William J. "Bill" Fairbanks

Michael Hartmann is active in all phases of intellectual property law with an emphasis in intellectual property litigation and technology protection and transfer in the United States and internationally. He has acted as lead trial counsel in jury and bench trials, International Trade Commission investigations, and related pre-trial and appellate proceedings in diverse technical fields. These include software, telecommunications, machine vision and semiconductor manufacturing, oil field drilli...

Richard “Rush” Howell is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office. Recognized as a trial lawyer companies call when the issues are too important not to fight, Rush has significant experience serving as trial counsel for companies in high-profile restructuring and product liability cases and representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide array of business disputes. His practice spans commercial litigation, restructuring, data security an...

Patrick D. Owens is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Patrick D., 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 Patrick D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David M. Airan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. David M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David M. 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.

Graham C. Grady is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice and Land Use and Zoning Law. Graham C., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Graham C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Napolitano is a corporate partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Steve represents private equity funds, family offices and public and private corporations in connection with leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, going private transactions, growth equity financings, senior and mezzanine debt financings, joint ventures, recapitalizations and restructurings. He also has substantial experience representing private equity sponsors, corporations and senior managemen...

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

Ross M. Kwasteniet is a partner in the Restructuring Group. His practice is centered around the representation of distressed companies in all aspects of Chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Ross also has considerable experience representing both buyers and sellers of distressed assets. Most recently, Ross was recognized in the 2021 edition of IFLR1000. In 2019, Ross was recognized as a Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer. Ross was also recognized in the 2018&nd...

Lawrence Levin primarily represents public companies, private companies and investment banks on a wide range of regulatory, transactional and general corporate matters. He is the co-head of Katten's Corporate Securities practice in Chicago. Larry primarily advises publicly traded issuers on day-to-day federal securities law disclosure and compliance matters and board corporate governance. He also represents issuers and underwriters in offerings of equity, debt, Rule 144A high-yield offerings ...