Jennifer L. Smith

Jeff is an experienced trial lawyer and business advisor in the area of labor and employment law. Jeff advises clients on wage and hour compliance, reductions in force, enforcement of restrictive covenants, employment contracts and separation agreements, employee selection and discipline, WARN compliance, employment policies, internal investigations and business transactions. He has spoken on several employment-related topics, including effective employment documentation, joint employer liabi...

Jesse A. Footlik is a Partner with Peck Ritchey, LLC. In addition to representing individuals and families as heirs and beneficiaries, Jesse represents corporate and individual fiduciaries, including financial institutions and healthcare providers. Further, Jesse regularly advises clients involved in various Power of Attorney (POA) disputes, breach of fiduciary duty cases, contested heirships, wrongful death dependency hearings, and will and trust construction or interpretation matters. For o...

David W. Wirt is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. David W. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized David W. Wirt since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David W. Wirt is held by other l...

Leah is chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Hospitality and Leisure Practice Group. She develops legal strategies for clients, both real estate investors and clients in other industries who are heavy real estate users, in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions; mortgage and mezzanine financing transactions; commercial leases, hotel management and franchise agreements, co-living and property...

Paul D. Richter is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Paul D. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Paul D. Richter since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Paul D. Richter is held by other lawyers.

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,...

Joseph Balesteri is an attorney with Power Rogers LLP in Chicago, Illinois . He represents individuals and families in complex litigation involving Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs . His work in these areas has been recognized by Best Lawyers. Over the course of his career, Joe has helped secure more than $800 million in recoveries for injured clients and their families. A significant portion of his practice focuses on medical negligence cases, ...

Matthew R. Kipp concentrates in complex commercial litigation and governmental investigations. His experience includes representing clients in federal, state and arbitral tribunals, and in all phases of litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Kipp has represented a variety of companies or their audit committees in investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission into alleged accounting irregularities and improper business practices, including General Mills, Inc., The H...

John represents large publicly traded and privately held businesses in controversies, transactional matters and tax planning involving state and local corporate income/franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, sales and use taxes, and other business privilege taxes. He also defends clients in state tax audits and litigation before courts, administrative agencies and departments of revenue throughout the country. In addition to his state and local tax practice, John is also one of the nation&rsqu...

Jeremy C. Watson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Jeremy C. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Jeremy C. Watson since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeremy C. Watson is held by other lawyers.