Christopher R. Barth

Brandon applies his extensive litigation experience to help his clients reach resolutions that advance their business interests. From advising motor vehicle manufacturers on disputes with their distribution networks to counseling real estate clients on disputes concerning properties they own or lend against, Brandon seeks to understand what drives his clients’ businesses and lets that guide his approach in the conference room or the courtroom. Brandon regularly counsels motor vehicle an...

Ross O. Silverman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ross O., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ross O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom is a Shareholder and Chairs the Patents and Intellectual Property Sections. An experienced attorney most active in patent prosecution, portfolio management and providing opinions of counsel, Tom drafts and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications; renders non-infringement, validity, patentability and inventorship opinions; drafts and interprets license, indemnification, employment and non-complete agreements; prepares and prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; and counse...

Clients engaged in complex commercial real estate and corporate finance transactions count on LaVon M. Johns’ experience, insight, and commitment to help them anticipate issues, address challenges, and, ultimately, get to “yes.” A consummate dealmaker who balances business savvy and legal know-how with outstanding communication skills and a deep commitment to building long-term client relationships, LaVon focuses her practice on complex commercial real estate and finance mat...

Jeffrey (Jeff) M. Holdvogt regularly counsels public and privately held companies and tax-exempt organizations on a wide range of employee benefits matters. These include the design and administration of complex pension, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, nonqualified and executive deferred compensation arrangements, fiduciary and plan investment issues under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), internal compliance reviews and voluntary correction filings, and benefit plan matters arisi...

Raiford Palmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Raiford, who practices law in Naperville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Raiford is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole K. Mann focuses her practice on all aspects of tax and estate planning, estate and trust administration and family business planning. She also has considerable experience in estate, trust and tax litigation involving disputes between and among family members, fiduciaries and beneficiaries. Nicole is a co-chair of the Firm’s Trust & Estate Controversy group. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/mann-nicole-k/

Valentina Famparska concentrates her practice on the federal income tax aspects of complex business transactions and entities, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private equity investments, formation of private equity and real estate funds, formation of joint ventures and partnerships, and management compensation. Valentina also works with the firm's health care practice, sports and sports facilities practices, financial services practice and the trusts & estates practice...

Sanford E. Perl (Sandy) concentrates on the corporate, securities and tax aspects of complex business transactions, including leveraged buy-outs of public and private companies; strategic mergers, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures; venture capital and growth equity investments; divestitures; initial public offerings; private equity fund formations; executive compensation; and debt and equity restructurings and workouts. He manages transactions in a wide variety of industries, inclu...

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...