John W. Watson

Jennifer J. Kalas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Jennifer J., who practices law in Schererville, Indiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jill B. Berkeley formerly chaired the firm’s Insurance Policyholder practice group and remains an active member of the group. She represents policyholders and claimants in insurance coverage disputes involving toxic torts and hazardous wastes, environmental pollution, construction, products liability, intellectual property, first-party property, business interruption and excess liability matters. In addition to her robust litigation practice, Jill provides counsel on clients’ deve...

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

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

Todd Maynes focuses his practice on the tax aspects of debt restructurings, bankruptcy and insolvency, and tax litigation. Todd has served as Chair of the Planning Committee for both the University of Chicago Federal Tax Conference and the Chicago-Kent College of Law Federal Tax Institute. He teaches bankruptcy taxation at Northwestern University School of Law and the Law School at the University of Chicago, previously taught advanced income taxation at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and has le...

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 ...

Dennis J. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Dennis J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dennis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

G. Peter Nichols is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. G. Peter, 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 G. Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Riley is a trial lawyer. He has tried a broad array of complex, high-stakes cases and has argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country. His practice focuses on product liability, mass torts, and environmental cases; class actions; and general commercial litigation. Bob’s appellate work has given rise to over forty reported decisions concerning trial consolidations, punitive damages, civil conspiracy, class certification, and constitutional interpretation. He litigat...

David represents management nationwide in virtually all areas of labor and employment law. David’s goal is to identify what each client seeks to achieve and then realize that end. David’s dedication to service is manifest in his accessibility to the clients he serves. A direct communicator, David is valued by clients and colleagues alike for providing practical and on-point legal advice, clear answers to complex questions, and workable business solutions. With more than 30 years o...