Brian J. Smith

Ted Becker is Co-Chair of McDermott’s ERISA Litigation Team and a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. He focuses his practice on litigation under ERISA and related federal and state actions, and defense of government investigations and audits relating to employee benefit, health and welfare, and retirement plans brought by the US Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the US Department of Justice. He is a leading voice and nationally recognized p...

Martin (Marty) Tish offers strategic counsel regarding asset ownership and structure, retirement planning and charitable planning for business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, traders, charities, family offices and individuals. He has administered estates and trusts ranging in size from $500,000 to more than $100 million. Clients rely on his aptitude for minimizing their tax burdens combined with the tact and discretion he employs in managing the sensitive human concerns that often arise du...

Dennis J. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Dennis J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dennis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Zwaska is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Head of the Securities practice group, Mark Wood is a highly skilled, pragmatic and client-focused practitioner with extensive experience representing public companies and investment banks in a wide variety of ongoing and transactional matters. These include IPOs and other public offerings of equity and debt securities, as well as mergers, acquisitions and other strategic transactions. Mark is also a leading advisor to institutional investors in highly structured private investment in public ...

Janet Garetto is a partner in the IP group. Her practice spans the firm’s Trademarks & Copyrights, Patents and IP Litigation practice groups. Janet counsels clients on IP issues facing their brands. In addition, she counsels clients on patent protection and litigation prevention issues with a focus on chemical and mechanical technologies. Janet also serves as the Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody’s Chicago office. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on three main areas, ...

Howard P. Zweig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Howard P., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Megan M. Devaney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law. Megan M., 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 Megan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Colin P. Smith practices in the areas of product liability, mass tort and commercial litigation. Over the past 30 years, he has represented numerous companies in complex and consolidated product liability litigation involving product warranty and performance issues, mass disasters and serial litigation arising from claims of product defects. His experience extends to a broad array of products, especially in the automotive, electronics, construction, pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer...