Staci Balbirer

Sergio Acosta is Co-Chair of Akerman’s White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice. A former federal prosecutor and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers with over 70 jury trials to his credit, he has extensive experience defending companies and individuals in criminal and regulatory proceedings, conducting internal investigations, and counseling clients on compliance programs and related issues. Sergio represents companies and individuals in regulatory, civil, a...

After two years as a law clerk at Cooney & Conway, Lawrence (Larry) Robert Weisler joined the firm as an associate in 2004. Receiving his B.S. from Michigan State University, Mr. Weisler graduated with a J.D. from John Marshall Law School. Mr. Weisler’s practice includes a wide variety of civil trial matters concentrated in asbestos litigation, product liability, premise liability, and personal injury. Since joining the firm, Mr. Weisler has obtained settlements in over 100 mesothel...

Hariklia (Carrie) Karis is a Kirkland trial lawyer who has extensive lead trial experience in jury and bench trials and arbitration involving personal injury in a broad range of high profile personal injury, product liability and other commercial cases throughout the country. Hariklia was recently recognized by various legal publications as a first class trial lawyer in mass tort and commercial litigation. She was awarded Law360 MVP for Trials in 2022. The American Lawyer named Hariklia &ldqu...

Lance D. Northcutt is a trial lawyer and partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. who focuses his practice on cases concerning catastrophic personal injury , wrongful death , civil rights, and mass torts . Mr. Northcutt is a tenacious courtroom advocate who revels in fighting for his clients and their families. In his first trial with the firm, Mr. Northcutt was part of a legal team that won a $363 million jury verdict for a woman who developed breast cancer from breathing toxic emiss...

Eric S. Rein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Commercial Litigation. Eric S., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Corey E. Light is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Corey E., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Corey E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Patton is of counsel to the Litigation group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Steve has extensive experience trying cases and arguing appeals in federal and state courts throughout the country in a wide variety of commercial disputes. He has also served as an advisor to senior management in a number of “bet the company” exposures and negotiated several multibillion settlements in complex disputes. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers a...

Stephanie S. McCann focuses her practice on corporate finance. She represents private equity groups, commercial lending institutions and major public and private companies in connection with the structuring, negotiation and documentation of domestic and international secured and unsecured financing transactions, including senior, mezzanine and subordinated debt transactions, acquisition financings, recapitalizations, loan workouts and restructurings. Stephanie is the chair of the Firm’s...

Jeffrey J. Bakker provides strategic counsel to clients nationwide concerning every executive compensation and employee benefit matter that affects their businesses, including designing and preparing deferred compensation and equity compensation plans, maintaining ERISA and tax compliance for all qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and cash balance plans) and representing clients in Department of Labor benefits plan audits. Jeff regularly advises...

Sherry L. Harlan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Sherry L., who practices law in Rockford, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sherry L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.