Michael J. Gray

Ed Wicks focuses his practice in the areas of real estate transactions and development, secured financings and workouts, leasing transactions and hospitality law. In his years of experience, he has: Represented public and private hospitality companies in the acquisition, management, financing, debt restructuring and disposition of domestic and foreign hotel and resort properties; Represented lenders, special servicers and borrowers in securitized financings, loan enforcement and workouts, and...

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

Megan New is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent. Megan, 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 Megan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Valentina Famparska concentrates her practice on the federal income tax aspects of complex business transactions and entities, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private equity investments, formation of private equity and real estate funds, formation of joint ventures and partnerships, and management compensation. Valentina also works with the firm's health care practice, sports and sports facilities practices, financial services practice and the trusts & estates practice...

Andy Gelman is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Chicago office. He concentrates his practice in estate planning and estate and trust administration and controversies and is the immediate past chair of the firm's Illinois Private Wealth Services Practice Group. He counsels individuals, executives and business owners on the use of wills and insurance and inter vivos or living trusts and powers of attorney for property and health care in their estate planning. Often his advice is in the are...

A firm founder, visionary leader, and skilled litigator, Paul Slater handles high-stakes antitrust cases for private and public enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies. He pioneered the opt-out practice, representing companies as individual plaintiffs in industry-wide multidistrict antitrust litigation. This practice enables clients to tailor their claims and maximize their recoveries outside of class action proceedings, which often fail to meet individual client needs. Mr. Slater repres...

Recognized as a leading lawyer for commercial lending by The Legal 500 US and by Chambers USA , Scott Lyons represents finance companies, banks and other lenders who provide debt financing to support private equity-led leveraged buyouts of middle-market companies. With deep experience in the health care and tech industries, Scott's understanding of market terms and ability to execute quickly help his clients meet the intense time demands of their customers, win their next deal and strengthen ...

Richard Sirus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Richard, 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 Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, John grew up working in his family’s restaurant and then stayed local attending both Northwestern University (B.A.) and Notre Dame Law School (J.D.). As a first generation Greek American, John witnessed the difficulties that immigrants can experience while adapting to a new culture. He also experienced the importance of community in helping people to assimilate and understand how to become part of that new culture. He is fluent in Greek and has b...

Kevin Van Wart is a partner Kirkland's Chicago office, where he concentrates in complex litigation, including mass tort claims, class action lawsuits, product liability and pharmaceutical claims, and high stakes commercial disputes. Kevin has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide variety of cases throughout the country and teaches trial advocacy at the University of Chicago Law School. The National Law Journal featured Kevin's successful trial work in naming Kirkland to its 200...