James M. Theo

Craig Liljestrand is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Craig, 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 Craig is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

ATTORNEY FOR PRODUCT LIABILITY AND AVIATION LAW Richard Burke is a partner at Clifford Law Offices. He is an outstanding product liability attorney and one of the most respected aviation liability attorneys in Chicago. Mr. Burke is experienced in many complex practice areas including medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, heavy truck litigation, product liability, aviation liability, aviation litigation, airline liability, and other forms of transportation liability. Over his decades o...

Richard “Rush” Howell is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office. Recognized as a trial lawyer companies call when the issues are too important not to fight, Rush has significant experience serving as trial counsel for companies in high-profile restructuring and product liability cases and representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide array of business disputes. His practice spans commercial litigation, restructuring, data security an...

Joseph R. Lanser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Joseph R., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Doug is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice group. He manages complex real estate and financing transactions concerning properties throughout the country for a diverse group of clients, including developers, publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS), private real estate investment funds, joint ventures and financial institutions. Doug handles transactions involving multifamily apartment projects, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial sites, hotels, governme...

Julie Sirlin Pleshivoy advises high‑net‑worth families, family offices, and entrepreneurs on the full spectrum of wealth transfer and tax planning. Combining sophisticated tax knowledge with a background in investment management, she develops estate plans that safeguard family assets and support smooth transitions across generations. Leveraging her experience and an LL.M. in Federal Income Taxation, Julie brings a distinctive financial perspective to structuring business ventures, succession ...

Michael J. Zdeb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Michael J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Julie Seymour represents and counsels banks and borrowers, including hospitals, health systems, educational and cultural institutions and long-term care providers; governmental issuers; underwriters; and trustees in connection with tax-exempt and taxable financings. Since 1990, Julie has been involved in billions of dollars of tax-exempt bond financings, including fixed and variable rate structures, as well as secured and unsecured lending transactions. What do you focus on? In my finance pra...

Graham C. Grady is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice and Land Use and Zoning Law. Graham C., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Graham C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.