Michele Anderson

Laura Balson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Laura, 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 Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Known for her diplomacy and practical problem-solving, Jessica Lingertat approaches each transaction with a steady, collaborative hand. Her clients—including large-scale developers entering competitive markets and construction lenders funding varied projects—value her ability to balance risk and reward, structure creative solutions, and help deals cross the finish line with minimal friction. Jessica steers financings and other transactions related to the construction, development ...

Tara R. Devine joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., in March 2004 and became the firm’s first female partner in 2011. In 2018, Ms. Devine was promoted to Managing Partner of the firm’s Waukegan office. She concentrates her practice in the areas of personal injury , nursing home negligence , wrongful death , medical malpractice and product liability cases . Ms. Devine has helped achieve numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of her clients in perso...

David Zott is a leading trial lawyer based in Kirkland’s Chicago office. He is equally at home in the courtroom, the boardroom or across the negotiating table. So “whether you think you’re actually going to trial, or if you just want it settled as favorably as possible, he’s good for both.” (Chambers USA). David’s practice focuses on complex commercial and class action litigation, with an emphasis on energy, antitrust and bankruptcy litigation. David repres...

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 P. Foradas is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is Of Counsel in Kirkland’s Chicago office and was a litigation partner from 1987–2019. Michael is also a former member of the firm’s Management Committee. Michael has broad trial and appellate experience in all aspects of major case litigation, including commercial, insurance coverage, mass tort and product liability and shareholder litigation in federal and state courts around the country. Chambers...

Colin Dunn is a highly successful premise liability lawyer, aviation accident attorney, and partner at Clifford Law Offices. He obtained his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, graduating magna cum laude. Mr. Dunn was eighth in his class of 169, and served on the Law Journal. During law school, he worked for the Honorable Justice Ann Williams of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals as well as for the Honorable Judge Ronald Guzman of the United States District Court for...

An accomplished trial lawyer, Tery Gonsalves draws on his prior roles as a police detective and deputy general counsel to provide strategic guidance to clients facing investigations and complex litigation matters, including regulatory and compliance counseling. As chair of the Education Team, he regularly counsels public and private institutions through the issues they face in a highly regulated landscape. Tery is a seasoned trial lawyer who has tried more than 20 cases to verdict. He represe...

Stanley (Stan) H. Meadows, PC, advises clients on public and private offerings of securities, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate restructuring. He is a former member of the Firm’s Management Committee. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/meadows-stanley-h/

Chair of the firm’s Associations and Foundations group, Paula Goedert represents nonprofit organizations, including professional societies, trade associations, public charities and private foundations. Paula offers a depth of experience in guiding nonprofits through the challenges they face, and appreciates the opportunity to help make a difference. Paula serves as general or lead counsel for many national associations that represent prominent economy-drivers, industries and professiona...