Maria DeGiovanni

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. ...

Michael J. Choate is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Michael J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Choate since 2011. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Choate is held by other lawyers.

Todd Jacobs is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and the founding partner of Parker Hudson's Chicago office. He brings to the firm 35 years of experience resolving high-stakes disputes. Todd has been lead counsel to some of the most sophisticated legal consumers in America in their most sensitive matters and currently serves as National Coordinating Counsel for the world’s largest insurance company with respect to sexual abuse claims - including in 14 Chapter 11 bankruptcies pending ...

Dan Laytin is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office. His practice is principally concentrated in the areas of antitrust and other complex litigation. Dan has been recognized as a leading antitrust practitioner by Chambers every year from 2006 to 2022; by The Legal 500 U.S. for antitrust in 2007, 2010, 2012–2014, 2016–2022, and for appellate: supreme court in 2017; and by The Best Lawyers in America, U.S. News and World Report, Best Lawyers® from 2013 to 2023....

Monique Howery is a skilled litigator whose practice encompasses a range of complex intellectual property matters involving the development, registration, licensing, and enforcement of trademarks. Valued for her experience across a range of industries, Monique offers strategic guidance to advance her clients’ long-term business goals while protecting their legal interests. Monique is highly regarded for her ability to develop nuanced litigation strategies tailored to the unique needs of...

Jared Staver is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jared practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Jared Staver since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jared Staver is held by other lawyers.

Josh focuses on complex real estate transactions including joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions as well as financing, development, management and restructuring of real estate assets. He advises private equity sponsors, publicly traded investment firms, REITs, foreign pension funds and other institutional investors and developers in transactions involving various asset classes, including multifamily, industrial, office, hospitality and opportunity zones. Josh has been recognized as a ...

Gerry has developed a well-earned reputation for providing strategic guidance to employers in numerous types of employee relations matters, including labor issues arising out of corporate transactions such as sales and mergers, collective bargaining and compliance with the full range of federal and state labor and employment statutes. He has extensive experience in employment contract disputes and other issues that arise between employers, their employees and union representatives. He has tri...

Robyn M. Bowland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Robyn M. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Robyn M. Bowland since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Robyn M. Bowland is held by other lawyers.

Tim Stanton is an energetic advocate for and trusted advisor to inside counsel and benefits and HR executives. His clients include: retailers and wholesalers; insurance, banking and financial services firms; and food companies and manufacturers, as well as colleges and universities. Tim actively counsels clients on the roller coaster ride that is national health care reform, as well as on ERISA fiduciary duties, health information privacy and security, retiree medical age discrimination, and ...