Patrick D. Richards

Tim Schafer, II is an experienced trial lawyer, handling cases involving personal injury or wrongful death caused by truck accidents, car accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, train accidents and airplane crashes. During his career Tim has obtained two of the largest jury verdicts in the State of Indiana, $30,750,000 for brain damage and wrongful death caused in a premises liability case and $32,500,000.00 for brain damage caused to a young mother who was invo...

James H. Whalen is the co-managing partner of Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis LTD, a Chicago, Illinois law firm. He practices in the areas of Litigation – Insurance, tort defense, commercial litigation, and product liability. Mr. Whalen represents clients in state and federal courts, as well as before state administrative bodies. His practice includes construction, business, commercial, product liability, employment discrimination, and premises liability litigation. Mr. Whale...

Bill is a litigator who manages employment‑related disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country. As the former chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group, he brings deep leadership experience and serves as a strategic partner to companies and executives across the broad spectrum of critical business and employment matters that impact their operations. Bill’s litigation practice encompasses the full spectrum of employmen...

Brian LaCien is a Chicago trial attorney and founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP , a personal injury law firm he established with Todd A. Smith . The firm represents individuals and families in complex personal injury, medical malpractice , aviation , and mass tort matters throughout Illinois and nationwide. Brian and Todd have obtained more than $3 billion in reported verdicts and settlements for clients, including more than 100 matters involving results of at least $1 million. Past results...

Carolyn M. Passen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Carolyn M. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Carolyn M. Passen since 2023. 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 Carolyn M. Passen is held by other lawyers.

Chris P. Kallos is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law. Chris P. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Chris P. Kallos since 2026. 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 Chris P. Kallos is held by other lawyers.

Scott has over 25 years of experience representing famous brands. Scott is ultra-responsive and possesses the unique ability to explain his creative approach to protecting and policing famous brands to non-legal business and marketing professionals. Scott is co-chair of Barack Ferrazzano’s Intellectual Property Group and a member of the Luxury Group. His practice focuses primarily on U.S. and international trademark prosecution, beginning with policing, managing, and protecting the expa...

Matthew F. Kluchenek is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Derivatives and Futures Law. Matthew F. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew F. Kluchenek since 2027. 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 Matthew F. Kluchenek is held by other lawyers.

Nationally recognized, Susan is described as “an excellent partner who uniformly demonstrates a mastery of her subject matter area and the ability to deliver helpful, practical advice on complex questions in a fast-paced environment.” ( Chambers USA 2024). Susan is a go-to lawyer in the area of employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits. She assists employers, health plans, insurers, and vendors with their healthcare reform strategy and compliance with laws affecting group hea...

Matthew M. Murphy is a partner in the Financial Restructuring group, a member of the Special Situations Group, and the chair of the Chicago Office. He advises a variety of clients in complex business reorganizations, debt restructurings, and troubled company M&A. Mr. Murphy has counseled clients up and down the capital structure through out-of-court and Chapter 11 restructuring initiatives, the purchase of or investment in distressed companies, and post-petition lending.