Annette Fernholz

Matthew M. Murphy is a partner in the Financial Restructuring group, a member of the Special Situations Group, and the chair of the Chicago Office. He advises a variety of clients in complex business reorganizations, debt restructurings, and troubled company M&A. Mr. Murphy has counseled clients up and down the capital structure through out-of-court and Chapter 11 restructuring initiatives, the purchase of or investment in distressed companies, and post-petition lending.

Steven H. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Steven H., who practices law in Bannockburn, Illinois, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill Welke focuses his practice on the tax aspects of complex business transactions and entities, including: mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts; venture capital and other private equity investments; formation of private equity funds; joint ventures and partnerships; workouts and restructurings; tax contests and controversies. Described as having “encyclopedic knowledge of tax structuring strategies” and “adept at cross-border international tax planning in the conte...

As a seasoned litigator with the added benefit of in-house experience, Maile takes pride in her in-depth understanding of her clients and their businesses so she can anticipate their needs, their pain points, and the internal and external pressures they face. With nearly 30 years of experience litigating and counseling clients in all types of commercial litigation, Maile is meticulous, responsive, tough, and strategic. Since joining Barack Ferrazzano, Maile has represented clients in commerci...

Laurie Levin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Laurie, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Nicole Berg is a Partner at Keller Postman LLC. She combines an analytical approach to the practice of law with expertise in legal strategy and briefing critical motions to deliver exceptional advocacy on behalf of plaintiffs. At Keller Postman, Nicole’s practice focuses on product liability matters. She sits on the Law & Briefing Subcommittee in the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs MDL—one of the largest group litigation matters in the United States—and is a member of the Plaint...

Stephen M. Fatum is a partner in the Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg. He concentrates his practice in the Healthcare Department. Stephen's focus has been on legal and strategic matters affecting physicians, physician organizations and not-for-profit corporations. Stephen routinely negotiates employment agreements, stock transfer agreements, operating agreements and affiliation agreements. He also defends physicians subject to disciplinary proceedings.Stephen is the former general cou...

Earl is chair of the firm’s Corporate & Securities practice group. He has extensive experience representing public and private companies and individuals in corporate, partnership and joint venture transactions. His experience includes complex mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers, restructurings, spin-offs, and divestitures. He regularly advises family offices regarding governance, succession planning, optimal investment structure, tax planning and executive...

Todd Maynes focuses his practice on the tax aspects of debt restructurings, bankruptcy and insolvency, and tax litigation. Todd has served as Chair of the Planning Committee for both the University of Chicago Federal Tax Conference and the Chicago-Kent College of Law Federal Tax Institute. He teaches bankruptcy taxation at Northwestern University School of Law and the Law School at the University of Chicago, previously taught advanced income taxation at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and has le...