Kenneth L. Harris

Howard Schaffner is a senior partner in firm of Hofeld and Schaffner. The Hofeld and Schaffner law firm is been honored to be ranked as a top tier law firm by US News and World Reports and to have received the highest ranking from Martindale Hubble. As a specialist in plaintiff’ s personal injury Mr. Schaffner has achieved multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in well over 150 cases. A few examples include; $39,000,000.00 verdict in a drug product liability case $16,000,000.00 ve...

Biography: Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner, Smith LaCien LLP Making Access to Justice a Personal Crusade A native of Evanston, Ill., and with a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Todd A. Smith, a founding partner with Brian LaCien of Smith LaCien LLP, has practiced law for over 40 years. He has won some of the largest multi-million dollar jury awards and settlements in serious personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases in Illinois. ...

With a background in social work and the influence of a grandfather and uncle who were passionate lawyers, Gina Arquilla DeBoni naturally gravitated towards a career in law where she could put her strong people skills and passion for helping others to good use. After law school, Gina established a successful personal injury law firm with another partner. She left the practice after six years to join the prominent firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC in June 2010 as its managing attorney. In F...

Ryan Rohlfsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Ryan, 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 Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen R. Auten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Stephen R., 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 Stephen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Michael, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group, provides strategic counsel to established enterprises and entrepreneurs concerning the development and protection of extensive global intellectual property portfolios. He represents clients from a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, restaurants, retail housewares, beverage manufacturing, software, entertainment and a variety of technology-focused industries. Michael has served as lead counsel in tri...

Gary C. Karch advises clients on the federal income tax aspects of partnership and limited liability company transactions, including acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and restructurings. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/karch-gary-c/

With more than 30 years of experience, Eric Berg focuses his practice on litigation and transactional construction law. As a litigator, Eric has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and lenders in trials, arbitrations, and mediations. Eric’s transactional work includes drafting and negotiating contracts for the design, construction, rehabilitation and construction management of hotels, hospitals, office buildings, apartment buildings, casinos, transit ...

James H. Whalen is the co-managing partner of Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis LTD, a Chicago, Illinois law firm. He practices in the areas of Litigation – Insurance, tort defense, commercial litigation, and product liability. Mr. Whalen represents clients in state and federal courts, as well as before state administrative bodies. His practice includes construction, business, commercial, product liability, employment discrimination, and premises liability litigation. Mr. Whale...