Anita M. Ventrelli

Biography: Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner, Smith LaCien LLP Making Access to Justice a Personal Crusade A native of Evanston, Ill., and with a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Todd A. Smith, a founding partner with Brian LaCien of Smith LaCien LLP, has practiced law for over 40 years. He has won some of the largest multi-million dollar jury awards and settlements in serious personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases in Illinois. ...

Jared Staver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jared, 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 Jared is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bruce Bonjour is former co-chair of the firm's Financial Transactions & Securitization practice and is the current chair of its Public Finance practice. Bruce has three major areas of focus: structured finance concentrating in the hospitality sector, municipal finance, serving as bond counsel as well as representing underwriters and credit enhancers, and New Markets Tax Credits. Since 1996 when he served as bond counsel for the tax exempt financing of an 800 room Hyatt Hotel located at Mc...

Described as "an absolutely first-class lawyer" with "tremendous expertise in fund formation and joint ventures" by industry publications such as The Legal 500 US, Alvin Katz has been helping real estate investors and developers close their most important deals for more than 40 years. Alvin is consistently ranked in the top tier of Chicago real estate lawyers by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, which quotes clients praising his "exceptional intelligence" and describe him ...

Edward R. Winkofsky, Chair of the Gaming Practice, focuses his practice on gaming regulatory compliance, licensure, and private equity investments in the gaming industry. He also advises clients on internal investigations and charitable gaming. Since joining the firm in 2010, Ed has served as regulatory counsel to gaming industry suppliers and operators, sports wagering and iGaming platform providers and content creators, horse tracks, video gaming route operators, lottery providers, tribal l...

Steven Jakubowski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Steven, 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 Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Monique Howery is a skilled litigator whose practice encompasses a range of complex intellectual property matters involving the development, registration, licensing, and enforcement of trademarks. Valued for her experience across a range of industries, Monique offers strategic guidance to advance her clients’ long-term business goals while protecting their legal interests. Monique is highly regarded for her ability to develop nuanced litigation strategies tailored to the unique needs of...

Cathy Miller focuses her practice on business litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts and arbitrations. Her experience includes representing clients in Telephone and Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) class action matters, real estate litigation, and routinely litigating commercial breach of contract, tortious interference, and restrictive covenant disputes. A significant portion of her practice involves handling empl...

Ken has resolved coverage issues involving an alphabet soup of insurance policies, including CGL, D&O, E&O, EPLI, PLL and WC/EL, as well as first-party property policies, crime bonds and surety bonds. He offers a deep understanding of loss-sensitive insurance programs, having litigated disputes involving workers’ compensation claim handling and deductible and retrospective premium billing. Ken also works in the trenches of product liability, professional liability and commercial...

With a background in social work and the influence of a grandfather and uncle who were passionate lawyers, Gina Arquilla DeBoni naturally gravitated towards a career in law where she could put her strong people skills and passion for helping others to good use. After law school, Gina established a successful personal injury law firm with another partner. She left the practice after six years to join the prominent firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC in June 2010 as its managing attorney. In F...