David S. Birnbaum

Jeffrey J. Bakker provides strategic counsel to clients nationwide concerning every executive compensation and employee benefit matter that affects their businesses, including designing and preparing deferred compensation and equity compensation plans, maintaining ERISA and tax compliance for all qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and cash balance plans) and representing clients in Department of Labor benefits plan audits. Jeff regularly advises...

Timothy Cavanagh, Founder With more than 35 years of experience, nationally recognized trial attorney Timothy J. Cavanagh has championed the rights of personal injury victims across Illinois and throughout the country. Since founding Cavanagh Sorich Law Group in 1997, he has secured more than 75 verdicts and settlements totaling $900 million on behalf of his clients. Cavanagh’s cases have broken Illinois records, strengthened safety standards, and prompted policy change within city and ...

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.

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...

Robert Unikel is a partner in the Chicago office of Paul Hastings and is head of the Chicago and Midwest Intellectual Property practice. Mr. Unikel has a diverse practice that includes litigating patent, trade secret, and trademark cases in a variety of industries, including digital media distribution, consumer products and brands, financial products and services, auto parts, and medical devices. Mr. Unikel's extensive experience includes trying patent and trade secret cases involving varied ...

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.

Daniel Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent. Daniel, 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 Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As an advisor and counselor to entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and wealthy families and their family offices, Steve Gustafson draws upon multiple disciplines to provide integrated tax, business and financial advice. Steve’s practice has a substantial emphasis in the areas of tax and financial transactions, including structuring corporate, joint venture, commercial and real estate transactions, as well as assisting family businesses with tax and financial planning matters. He als...

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

Tom Donovan advises on patent and trademark litigation and prosecution, unfair competition and trade secret litigation, as well as a variety of licensing-related matters. Regardless of the client or the complexity of the matter at hand, Tom provides his clients with the guidance they need, in a way they can understand and apply to their daily business operations. Tom also has significant negotiation and drafting experience with software licensing, as well as patent, trademark and copyright li...