Qing Guo

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...

Michael P. Frankfurt, a Partner Emeritus, is retired from the firm. He was one of the founding partners of Frankfurt Kurnit, one of the pre-eminent media and entertainment law firms in the United States. During his long career, he represented advertising agencies, commercial film, television, publishing, graphic and fine arts and new media companies, and represented and counseled executives and talent in those and other businesses. He also lectured often at various conferences and schools, in...

Elias Eliopoulos advises clients on commercial real estate matters, including sales and acquisitions of office, hotel and multi-family assets, mortgage and mezzanine financings and preferred equity transactions, and the structuring of joint ventures for the purchase, development and operation of real estate assets. Elias has broad experience in commercial leasing, including the representation of landlords and tenants in the leasing of office and retail space. He also has extensive experience ...

J. René Toadvine maintains a nationwide practice that focuses on representing management in all facets of employee benefits matters, including: Employee benefits tax issues The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and benefits planning Executive compensation Employee benefits in mergers and acquisitions Bank finance and ERISA issues in securitizations René designs and drafts all types of employee benefits and executive compensation plans with adherence to compliance r...

Deanne E. Maynard, chair of the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group, is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, and a former Assistant to the Solicitor General at the United States Department of Justice. Ms. Maynard has argued 13 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, and she has filed over 100 briefs in that Court. Her Supreme Court arguments include prevailing for the respondent in RadLAX Gateway Hotel, LLC v. Amalgamated Bank , an important bankruptcy case involving ...

Chair of the Firm’s Employment, Labor, and Benefits Practice, Amy blends a direct and practical approach to HR challenges and conflicts by partnering with business organizations to create sustainable policies that prevent, address, and resolve workplace challenges, including multi-state compliance, hybrid and remote work, and fostering inclusive environments. Amy represents employers of all sizes in a variety of industries in the following areas of employment law: Counseling and complia...

Bryan L. Bradley is a senior partner in the personal injury law firm of KENNETH J. ALLEN LAW GROUP, LLC. Mr. Bradley focuses his practice on heavy truck and bus crash litigation and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death.He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1994.A sustaining member of the American Association for Justice, Mr. Bradley is strong advocate for th...

Danielle M. Balczon is a partner in the firm’s Ft. Myers office. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. While in law school, Balczon studied abroad at Cambridge University and served as an intern in Alabama State University’s Athletic Department. Prior to joining Cole, ...

Christopher S. Houston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Christopher S., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn Shellman is a highly skilled attorney, an excellent communicator, and an effective leader. She is experienced at developing regulatory and legislative policy strategies for renewable and disruptive technologies in the energy industry and provides advice on complex energy transactions. Carolyn is also experienced with governance and compliance issues and possesses deep subject matter expertise in the electric utility industry and in navigating energy market issues. She helps market par...