Michelle B. Smit

Ziemowit T. Smulkowski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Ziemowit T., 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 Ziemowit T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew M. Alul is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Andrew M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew advises public and private companies on plan design and administration, fiduciary responsibility, claims procedures, and disclosure requirements under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and other laws. He has extensive experience guiding them regarding the legal, financial, and administrative issues that affect qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and other employee benefit arrangements, including issues that arise during mergers, acquisitions, and othe...

Lisa M. Kaderabek focuses her practice on captive insurance, risk transfer, reinsurance and related matters for health care entities and other businesses. Other practice areas include health care transactions, including securities offerings, joint ventures, physician/hospital syndications, tax-exempt bond financings, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, corporate governance and formation. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/kaderabek-lisa/

James C. Franczek, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. James C., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tracy Brammeier is no stranger to tort law, having worked as a clerk at the firm for years and then jumping into courtroom work and complex tort cases. In fact, her intelligence and legal acumen have led her to already have worked on some of the biggest lawsuits filed at the firm, led by partners directing the cases. She works closely with partner Kevin P. Durkin handling many transportation accident matters. Tracy has worked on several cases involving bicyclists struck by trucks, a man who s...

Matthew R. Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Matthew R., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dan McGuire concentrates his practice in the insolvency, bankruptcy, and business reorganization fields. He represents debtors, creditors' committees, private equity funds, banks, and other financial institutions and investors in all aspects of insolvency work, including Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court restructurings, debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, structuring transactions involving insolvency issues, cross-border insolvencies, and the acquisition and divestiture of assets of bankrupt o...

Sorinel Cimpoes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Sorinel, 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 Sorinel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barry A. Hartstein has earned a national reputation for a career that includes more than 30 years of counseling and representing employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is a frequent writer, commentator and lecturer on workplace issues. He also has extensive experience as a litigator and has defended employers nationwide in individual and class action claims and wage and hour collective actions. He has particular expertise dealing with the EEOC on both a local and natio...