Brian L. Hengesbaugh

Joseph T. Murphy, partner at Clifford Law Offices, comes with a great deal of experience in the law since he was sworn in Illinois in 2012. He formerly was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he prosecuted misdemeanor and felony offenses in federal court. He also previously served as chief of federal litigation for the 101 st Airborne Division while serving as an attorney...

James Hallagan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. James, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael R. Strong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Michael 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 Michael R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristen Hudson represents businesses and business people in complex commercial litigation and product liability cases in state and federal courts in Texas, Illinois and across the country. Most recently, in early 2022, Kristen was part of a trial team that received a defense verdict in a four-week jury trial in Illinois involving significant eight-figure liability for alleged benzene exposure in the printing industry. In 2021, Kristen successfully defeated three separate attempts at a tempora...

Chuck is a pragmatic, solution-oriented real estate attorney whose clients rely upon to handle their most complex and high-priority transactions. He is analytical, strategic, and creative. Chuck is a skilled negotiator, with a deep understanding of his clients’ goals and the experience and business acumen necessary to help them achieve those goals. As a partner in Barack Ferrazzano’s Real Estate Group, Chuck’s practice focuses primarily on real estate finance, and the acquis...

Ken is a senior member of Kirkland’s dynamic Asset Finance & Securitization Practice Group. According to Chambers 2021, sources consider Ken to be one of the "godfathers of the auto finance industry." Since 1990, he has handled securitizations and principal finance matters involving a variety of asset classes on behalf of originators, underwriters, platform agents, principal finance groups and conduit sponsors. Ken has been extremely active in ABS reform matters. He participated in ...

David represents management nationwide in virtually all areas of labor and employment law. David’s goal is to identify what each client seeks to achieve and then realize that end. David’s dedication to service is manifest in his accessibility to the clients he serves. A direct communicator, David is valued by clients and colleagues alike for providing practical and on-point legal advice, clear answers to complex questions, and workable business solutions. With more than 30 years o...

Julia Mano Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Julia Mano, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julia Mano is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristen Laughridge Gale is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP, in Chicago. She has broad experience in litigation and enforcement-related issues, including private cost recovery, the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, underground storage tanks, CERCLA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Ms. Gale has successfully represented clients in regulatory disputes and negotiations with both state and federal agencies, including defending enforcement acti...

Todd Schafer is recognized as one of the best trial lawyers of his generation. As the son of founding partner Timothy Schafer, Todd was immersed in the courtroom at an early stage of his career and was given an opportunity to try many cases at a young age. Demonstrating exceptional skill and tenacity, he quickly earned a reputation for winning challenging cases and achieving remarkable results, even in conservative jurisdictions. At just 30 years old, Todd secured a landmark $32.5 million ver...