Elizabeth H. "Liz" Bray

Phil Comella is a partner in Taft’s Environmental group. His practice spans both regulatory counseling and environmental-based litigation. With over three decades of experience in environmental law and a focus on the solid and hazardous waste industry, he regularly counsels owners and operators of landfills, treatment facilities, recycling operations, and waste generators on compliance, enforcement, and litigation matters arising under environmental laws.

Michael J. Summerhill is a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice group. He is a seasoned litigator with extensive appellate and trial court level experience. He represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups in a variety of industries, including health care, software, health information technology, financial services and FinTech, medical device, consumer products, and venture capital. Mike also arbitrates commercial disputes before the American Arbitration Associa...

Earl is chair of the firm’s Corporate & Securities practice group. He has extensive experience representing public and private companies and individuals in corporate, partnership and joint venture transactions. His experience includes complex mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers, restructurings, spin-offs, and divestitures. He regularly advises family offices regarding governance, succession planning, optimal investment structure, tax planning and executive...

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

Stanley (Stan) H. Meadows, PC, advises clients on public and private offerings of securities, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate restructuring. He is a former member of the Firm’s Management Committee. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/meadows-stanley-h/

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.

Described by clients as a "phenomenal practitioner and extremely bright," Michael Hartz advises on business succession planning, tax-efficient wealth transfer into trusts for future generations and strategies for fulfilling philanthropic goals. Michael is ranked among the leading lawyers for private wealth law in Chambers High Net Worth, where his practical, effective solutions to complex problems have led to consistent recognition. With 40 years of experience in trust and estate planning and...

Tom Buranosky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Tom, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tom is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Steinmetz focuses primarily on leveraged buyouts of public and private companies, as well as recaps and joint ventures. His experience spans a wide variety of sectors, including technology, media, healthcare, industrials and retail. His principal clients include both large cap and middle cap leveraged buyout funds, located in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to his considerable transactional work, he is a trusted advisor to a number of senior PE fund managers.

Derek G. Barella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Derek G., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Derek G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.