David J. Kates

For the past two decades, Mike has been assisting clients develop and defend their patent portfolios. A former Army officer and Ford Motor Company design engineer, clients appreciate Mike’s organized approach to problems and his ability to communicate with inventors across a wide swath of technologies. Mike is a full spectrum patent attorney and is himself a patentee. On the prosecution side, Mike has procured patents in nearly every art group other than bio/pharma and has an almost per...

Attorney Frank V. Cesarone believes that passion and a proactive approach are the keys to success in the legal profession. At every stage of litigation, Frank maintains an unwavering focus on his client’s best interests. Since joining Meyers & Flowers, LLC in 2013, Frank has been actively involved in the firm’s product liability and?personal injury practices. He takes pride in being a voice for victims of neglectful physicians, drug companies, and medical device manufacturers....

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

Bruno R. Marasso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Bruno R., 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 Bruno R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a practice that is national in scope, Bruce White has more than 35 years of experience in the litigation, arbitration and mediation of environmental disputes and administrative permitting and enforcement proceedings. Regardless of the difficulty or complexity of the matter, Bruce is dedicated to being client-focused and solving problems as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Bruce represents industrial and commercial businesses and governmental entities in Superfund, RCRA/HSWA,...

Dennis Myers was a partner in the Capital Markets Practice Group for nearly 25 years before becoming Of Counsel in February 2021 and retiring in February 2022. Dennis focused his practice on representing both public and private companies, including portfolio companies of private equity funds, in a wide variety of capital markets transactions involving the sale of securities. Dennis has significant experience in the following types of transactions: (i) public equity offerings, including initia...

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...

Colin Dunn is a highly successful premise liability lawyer, aviation accident attorney, and partner at Clifford Law Offices. He obtained his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, graduating magna cum laude. Mr. Dunn was eighth in his class of 169, and served on the Law Journal. During law school, he worked for the Honorable Justice Ann Williams of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals as well as for the Honorable Judge Ronald Guzman of the United States District Court for...

Chair of the firm’s Associations and Foundations group, Paula Goedert represents nonprofit organizations, including professional societies, trade associations, public charities and private foundations. Paula offers a depth of experience in guiding nonprofits through the challenges they face, and appreciates the opportunity to help make a difference. Paula serves as general or lead counsel for many national associations that represent prominent economy-drivers, industries and professiona...

Michael R. Friedberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Michael R., who practices law in Lake Forest, Illinois, has been recognized since 2013. 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.