Dean J. Polales

Jonathan Marks helps clients — often large insurers — develop investigation, claims handling and litigation strategies to detect, prevent and deter fraud. As an Assistant US Attorney, Jonathan tried numerous federal jury trials and argued appeals before the US Court of Appeals. As a lawyer in private practice, Jonathan has handled hundreds of insurance fraud investigations and dozens of fraud litigation matters. At every stage of counseling, investigation, litigation and in court,...

Bruce Bonjour is former co-chair of the firm's Financial Transactions & Securitization practice and is the current chair of its Public Finance practice. Bruce has three major areas of focus: structured finance concentrating in the hospitality sector, municipal finance, serving as bond counsel as well as representing underwriters and credit enhancers, and New Markets Tax Credits. Since 1996 when he served as bond counsel for the tax exempt financing of an 800 room Hyatt Hotel located at Mc...

Stephen L. Ritchie is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis. Steve's practice is concentrated in the areas of complex business transactions, with a particular focus on structuring, negotiating and managing the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, venture capital and growth equity investments, restructurings and workouts. He has also served as lead counsel in the representation of numerous portfolio companies of private equity funds. P...

Michael Bonamarte IV is a skilled and passionate attorney who has achieved outstanding results in a number of high-profile nursing home, wrongful death, medical malpractice and personal injury cases. His commitment to his clients is rooted in a family legacy of love of the law and meaningful service to those in need, with a special respect and admiration for the elders that our society so often fails to honor. Professional Accolades & Leadership Roles Mike is a member of the Chicago Bar A...

Catherine Basque Weiler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Catherine, 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 Catherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kenneth A. Jenero is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kenneth A., 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 Kenneth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sondra A. Hemeryck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Sondra A., 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 Sondra A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ken is a senior member of Kirkland’s dynamic Asset Finance & Securitization Practice Group. According to Chambers 2021, sources consider Ken to be one of the "godfathers of the auto finance industry." Since 1990, he has handled securitizations and principal finance matters involving a variety of asset classes on behalf of originators, underwriters, platform agents, principal finance groups and conduit sponsors. Ken has been extremely active in ABS reform matters. He participated in ...

Neil T. Kawashima has a diverse practice, representing wealthy individuals and families on matters related to estate and gift planning, business succession and governance, and estate and trust administration. Neil’s clients include owners of privately-held businesses, beneficiaries of long-term trusts, fiduciaries and entrepreneurs. Neil has advised his clients regarding traditional and novel uses of trusts, wealth transfer strategies, business control mechanisms such as voting trusts a...

David A. Herpe is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, based in the Firm’s Chicago office. As a member of the Private Client Group, he counsels families, business owners, executives and individuals on all aspects of sophisticated estate and wealth transfer planning and related matters, including the preparation, administration and construction of wills and trusts, fiduciary income taxation, federal estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, charitable gift planning, f...