Rachael G. Pontikes

Rita M. Powers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Rita M. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Rita M. Powers 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 Rita M. Powers is held by other lawyers.

Julie Sirlin Pleshivoy advises high‑net‑worth families, family offices, and entrepreneurs on the full spectrum of wealth transfer and tax planning. Combining sophisticated tax knowledge with a background in investment management, she develops estate plans that safeguard family assets and support smooth transitions across generations. Leveraging her experience and an LL.M. in Federal Income Taxation, Julie brings a distinctive financial perspective to structuring business ventures, succession ...

Tom Buranosky is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Tom practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Tom Buranosky since 2022. 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 Tom Buranosky is held by other lawyers.

Sanford E. Perl (Sandy) concentrates on the corporate, securities and tax aspects of complex business transactions, including leveraged buy-outs of public and private companies; strategic mergers, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures; venture capital and growth equity investments; divestitures; initial public offerings; private equity fund formations; executive compensation; and debt and equity restructurings and workouts. He manages transactions in a wide variety of industries, inclu...

Megan provides fund formation and management advice to private equity funds. She also represents clients with the evaluation and negotiation of investments, transactions, and general corporate matters. Megan focuses her practice on private equity fund formation and management, including, structuring, capital raising, regulatory compliance and partnership matters. She also advises clients on U.S. and non-U.S. private equity, venture, and hedge fund investments, joint ventures, divestitures, an...

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.

Joe Madonia is leader of the firm’s Environmental Litigation team. For more than 25 years, Joe has defended and counseled clients on a wide array of toxic tort and environmental matters at the local, regional and national levels. Joe delivers strong skills as a litigator, multifaceted trial experience, and the regulatory know-how and scientific depth needed to problem-solve at virtually any level of sophistication or difficulty. His experience includes serving as national trial counsel ...

Timothy R. Ocasek is a Chicago, Illinois personal injury lawyer with Cooney & Conway LLP. He earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1979 and his B.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1976. He joined Cooney & Conway LLP in 1979 and represents clients in personal injury matters at the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Ocasek represents plaintiffs in a broad range of personal injury litigation, including wrongful death, medical and professional malpract...

Former federal prosecutor Kalia Coleman is an experienced investigator and trial lawyer who represents clients in white collar and corporate investigations and commercial dispute litigation. During her six-year tenure as a federal prosecutor, she led complex and high‑stakes criminal investigations involving a broad range of issues, including public corruption, extortion, mortgage fraud, mail, wire and bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrup...

William J. Serritella, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. William J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized William J. Serritella, Jr. since 2019. 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 William J. Serritella, Jr. is held by other lawyers.