David S. Goles

Matthew J. Petersen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Matthew J., 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 Matthew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James (Jay) W. Kapp, III, focuses his practice on corporate bankruptcies, reorganizations (including prepackaged and prearranged bankruptcy filings), out-of-court restructurings (including distressed financings and workouts), and creditor rights representation (with an emphasis on representing bondholders, indenture trustees and other secured creditors). Jay has significant experience representing debtors and creditors (secured and unsecured) with respect to such bankruptcy and restructuring ...

William T. Gibbs is a partner at the Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Corboy & Demetrio and concentrates his practice on cases arising from railroad negligence, automobile collisions, participation in sports, unsafe pharmaceuticals or medical devices, construction negligence, medical negligence, premises liability, product liability and aviation litigation. For more than a decade at Corboy & Demetrio, Bill has obtained numerous record-setting and multi-milli...

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.

Jacob M. Mattinson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Jacob 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 Jacob M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ziemowit T. Smulkowski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Ziemowit T., 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 Ziemowit T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven (Steve) S. Scholes is the global head of McDermott’s Litigation Practice Group. His practice focuses on SEC investigations, shareholder litigation, including class and derivative actions, and internal investigations. Steve is an experienced trial lawyer, and he has tried civil, criminal and administrative cases in federal and state courts. He regularly represents clients before the Securities and Exchange Commission, state securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations, ...

Steve is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, where he represents clients in complex civil litigation matters before state and federal courts throughout the country. He has considerable experience with commercial disputes, constitutional challenges, statutory interpretation issues, and defamation and invasion of privacy suits. He is skilled at representing municipalities in cases involving so-called “locally undesirable land uses” such as airports, music amphitheat...

Stephen M. Fatum is a partner in the Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg. He concentrates his practice in the Healthcare Department. Stephen's focus has been on legal and strategic matters affecting physicians, physician organizations and not-for-profit corporations. Stephen routinely negotiates employment agreements, stock transfer agreements, operating agreements and affiliation agreements. He also defends physicians subject to disciplinary proceedings.Stephen is the former general cou...

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...