Christopher A. White

Mercedes Badia-Tavas provides legal and business guidance to clients on a broad range of immigration law cases, with focus on Fortune 500 and small companies alike. Mercedes supports her firm’s offices and clients across various states on immigration employment transfers and up-to-date compliance. As an immigrant herself, Mercedes finds particular fulfillment in helping companies and individuals immigrate to the United States and participate in the American dream through startups and bu...

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...

Al began as an associate in the firm of William D. Maddux & Associates from 1984. William D. Maddux became a Circuit Court Judge in Cook County in 1990 and Al became an owner of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, the successor firm to William D. Maddux & Associates at that time. Al's personal highlights include successful jury verdicts in Marion County, Indiana, Cook County, DeKalb County, Will County, Winnebago County and McHenry County, Illinois. The verdicts in DeKalb County (1993) ...

Paul McAndrews is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Paul, 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 Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John F. Kennedy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Environmental Law. John F., 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 John F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura Balson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Laura, 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 Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin Conway is a trial lawyer involved in mass torts and catastrophic injury cases. He is known throughout the United States. He is a named partner at Cooney and Conway based in Chicago, Illinois. He is a Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association . He is the recipient of the Leonard Ring Award for his significant contributions to victim's rights at trial and for advocating for the public's Right to Trial by Jury. He has been recognized by numerous local and national organizati...

Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation. The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Sta...

Jeralyn Baran is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Jeralyn, 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 Jeralyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gil Soffer, managing partner of Katten's Chicago office, has made his mark on both sides of white-collar actions. As a former federal prosecutor and senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official, he thoroughly understands the government's enforcement strategies and tactics. As an experienced white-collar defense lawyer and national co-chair of the firm's litigation practice, he devotes his practice to keeping clients out of trouble and navigating them safely through government investigations an...