Don Sampen

Larry is chair of the firm’s Private Wealth Services practice group. He facilitates successful legal strategies for entrepreneurs, tax-exempt organizations, fiduciaries and high-net worth families and individuals. This work involves estate, gift and charitable planning issues, including business succession, tax-efficient ownership structures, sophisticated tax-exempt structures, trust and estate administration, executive benefits, life insurance and international estate planning for wea...

Norma Manjarrez is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Norma practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Norma Manjarrez since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Norma Manjarrez is held by other lawyers.

Tia C. Ghattas is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Tia C. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Tia C. Ghattas since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Tia C. Ghattas is held by other lawyers.

An accomplished trial lawyer, Tery Gonsalves draws on his prior roles as a police detective and deputy general counsel to provide strategic guidance to clients facing investigations and complex litigation matters, including regulatory and compliance counseling. As chair of the Education Team, he regularly counsels public and private institutions through the issues they face in a highly regulated landscape. Tery is a seasoned trial lawyer who has tried more than 20 cases to verdict. He represe...

Kevin Desharnais, an environmental litigator and counselor with over two decades of experience, advises clients on environmental matters covering all environmental media, including such areas as air and water permitting and enforcement, hazardous waste management, Superfund liability, and remediation of contaminated sites. He has represented clients in numerous federal and state court proceedings and administrative tribunals, defended clients against citizen enforcement suits, and negotiated ...

Rob Drobnak has significant experience in the structuring, negotiating and documentation of credit facilities for acquisitions, working capital and other general corporate purposes. Rob’s strong acumen around the entire life-cycles of finance transactions, including the negotiation, structuring and documentation of deals from inception to close, during growth and workout phases and in sale, foreclosure and other exit scenarios, helps clients to successfully navigate unexpected obstacles...

Jeffrey K. Ekeberg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Jeffrey K. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey K. Ekeberg since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeffrey K. Ekeberg is held by other lawyers.

James P. Navarre is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. James P. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized James P. Navarre since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James P. Navarre is held by other lawyers.

Jeff 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 clients rega...

Carmen D. Caruso is a trial lawyer first, and a franchise lawyer second. Carmen has tried more than 40 cases to decision in state and federal courts in Illinois and across the country. In addition, as an Arbitrator, he has presided over nearly 20 hearings in the last five years. The Carmen D. Caruso Law Firm is quite proud of the fact that it receives most of its business by referrals from other attorneys from all over the country, from former clients and from other professionals that are fam...