Pavel Vitliemov

For more than 25 years, Jim Adkins has represented real estate developers and investors and has helped them reduce risk and add value with respect to their real estate holdings and developments. He regularly counsels clients through all aspects of their real estate projects, including acquisition, financing, leasing, governmental and zoning approvals, incentives, management, operations and dispositions. His leasing experience includes the drafting and negotiating of build to suit, ground, ret...

Emily J. Beeson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Emily J., who practices law in Weirton, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dodd is a business lawyer with a background in corporate, tax, securities and real estate law. He works with a wide range of business clients, including financial institutions, venture-backed companies, venture capital investors, and non-profit institutions. He uses a variety of financing techniques, including debt, equity, and tax-advantaged investment structures, to help clients organize, structure and capitalize their businesses. He provides advice on the design, implementation and operati...

Heather Rider Hammond joined Gravel & Shea PC in Burlington, Vermont as an associate in 2001 after graduating from Vermont Law School. She has served as co-managing partner since 2020 and works closely with employers across a wide range of industries. Her practice focuses on Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment, advising organizations throughout the employment relationship. Heather represents corporate clients in employment-related matters before s...

Jana M. Leichter is a partner in the firm’s Miami and West Palm Beach offices. Ms. Leichter’s practice focuses on defending employers at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels in all aspects of employment litigation, including lawsuits alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation in violation of federal, state and local laws, as well as equal pay claims, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation retaliation, whistleblower, and wrongful termination. Ms. Leich...

William Smelko is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. William, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dylan Marsh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Dylan, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dylan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa Shimel is a partner with the firm and has more than 30 years of experience in transactions and litigation in commercial, real estate, and lending matters. Her practice areas include banking, lending, and financial institutions, real estate, business operations and transactions, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, and litigation. Ms. Shimel’s practice focuses on representation of bank and non-bank financial institutions including: Loan documentation for commercial and real estat...

Rachel Brown is a partner in the Real Estate Group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Her practice focuses on finance, venture formation, acquisitions and dispositions, and development. She advises borrowers and lenders in all types of real estate based financing transactions including first mortgage loans, construction loans, mezzanine financings, credit facilities, subscription facilities and other structured financings. Rachel also represents clients on workouts, loan sales...

Area of Emphasis Matt Casto is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. His practice is focused on energy and real property matters, including the oil and gas industry with an emphasis on commercial, administrative and general litigation. Mr. Casto represents clients in connection with contract and lease disputes, pipeline litigation, toxic torts and energy and mineral law matters including, but not limited to, surface disputes, royalty, leasin...