Elizabeth O'Brien

Biography: Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner, Smith LaCien LLP Making Access to Justice a Personal Crusade A native of Evanston, Ill., and with a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Todd A. Smith, a founding partner with Brian LaCien of Smith LaCien LLP, has practiced law for over 40 years. He has won some of the largest multi-million dollar jury awards and settlements in serious personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases in Illinois. ...

Andrew DeVooght is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Andrew, 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 Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nerissa Coyle McGinn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Advertising Law. Nerissa Coyle, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nerissa Coyle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jean Gallo Wine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Jean Gallo, 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 Jean Gallo is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

John Lausch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. John, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian Murphy has been in practice in Illinois since 1989. Initially in practice with an insurance defense firm, Williams & Montgomery, in 1991, Mr. Murphy joined Hofeld and Schaffner. Since that time, he has practiced catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation on behalf of injured persons and their families. Mr. Murphy is a lifelong resident of Chicago, Illinois, and is licensed in Illinois. He has been admitted pro hac vice in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and New York. He has ...

Having served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois and Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, Jack George is a valued leader who possesses a deep knowledge of real estate law. Jack focuses his practice on real estate, land use, and zoning matters. He is instrumental in shaping the Chicago skyline, and has worked on numerous notable development projects consisting of complex elements such as zoning map amendments, planned development applications, an...

John is a nationally recognized banking attorney who advises financial institutions on regulatory, governance, and investigative matters. He regularly provides focused training sessions to boards and management on a wide range of legal and risk management topics. Working at the forefront of banking law and regulation, John is a thought leader in the field, primarily through teaching, writing, and frequent media interviews. As the Regulatory Section Leader of Barack Ferrazzano’s Financia...

Howard has always understood that business involves risk. Howard works with his clients to understand their business, their goals, and their level of risk tolerance. That understanding enables him to craft solutions that work for his clients. It is one reason why he has represented many of his clients for decades. For more than 40 years, Howard has served as a trusted lawyer and adviser to clients ranging from some of the world’s largest and best-known real estate, tech, software, and o...