Thomas R. Leavens

A former chief patent counsel to a Fortune 500 communications company with deep first chair trial experience, Thomas Pasternak focuses his practice on patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation, licensing, and prosecution. He protects and defends his clients’ intellectual property rights in district courts throughout the United States, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Federal Circuit and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. He ...

John M. Popelka focuses his practice exclusively representing public and private sector clients in the area of Workers’ Compensation law. Equally comfortable in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, a significant portion of his practice involves litigating and settling claims for union workers who suffer career-ending injuries, permanent total disability, catastrophic injuries requiring home modification and lifetime medical care, and death cases. John joined Anesi Ozmon in 1993, ...

Derek G. Barella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Derek G., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Derek G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom is a Shareholder and Chairs the Patents and Intellectual Property Sections. An experienced attorney most active in patent prosecution, portfolio management and providing opinions of counsel, Tom drafts and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications; renders non-infringement, validity, patentability and inventorship opinions; drafts and interprets license, indemnification, employment and non-complete agreements; prepares and prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; and counse...

Eric builds sophisticated estate planning strategies for families and individuals, including business owners and executives. He also counsels clients on the legal and business implications of major life events, including premarital planning, relocating to a new jurisdiction, appointing short-term guardians for vacationing relatives and loved ones and designating agents for health care decisions. Eric represents clients spanning numerous industries and backgrounds, including traders, doctors, ...

Eric Moch W. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Eric, 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 Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Scott Seaman Scott is a commercial litigator and trial and appellate lawyer with more than 37 years of experience. Scott is widely regarded as one of the leading attorneys in the United States representing insurers and reinsurers in property and casualty matters. He is known for employing his deep knowledge of the law and insurance and financial industries, strategic thinking, and honed trial and appellate advocacy to produce creative solutions and outstanding results for clients on a cost-ef...

As a real estate attorney with more than 40 years of experience, Suzanne is deal-driven, meticulous, practical, straight-forward, and a fierce advocate for her clients. She understands her clients’ businesses and proactively anticipates their needs as her clients evolve. As co-chair of Barack Ferrazzano’s Real Estate Group, Suzanne concentrates her practice on commercial real estate and related corporate, securities, and business planning matters. Suzanne has significant experienc...

Bill has almost 40 years of experience in bankruptcy litigation. Bill is a calming and relaxed force while being a committed advocate for his clients. Bill is the senior member of Barack Ferrazzano’s Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Group. In recent years Bill has focused his practice on representing secured debt holders and landlords in Chapter 11 cases and other insolvency proceedings. Bill has litigated a broad variety of cases in the bankruptcy courts, including stay relief, adequat...