Stephen J. Kudla

Jeffrey L. Rudd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Jeffrey L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Doug is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice group. He manages complex real estate and financing transactions concerning properties throughout the country for a diverse group of clients, including developers, publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS), private real estate investment funds, joint ventures and financial institutions. Doug handles transactions involving multifamily apartment projects, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial sites, hotels, governme...

Laura Hoey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Laura, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristofer S. Riddle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs and Qui Tam Law. Kristofer S., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristofer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Known for her diplomacy and practical problem-solving, Jessica Lingertat approaches each transaction with a steady, collaborative hand. Her clients—including large-scale developers entering competitive markets and construction lenders funding varied projects—value her ability to balance risk and reward, structure creative solutions, and help deals cross the finish line with minimal friction. Jessica steers financings and other transactions related to the construction, development ...

Jamie A. Weyeneth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Jamie A., 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 Jamie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Levin has concentrated his practice on complex business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, private equity and venture capital investing, formation of private equity funds, debt and equity restructurings and workouts, and executive compensation, with emphasis on tax, corporate, SEC, and structuring aspects, handling transactions which range in size from several million dollars to more than $7 billion.

The Honorable Henry R. Simmons (Ret.) is Managing Partner at Clifford Law Offices. He joined the firm in 2014 coming from ADR Systems of America, one of the top mediation services in the country, where he served as a Senior Mediator and Arbitrator for three years. He also worked as a Special Master and Neutral Fact Finder for ADR Systems. His experience in personal injury and multi-party disputes serves him well in running the 20+ lawyer firm at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago. He is known th...

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...

Steve is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, where he represents clients in complex civil litigation matters before state and federal courts throughout the country. He has considerable experience with commercial disputes, constitutional challenges, statutory interpretation issues, and defamation and invasion of privacy suits. He is skilled at representing municipalities in cases involving so-called “locally undesirable land uses” such as airports, music amphitheat...