James A. "Jim" Shimota

Mr. Leavitt is a Founding Partner with Grund & Leavitt. He has litigated a number of high profile trials and appeals in both federal and state courts.Before becoming a partner in the firm, he served as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and as a justice on the Illinois Appellate Court. This followed 20 years in a successful private practice. The Chicago Bar Association remarked when evaluating him that "he enjoys impeccable credentials" and the Chicago Council of Lawyer...

Michael T. Fishman is Co-Chair of the firm's Chicago Real Estate Practice who focuses his practice on real estate, real estate finance, private equity and real estate fund formation. His clients include institutional investors, investment advisors, public and private real estate companies, REITs and financial institutions. Michael has worked to form domestic and cross-border real estate funds and joint ventures, and regularly represents lenders on real estate projects throughout the United St...

Laura Hoey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Laura, 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 Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation. The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Sta...

Gregg Dorman is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and has more than 35 years of experience representing sellers, purchasers, landlords, tenants, owners, investors, and developers on real estate transactions across industries and asset types, including retail, office, industrial, mixed-used, healthcare, entertainment, and sports venue projects. My focus I represent clients on all aspects of complex commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, ...

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

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

Rob has more than 25 years of experience advising financial institutions on mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, recapitalizations, and contract negotiations. Clients have commented that Rob is personable, efficient, strategic, and committed to his clients’ success. Rob is a co-chair of Barack Ferrazzano’s Financial Institutions Group. Rob focuses his practice on serving financial institutions in all their corporate needs, including advising them on t...

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, ...

As a corporate attorney working with clients ranging from start-up entrepreneurs to institutional investors and established companies, Jeremy takes a collaborative, client-focused approach to helping clients understand legal and business risks and offers practical guidance to help them achieve their strategic objectives. Jeremy concentrates his practice on counseling investors (including private equity and venture capital funds and angel investors) in connection with their debt and equity inv...