Elaine H. Knowles

As a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group, Emer focuses her practice on patent litigation and counseling in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With extensive experience representing clients in Hatch-Waxman and patent infringement disputes in federal court and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), she deftly guides clients through complex legal and regulatory landscapes. Emer frequently partners with pharma and biotech clients early in the product lifecy...

Francis A. Citera is Co-Chair of the firm's Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Chicago Litigation Practice. Frank has 30 years of experience defending purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and other complex litigation in both federal and state courts. He has tried many cases, including an action by the Government to enforce a unilateral administrative order, an allocation case among potentially responsible parties, and a complex product liability, ...

Kristen Laughridge Gale is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP, in Chicago. She has broad experience in litigation and enforcement-related issues, including private cost recovery, the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, underground storage tanks, CERCLA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Ms. Gale has successfully represented clients in regulatory disputes and negotiations with both state and federal agencies, including defending enforcement acti...

Scott Alsterda concentrates his practice on counseling and litigation in pursuit of his clients’ business interests and opportunities in financially troubled situations. He also serves as a Chapter 7 trustee in commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on a variety of issues including enforcement of contract rights, pursuit of claims and remedies against third parties, defense of claims against my clients and the pursuit of business interests an...

Scott is a trial lawyer who concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on class actions. He was formerly managing partner of the firm, and served on its Executive Committee. Scott has considerable jury and nonjury trial experience, and represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He has advocated for clients in a broad range of matters, including antitrust, fraud and business torts, health care, breach of contract and...

Nicholas Berg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Nicholas practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Nicholas Berg since 2021. 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 Nicholas Berg is held by other lawyers.

Bhavani Raveendran is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Bhavani practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Bhavani Raveendran since 2025. 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 Bhavani Raveendran is held by other lawyers.

John Gatz is a patent attorney who concentrates his practice on patent prosecution, patent counseling and patent litigation. John has extensive experience in the life sciences and manufacturing industries. My focus Patent Prosecution/Counseling I prosecute patents and counsel clients in a number of mechanical- and chemical-related technologies including: biomechanical devices, chemical products and processes, sensor-dispensing instruments, analyte meters, test sensors, non-invasive processes,...

Don Rocap’s practice focuses on the tax and structuring aspects of acquisitions, dispositions, and reorganizations and private equity fund formations. Described by sources as a "significant force” in the team when it comes to the tax aspects of corporate transactions, Don is known for “bringing a level of sophistication that’s two or three levels up from anybody else.” He has been selected as one of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Tax by Chambers ...

Peter S. Coorlas is a senior associate of the Chicago law firm Peck Ritchey, LLC . Peter was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County for 30 years, serving in the Special Litigation and Municipal Litigation Sections of the Civil Actions Bureau. Although Peter served in various areas while at the State’s Attorneys Office, he has primarily represented the interests of Cook County in probate matters, spending much of his time on contested litigation, including will contests, con...