Harold W. "Hal" Francke

David J. Fischer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. David J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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, ...

Peter M. Siavelis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Peter M., 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 Peter M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sharone Levy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Public Finance Law. Sharone, 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 Sharone is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Olins is chair of Gould & Ratner’s Business Reorganization and Creditors’ Rights Practice and is a member of the Corporate Practice. Matt practices in the areas of business reorganization, commercial finance, creditors’ rights, restructuring and insolvency. Matt represents lenders, special servicers and various types of other creditors in loan workouts, business bankruptcy cases, commercial finance transactions, commercial foreclosures and litigation. He also rep...

Melissa A. Vallone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Melissa A., 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 Melissa A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven L. Brenneman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Steven L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chicago trial attorney Brian LaCien is a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP. He has a broad range of experience in the areas of medical malpractice, professional negligence, wrongful death, class actions, trucking litigation, product liability, aviation negligence, civil rights violations and premises liability. LaCien and Todd A. Smith, also a founding partner, have a long track record of achieving exceptional results for clients, with more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements and o...

Paul T. Fox focuses his practice in commercial litigation for more than 30 years. He regularly represents litigants in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate level, as well as before arbitration panels, mediators and other alternative dispute resolution forums. An experienced trial lawyer, Paul typically tries cases every year. He has been a member of the Trial Bar for the United States District Court in Chicago for the past 20 years. He also teaches trial advocacy at Northw...

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,...