Best Lawyers Near You in Chicago, Illinois for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation. The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Sta...
Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table. As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement. Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate...
Francis A. Citera is Co-Chair of the firm's Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Chicago Litigation Practice. Frank has 30 years of experience defending purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and other complex litigation in both federal and state courts. He has tried many cases, including an action by the Government to enforce a unilateral administrative order, an allocation case among potentially responsible parties, and a complex product liability, ...
Bob Riley is a trial lawyer. He has tried a broad array of complex, high-stakes cases and has argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country. His practice focuses on product liability, mass torts, and environmental cases; class actions; and general commercial litigation. Bob’s appellate work has given rise to over forty reported decisions concerning trial consolidations, punitive damages, civil conspiracy, class certification, and constitutional interpretation. He litigat...
Known both as a gifted leader and a consummate team player, Joe Cancila is a highly regarded, experienced, and tenacious litigator who has dedicated his career to defending clients in complex commercial class actions. He is a creative strategist, thorough investigator, and effective communicator—all qualities that make him a worthy adversary in and out of the courtroom. And as the leader of many practice teams, he has mastered the art of working collaboratively with co-counsel to best a...
Matthew J. Fischer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Matthew J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew J. Fischer since 2012. 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 Matthew J. Fischer is held...
James D. Sloan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James D. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized James D. Sloan since 2026. 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 James D. Sloan is held by other lawyers.
A litigator with experience on both sides of complex cases, Blake Kolesa represents businesses facing high-stakes commercial disputes and government investigations. A significant portion of his work is devoted to pro bono litigation, particularly appeals of wrongful convictions. Blake enjoys getting to know the ins and outs of the facts and science behind every case; preparing and deposing witnesses is one of his favorite parts of practice. In addition to previous experience as a plaintiff&rs...
Nathan Gilbert is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Nathan practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Nathan Gilbert since 2026. 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 Nathan Gilbert ...
Drawing on a decade of experience, Caitlin guides clients through significant legal challenges, crafting creative and practical legal strategies consistent with business objectives. Caitlin maintains an active pro bono practice and has been recognized for her work in multiple matters on behalf of incarcerated individuals. Caitlin focuses her practice on the defense of companies in class action, product liability, toxic tort, mass tort, and other complex litigation matters. She also has experi...
Matthew A. Sanchez is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Matthew A. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew A. Sanchez since 2026. 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 Matthew A. Sanchez is held by other lawyers.
A dedicated and fearless advocate with experience in all stages of litigation, Natalie Ellis defends clients in complex cases, primarily product liability and mass tort claims, in state and federal courts. She provides creative solutions and strategies rooted in a deep appreciation of her clients’ business needs and objectives, putting them in the best position to succeed when litigation arises. Natalie is highly valued for her ability to grasp the technical nuances of her clients&rsquo...
Alexandra R. Pecora is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law. Alexandra R. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Alexandra R. Pecora since 2026. 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 Alexandra R. Pecora is held by other lawyers.
John Drosick is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized John Drosick 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 John Drosick is held ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
