Sara B. DeBlaze

Albert L. Hogan III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Albert L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Albert L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Julie S. Pleshivoy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Julie S., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julie S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aurelija Fitzpatrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Aurelija, 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 Aurelija is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Josh is a first-chair trial lawyer and counselor. Many of the world’s highest profile companies trust him to resolve disputes in ways that align with their business goals. Clients also seek Josh out before disputes arise, helping them to calibrate business strategies to reduce the risk of litigation or maximize leverage from potential claims. Many of Josh’s clients are in the retail, manufacturing, and real estate development industries. He has championed their rights in a host of...

Jim Cruger, a partner in Perkins Coie’s national Private Equity practice, concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers, acquisitions, formation of private investment vehicles and joint ventures. Jim has represented numerous private equity funds and public companies in transactions during his 28 year career. Public company representation has included Deutsche Post DHL, Leggett & Platt (NYSE), Voyager Learning Company (NASDAQ) and Strategic Hotel Capital (NYSE). Fund representati...

Elise J. McGee advises high-net-worth individuals and business owners on all aspects of wealth-transfer planning, including estate and trust administration, leveraged wealth-transfer techniques, tax matters, cryptocurrency and QSBS planning, real estate transactions and closely held business matters. Elise has extensive experience working with owners of closely held businesses to develop governance and succession plans, and on corporate, tax and compliance matters relating to those businesses...

Tobias E. Schlueter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Tobias E., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tobias E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen L. Ritchie is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis. Steve's practice is concentrated in the areas of complex business transactions, with a particular focus on structuring, negotiating and managing the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, venture capital and growth equity investments, restructurings and workouts. He has also served as lead counsel in the representation of numerous portfolio companies of private equity funds. P...

As a sought-after transactional and regulatory advisor, Patrick J. Martinez has built his practice on executing complex healthcare acquisitions and joint ventures. He represents private equity firms and their platform companies in the acquisition and divestiture of for-profit healthcare companies, as well as provider-to-provider deals. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/patrick-j-martinez/

James Mayer is a senior counsel in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law, with extensive experience in retail, office, and industrial leasing. My focus I focus my practice on commercial real estate law, including all aspects of real estate acquisition, development, leasing, operation, management, and disposition. My clients include real estate pension funds, investment advisory groups (for their own accounts and unrelated third part...