Dillon O'Toole

Kevin Van Wart is a partner Kirkland's Chicago office, where he concentrates in complex litigation, including mass tort claims, class action lawsuits, product liability and pharmaceutical claims, and high stakes commercial disputes. Kevin has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide variety of cases throughout the country and teaches trial advocacy at the University of Chicago Law School. The National Law Journal featured Kevin's successful trial work in naming Kirkland to its 200...

Janet Garetto is a partner in the IP group. Her practice spans the firm’s Trademarks & Copyrights, Patents and IP Litigation practice groups. Janet counsels clients on IP issues facing their brands. In addition, she counsels clients on patent protection and litigation prevention issues with a focus on chemical and mechanical technologies. Janet also serves as the Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody’s Chicago office. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on three main areas, ...

Christine E. Skoczylas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Christine E., 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 Christine E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian L. Shaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Brian L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason S. Ornduff advises high net worth families, business owners, executives, professionals and celebrities on state and federal laws regarding wealth transfer to the next generation, including estate planning, estate and trust administration, and estate and gift tax issues. Jason also counsels closely-held companies on various legal issues, especially in the areas of succession planning. Jason is a past president of the Greater North Shore Estate and Financial Planning Council. He is also a...

Matthew counsels clients on invention harvesting, patent and trademark portfolio management, intellectual property acquisition, domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution, and intellectual property transactions. He has prepared and prosecuted more than 750 patent applications and appeals on behalf of clients, primarily in the mechanical, electrical, electromechanical and software arts. Additionally, Matthew conducts IP asset management for his clients, having extensive experi...

Ted Becker is Co-Chair of McDermott’s ERISA Litigation Team and a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. He focuses his practice on litigation under ERISA and related federal and state actions, and defense of government investigations and audits relating to employee benefit, health and welfare, and retirement plans brought by the US Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the US Department of Justice. He is a leading voice and nationally recognized p...

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

Gary I. Levenstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Venture Capital Law. Gary I., 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 Gary I. 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...