Scott R. Fryzel

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney and litigator who advocates for his clients in all family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C. in early 2009. Prior to starting the firm, Jonathan worked at another Chicago-based family law practice for many years. Jonathan has grown his firm to include 4 other attorneys, an excellent staff and an additional office location in the suburbs. Jonathan has a great deal of e...

Todd Schafer is recognized as one of the best trial lawyers of his generation. As the son of founding partner Timothy Schafer, Todd was immersed in the courtroom at an early stage of his career and was given an opportunity to try many cases at a young age. Demonstrating exceptional skill and tenacity, he quickly earned a reputation for winning challenging cases and achieving remarkable results, even in conservative jurisdictions. At just 30 years old, Todd secured a landmark $32.5 million ver...

James F. Botana is a principal in the Chicago, Illinois, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He represents management in employment cases in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies in a variety of employment and labor-related claims. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he was a prosecutor and a senior attorney in the Employment Litigation Department of the Office of the Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. He has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous civil and crimin...

Jeremy is a real estate attorney with nearly 25 years of experience who acts as a true counselor to his clients. Learning first the business and objectives of his clients, Jeremy utilizes his broad wealth of legal and market knowledge to aid his clients in the successful structuring and execution of their transactions and business goals, balancing strong advocacy with measured deal-making spirit. Ultimately, Jeremy’s goal is to be a long-term strategic partner to his clients. Jeremy is ...

Gene Zelek is a Partner in the Corporate and Litigation Practice Groups and serves as Co-Leader of Freeborn's Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group. Gene focuses his practice on marketing-related law, applying extensive counseling, transactional and litigation experience on behalf of a wide variety of leading consumer and industrial businesses and consulting firms throughout the world. His areas of emphasis include antitrust, pricing and distribution, as well as branding, licensing, i...

M. Christine Graff is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. M. Christine practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized M. Christine Graff since 2025. 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 M. Christine Graff is held by other lawyers.

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...

Valerie Montague represents a variety of health care providers, digital health companies, senior living facilities, nonprofit trade associations, life sciences companies and vendors of health care providers. Valerie is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), the preeminent credential in the field of privacy. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on three main areas. HIPAA/Health Information Privacy and Security I assist health care providers and business asso...

Gabor Balassa is a senior litigation partner and trial lawyer. Gabor has successfully tried significant commercial disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitrations across the country, including in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Wilmington. He represents a diverse client base, ranging from big-four accounting firms, to oil & gas, telecommunications, and pharmaceutical companies, to private-equity firms. Gabor’s broad experience encompasses class ac...

Jamie A. Weyeneth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Jamie A. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Jamie A. Weyeneth since 2024. 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 Jamie A. Weyeneth is held by other lawyers.