Paige Barr Tinkham

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney and litigator who advocates for his clients in all family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C. in early 2009. Prior to starting the firm, Jonathan worked at another Chicago-based family law practice for many years. Jonathan has grown his firm to include 4 other attorneys, an excellent staff and an additional office location in the suburbs. Jonathan has a great deal of e...

Kerry Lin Davidson focuses her practice on labor and employment matters, including employment relations, HR strategies, and traditional labor matters. She has broad experience overseeing legal affairs and complex corporate issues for both public and private organizations. Kerry has deep experience serving in an executive role as general corporate counsel. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, she served as sole leader of both legal and HR/LR functions for a large scrap metal and recycling compa...

A former chief patent counsel to a Fortune 500 communications company with deep first chair trial experience, Thomas Pasternak focuses his practice on patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation, licensing, and prosecution. He protects and defends his clients’ intellectual property rights in district courts throughout the United States, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Federal Circuit and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. He ...

For more than 30 years, Mark Simon has helped lending institutions, real estate funds and developers on a wide range of real estate financings and investments. He combines deep technical knowledge and industry experience with an understanding of the legal and business needs of real estate funds, banks, insurance companies and private developers. Recognized as a leading lawyer for years by industry publications such as Chambers USA, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers, Mark brings market knowledge and ...

Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation. The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Sta...

Michael J. Choate is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Michael J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Choate since 2011. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Choate is held by other lawyers.

Jillian S. Cole is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Jillian S. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Jillian S. Cole since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jillian S. Cole is held by other lawyers.

Laura Balson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Laura practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Laura Balson since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laura Balson is held by other lawyers.

Brian J. Tiemann counsels public and private companies on a broad range of employee benefit matters, including matters related to pension plans, 401(k) plans and executive and incentive compensation. He advises plan fiduciaries with respect to their fiduciary duties, investment policies and alternative investments. He also advises multinational clients on global employee benefits matters, particularly with respect to global incentive compensation plans. Brian has extensive experience negotiat...

Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table. As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement. Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate...