Christopher "Chris" Esmits

Cara M. Houck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Cara M., 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 Cara M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patty advises employers, fund sponsors and investors on compliance with the legal rules that regulate benefit plans and funds in which benefit plans invest. Patty advises employers on the full spectrum of employee benefit matters, with a particular focus on the design, implementation and administration of broad-based pension and retirement plans, health and other welfare benefit plans, and executive compensation programs. She has extensive experience in assisting employers with unionized and ...

Recognized as a leading lawyer for commercial lending by The Legal 500 US and by Chambers USA , Scott Lyons represents finance companies, banks and other lenders who provide debt financing to support private equity-led leveraged buyouts of middle-market companies. With deep experience in the health care and tech industries, Scott's understanding of market terms and ability to execute quickly help his clients meet the intense time demands of their customers, win their next deal and strengthen ...

Thomas Y. Mandler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Thomas Y., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas Y. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jon Ballis is Chairman of the Executive Committee of Kirkland & Ellis, one of the world’s leading law firms with 6,500 professionals (including more than 3,000 attorneys) around the world committed to the highest quality legal advice and unparalleled client service. In his role, Jon is responsible for establishing and executing upon Kirkland’s strategic priorities, including advancing business initiatives and promoting a culture of performance, collaboration and collegiality. ...

Edward G. Willer is a Chicago personal injury lawyer and represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases in the areas of construction negligence, product liability, premises liability, and vehicular negligence. As a Partner at the Chicago law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, Mr. Willer has obtained numerous multi-million settlements and verdicts. His many accomplishments include a $7.5 million settlement he obtained in a federal court case for the f...

Nick is of counsel in the firm’s Securities Litigation & Regulatory practice group. A trial lawyer with 40 years of experience, he defends financial services firms and their employees in securities matters all over the country. Nick’s practice encompasses the full range of investor-based disputes and regulatory enforcement proceedings, as well as disputes arising out of employment practices in the financial services industry. He also handles internal investigations and investi...

Andy Langan has broad experience as litigation and trial counsel in a variety of commercial, antitrust, and products liability cases including class actions. He has been principal counsel to major corporate clients in high-stakes class actions alleging violations of the antitrust laws, as well as class actions alleging products liability, mass tort and breach of warranty. Andy has also been principal counsel in high-profile merger investigations and related litigation. He has tried, as lead c...

Steve Patton is of counsel to the Litigation group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Steve has extensive experience trying cases and arguing appeals in federal and state courts throughout the country in a wide variety of commercial disputes. He has also served as an advisor to senior management in a number of “bet the company” exposures and negotiated several multibillion settlements in complex disputes. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers a...

Daniel S. Kirschner is a partner at the Chicago plaintiffs’ law firm of Corboy & Demetrio. As a trial lawyer, Mr. Kirschner represents victims of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Mr, Kirschner has successfully handled cases against many of the nation’s largest insurance companies and corporations at the pretrial, trial and appellate levels in state and federal court in Illinois and throughout the United States.Mr. Kirschner concentrates his...