Meredith S. Kirshenbaum

Todd Schafer is recognized as one of the best trial lawyers of his generation. As the son of founding partner Timothy Schafer, Todd was immersed in the courtroom at an early stage of his career and was given an opportunity to try many cases at a young age. Demonstrating exceptional skill and tenacity, he quickly earned a reputation for winning challenging cases and achieving remarkable results, even in conservative jurisdictions. At just 30 years old, Todd secured a landmark $32.5 million ver...

For more than two decades, private debt providers and banks have turned to Derek Ladgenski to advise on their most complicated and challenging debt financing deals. Derek helps his clients close complex financings quickly and efficiently, without surprises or delays, and builds their relationships and market presence along the way. Derek counsels lead arrangers, administrative agents and lenders on cash-flow acquisition and recapitalization financings, "take private" transactions and debt fin...

Gene Zelek is a Partner in the Corporate and Litigation Practice Groups and serves as Co-Leader of Freeborn's Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group. Gene focuses his practice on marketing-related law, applying extensive counseling, transactional and litigation experience on behalf of a wide variety of leading consumer and industrial businesses and consulting firms throughout the world. His areas of emphasis include antitrust, pricing and distribution, as well as branding, licensing, i...

Samuel K. Skinner has had a career in both the governmental and private sectors. As Of Counsel to the firm, he consults with clients in a variety of areas, including strategizing on complex litigation matters, state and federal regulatory matters, governmental matters, transportation issues, and corporate governance. Mr. Skinner is the retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of USF Corporation, one of the nation's leading transportation and logistics companies. During each yea...

Laurence R. Bronska focuses his practice on representing funded and unfunded private equity groups, management teams and individual investors. He advises clients on the legal aspects of complex business transactions across diverse industries and market segments, including leveraged buyouts, non-control and growth equity investments, divestitures and acquisitions. Please view more on Laurence's biography here: https://www.mwe.com/en/team/b/bronska-laurence-r

Stuart Shulruff has spent his entire career with the firm, concentrating his practice on the representation of lead arrangers in connection with their financing activities. Stuart regularly counsels administrative agents, lead arrangers and other investors in connection with syndicated senior secured cash flow and asset-based financings including mergers and acquisitions and going-private, leveraged buyout and recapitalization transactions. He also represents lead arrangers and asset managers...

Jennifer M. Mikulina is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Jennifer M., 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 Jennifer M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

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 ...

Drawing on nearly 40 years of combined experience as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, Sheldon Zenner expertly navigates his clients through high-stakes matters, including government and internal investigations, regulatory proceedings, all phases of criminal matters and related civil litigation. Sheldon's diverse client base is made up of corporations, high-ranking executives and company owners across a wide range of industries, including financial services, health care and entertain...