Peter McLaughlin

Raiford Palmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Raiford, who practices law in Naperville, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Raiford is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard Schaffner is a senior partner in firm of Hofeld and Schaffner. The Hofeld and Schaffner law firm is been honored to be ranked as a top tier law firm by US News and World Reports and to have received the highest ranking from Martindale Hubble. As a specialist in plaintiff’ s personal injury Mr. Schaffner has achieved multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in well over 150 cases. A few examples include; $39,000,000.00 verdict in a drug product liability case $16,000,000.00 ve...

Nick wins cases for clients and helps them favorably resolve disputes, including complex partnership, corporate governance, finance, and deal disputes. As a first-chair trial lawyer who has tried more than 30 jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations, when a rare business case goes to trial, other law firms and clients ask him to join or lead the trial team. Nick splits his time between Barack Ferrazzano’s Minneapolis and Chicago offices, although he regularly appears in courts across...

Bill Arnault is a litigation partner in the Firm’s Chicago office. He focuses his practice in the restructuring context. He also has extensive experience litigating complex commercial cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the United States, including contract, energy, fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, bankruptcy, and employment cases. He has chaired or co-led multiple trials and hearings, including disputes involving Parker Drilling Company, Emerald Oil, In...

Alex Cole focuses her real estate practice in the areas of real estate transactions and development, hospitality, international real estate, project finance and construction law. She is routinely involved in large real estate acquisitions (hotel, office and retail) and represents all the various parties in the construction and development process. Some of Alex's past projects include: Park Hyatt Australia, purchase and disposition of The Carlyle in transaction including sale of Rosewood Hotel...

Mr. Cramer counsels and represents employers on a wide variety of labor and employment-related legal matters. He has advised clients ranging from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies on employment matters, negotiated cost-effective resolutions to troubling disputes, and litigated to victory. Based on peer surveys, Mr. Cramer has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating (AV), and has been named among the Best Lawyers in America, a Leading Lawyer and an Illinois Supe...

Lou’s clients look to him to counsel them and solve business problems, especially in dealer, distribution, and franchise law, prior to litigation. Lou’s experience as a first chair trial attorney in a variety of commercial disputes puts him in a prime position to resolve disputes successfully and finally whether through settlement, judgment, or appeal. Lou is a commercial litigator and counselor who assists motor vehicle manufacturers and franchisors navigate a complex set of laws...

Laurie Levin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Laurie, 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 Laurie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maria A. Diakoumakis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Maria A., 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 Maria A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas A. Demetrio is a trial lawyer with an emphasis on medical negligence, product liability, airplane crash and commercial litigation on behalf of plaintiffs. He is Past President of the Chicago Bar Association and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He is a fellow of: The American College of Trial Lawyers The International Academy of Trial Lawyers The Inner Circle of Advocates Tom has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since its inception in 1987 and was named by Best Lawyers as the C...