John W. Watson

Timothy Ray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Timothy, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam R. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Sports Law. Adam R., 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 Adam R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anup Sathy is an internationally recognized practitioner in matters relating to corporate restructurings, workouts and Chapter 11 reorganizations. He represents and advises companies, buyers, boards, investors and lenders in all aspects of distressed and insolvency situations and has restructured well over $100 billion of debt obligations. Described as a “phenomenal lawyer” who is “intellectually gifted” and “a great problem solver,” Anup has been selected ...

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...

Peter S. Coorlas is a senior associate of the Chicago law firm Peck Ritchey, LLC . Peter was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County for 30 years, serving in the Special Litigation and Municipal Litigation Sections of the Civil Actions Bureau. Although Peter served in various areas while at the State’s Attorneys Office, he has primarily represented the interests of Cook County in probate matters, spending much of his time on contested litigation, including will contests, con...

Ted Becker is Co-Chair of McDermott’s ERISA Litigation Team and a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. He focuses his practice on litigation under ERISA and related federal and state actions, and defense of government investigations and audits relating to employee benefit, health and welfare, and retirement plans brought by the US Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the US Department of Justice. He is a leading voice and nationally recognized p...

Kristen E. Hazel has extensive experience representing clients in US and international aspects of federal tax matters, including international acquisitions and divestitures, international joint ventures, and capital plan design and implementation, including tax planning with respect to intellectual property. Her work includes both inbound and outbound transactions. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/hazel-kristen-e/

Rachel Brown is a partner in the Real Estate Group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Her practice focuses on finance, venture formation, acquisitions and dispositions, and development. She advises borrowers and lenders in all types of real estate based financing transactions including first mortgage loans, construction loans, mezzanine financings, credit facilities, subscription facilities and other structured financings. Rachel also represents clients on workouts, loan sales...

Mark Schneider is a partner whose practice focuses on representing businesses, their boards and executives in complex criminal, civil, and administrative investigations, government enforcement proceedings, and related litigation, often in highly regulated industries and international contexts. Recognized by Chambers as a leading lawyer, Mark's clients include notable multinational companies in the financial services, life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing industries, as well as private ...

Kristen Laughridge Gale is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP, in Chicago. She has broad experience in litigation and enforcement-related issues, including private cost recovery, the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, underground storage tanks, CERCLA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Ms. Gale has successfully represented clients in regulatory disputes and negotiations with both state and federal agencies, including defending enforcement acti...