Joel J. Rhiner

Paul D. Richter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Paul D., 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 Paul D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Building on work experience in the computer industry, Gregg Kirchhoefer's practice is focused on transactional and counseling matters primarily involving information technology, telecommunications, eCommerce, artificial intelligence, robotics, life sciences, pharma, biotechnology, other technologies, and intellectual property, corporate and commercial issues. Gregg founded the Firm’s intellectual property/technology transactions and outsourcing practice groups. In addition, Gregg works ...

Stephen L. Ritchie is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis. Steve's practice is concentrated in the areas of complex business transactions, with a particular focus on structuring, negotiating and managing the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, venture capital and growth equity investments, restructurings and workouts. He has also served as lead counsel in the representation of numerous portfolio companies of private equity funds. P...

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.

John G. Caruso is a partner in the Real Estate Group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. John represents and counsels clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, including financings/commercial lending, acquisitions, dispositions, synthetic lease and sale-leaseback transactions, commercial leases, rights-of-way and easement agreements and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions. John actively represents clients in structuring joint ventures for the acquisit...

Nathaniel Carden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Nathaniel, 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 Nathaniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ross M. Kwasteniet is a partner in the Restructuring Group. His practice is centered around the representation of distressed companies in all aspects of Chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Ross also has considerable experience representing both buyers and sellers of distressed assets. Most recently, Ross was recognized in the 2021 edition of IFLR1000. In 2019, Ross was recognized as a Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer. Ross was also recognized in the 2018&nd...

Attorney – Jason Williams biography Jason Williams is a Chicago personal injury attorney at Smith LaCien LLP, concentrating in catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death. He joined the firm in December 2021 after eight years as a solo practitioner, litigating cases at the trial and appellate levels on complex computer matters, medical malpractice, healthcare, antitrust and commercial work, and trusts and estates. The firm regularly confronts powerful corporatio...

Nick is of counsel in the firm’s Securities Litigation & Regulatory practice group. A trial lawyer with 40 years of experience, he defends financial services firms and their employees in securities matters all over the country. Nick’s practice encompasses the full range of investor-based disputes and regulatory enforcement proceedings, as well as disputes arising out of employment practices in the financial services industry. He also handles internal investigations and investi...

Deborah L. Gersh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Privacy and Data Security Law. Deborah L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Deborah L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.