in representing banks and bank holding companies, thrifts and thrift holding companies, payments and fintech companies, investment banks and institutional lenders in connection with regulatory issues relating to capital formation transactions, mergers and acquisitions and complex financings. He has significant experience representi...