Lauren Payne

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

Clients engaged in complex commercial real estate and corporate finance transactions count on LaVon M. Johns’ experience, insight, and commitment to help them anticipate issues, address challenges, and, ultimately, get to “yes.” A consummate dealmaker who balances business savvy and legal know-how with outstanding communication skills and a deep commitment to building long-term client relationships, LaVon focuses her practice on complex commercial real estate and finance mat...

Stephen V. D'Amore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Stephen V., 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 Stephen V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dennis VanDerGinst Dennis VanDerGinst is a personal injury attorney, trial lawyer, and the Founder & CEO of VanDerGinst Law PC. He represents injured individuals and families throughout Illinois, Iowa, and other jurisdictions. For more than 30 years, Dennis has focused his practice on helping people navigate serious injury claims and complex litigation during challenging periods of their lives. Dennis handles a wide range of plaintiff-side personal injury matters, including car accidents,...

Sean P. Murray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. He is the founder of Murray Legal Group, and is a veteran trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing seriously injured individuals and families in personal injury and wrongful death matters. Sean has personally secured numerous multi-million-dollar jury verdicts and settlements, including state and county records in some of Illinois' most challeng...

Matthew M. Murphy is a partner in the Financial Restructuring group, a member of the Special Situations Group, and the chair of the Chicago Office. He advises a variety of clients in complex business reorganizations, debt restructurings, and troubled company M&A. Mr. Murphy has counseled clients up and down the capital structure through out-of-court and Chapter 11 restructuring initiatives, the purchase of or investment in distressed companies, and post-petition lending.

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.

Kerry Lin Davidson focuses her practice on labor and employment matters, including employment relations, HR strategies, and traditional labor matters. She has broad experience overseeing legal affairs and complex corporate issues for both public and private organizations. Kerry has deep experience serving in an executive role as general corporate counsel. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, she served as sole leader of both legal and HR/LR functions for a large scrap metal and recycling compa...

Gabor Balassa is a senior litigation partner and trial lawyer. Gabor has successfully tried significant commercial disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitrations across the country, including in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Wilmington. He represents a diverse client base, ranging from big-four accounting firms, to oil & gas, telecommunications, and pharmaceutical companies, to private-equity firms. Gabor’s broad experience encompasses class ac...

Maureen O'Brien is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Maureen's practice includes a broad range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, and she has extensive experience with the M&A aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation, including strategic and private equity transactions. Maureen advises clients on the design and implementation of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, welfare plans, Section 409A matters and equity and in...