Melissa M. Root

Gil Soffer, managing partner of Katten's Chicago office, has made his mark on both sides of white-collar actions. As a former federal prosecutor and senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official, he thoroughly understands the government's enforcement strategies and tactics. As an experienced white-collar defense lawyer and national co-chair of the firm's litigation practice, he devotes his practice to keeping clients out of trouble and navigating them safely through government investigations an...

Approachable, yet candid in his counsel, Kurt Rohde provides an objective analysis of the issues tied to his clients’ intellectual property assets and best courses of action. In particular, with over 14 years focused in complex patent litigation and large patent portfolio management, Kurt regularly serves as patent trial counsel for multibillion dollar corporations. Kurt helps his clients keep the bigger picture at the forefront by advising on obtaining, evaluating, and enforcing their ...

Veteran attorney Michael Elam brings more than three decades of experience in environmental, energy, infrastructure and natural resource law in both the private and public sectors. He structures creative agreements and helps secure approvals and financing for complex national and international agreements involving the development, remediation and financing of environmentally challenged or controversial projects surrounding energy and sensitive water bodies or sources. Michael represents busin...

A practitioner in the area of family law for over 30 years, Dean Dussias has built his reputation by representing entrepreneurs, executives and other prominent clients in high profile and financially complicated cases with a careful, discreet approach that solves problems and mitigates risks. While there are some cases involving children or unforeseen financial roadblocks that present unavoidable delays, Dean has learned from his vast experience that in most cases, the best approach is a prag...

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.

Cara M. Houck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Cara M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cara M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Larry is chair of the firm’s Private Wealth Services practice group. He facilitates successful legal strategies for entrepreneurs, tax-exempt organizations, fiduciaries and high-net worth families and individuals. This work involves estate, gift and charitable planning issues, including business succession, tax-efficient ownership structures, sophisticated tax-exempt structures, trust and estate administration, executive benefits, life insurance and international estate planning for wea...

Ben Whiting is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Ben, 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 Ben is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Stephen D. Phillips is the managing partner at Phillips Law Offices in Chicago . Mr. Phillips was the 2013 President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the largest association for trial lawyers in the state of Illinois, and he remains a current executive committee member . He also was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers – limited to 500 attorneys worldwide – in 2011 as well the International Society of Barristers from 2020 to the present day. Stephen e...