Kelly K. Kost

Patty advises employers, fund sponsors and investors on compliance with the legal rules that regulate benefit plans and funds in which benefit plans invest. Patty advises employers on the full spectrum of employee benefit matters, with a particular focus on the design, implementation and administration of broad-based pension and retirement plans, health and other welfare benefit plans, and executive compensation programs. She has extensive experience in assisting employers with unionized and ...

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...

David R. Doyle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. David R., 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 David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nancy Rich provides practical guidance to clients confronting environmental legal issues, whether they arise in litigation, transactions or regulatory matters. A former environmental prosecutor with the Illinois Attorney General's Office, Nancy has a detailed understanding of environmental agencies and the laws they enforce. She regularly advises corporate, real estate and financial services clients. Nancy's experience as an environmental prosecutor gives her an insider's understanding of how...

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

Trisha M. Rich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Trisha M., 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 Trisha M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric builds sophisticated estate planning strategies for families and individuals, including business owners and executives. He also counsels clients on the legal and business implications of major life events, including premarital planning, relocating to a new jurisdiction, appointing short-term guardians for vacationing relatives and loved ones and designating agents for health care decisions. Eric represents clients spanning numerous industries and backgrounds, including traders, doctors, ...

Ken is a senior member of Kirkland’s dynamic Asset Finance & Securitization Practice Group. According to Chambers 2021, sources consider Ken to be one of the "godfathers of the auto finance industry." Since 1990, he has handled securitizations and principal finance matters involving a variety of asset classes on behalf of originators, underwriters, platform agents, principal finance groups and conduit sponsors. Ken has been extremely active in ABS reform matters. He participated in ...

Kristen Hudson represents businesses and business people in complex commercial litigation and product liability cases in state and federal courts in Texas, Illinois and across the country. Most recently, in early 2022, Kristen was part of a trial team that received a defense verdict in a four-week jury trial in Illinois involving significant eight-figure liability for alleged benzene exposure in the printing industry. In 2021, Kristen successfully defeated three separate attempts at a tempora...

John Cullis focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation, counseling and procurement. Over the course of his career, John has been recognized among his peers as a preeminent litigator in the field of intellectual property. John is an accomplished trial lawyer who has first-chaired trademark, trade dress, trade secret, copyright and unfair competition matters before judges and juries in numerous U.S. federal courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Trademark ...