Best Lawyers Near You in Park Ridge, Illinois for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
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...
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, ...
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...
James D. Sloan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James D., 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 James D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew J. Fischer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Matthew J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
An experienced litigator with a focus on representing clients in the health care, manufacturing, and biotechnology sectors, Ali Myhre handles product liability and mass tort litigation matters nationwide. Clients value Ali’s academic background in science and bioethics, which has shaped her ability to deftly handle dozens of fact and expert witness depositions in complex disputes, including those involving alleged toxic chemical exposures. Ali is also skilled in legal writing and motion...
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...
Samuel Leist is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Samuel, 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 Samuel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alejandra Barcenas is a Partner at Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis LTD, where she represents clients in state and federal courts throughout Chicago, Illinois, and beyond. Her practice focuses on the defense of commercial, construction, premises liability, and transportation matters, with an emphasis on efficient and strategic litigation management. Ms. Barcenas regularly handles a wide range of complex disputes, including business and commercial litigation, personal and business pr...
A versatile commercial litigator with experience that ranges from counseling employers on policy matters to appellate advocacy work, Jasmine Morton brings an outstanding work ethic, skill, and commitment to team work to every client she serves. Jasmine focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, including False Claims Act cases, government enforcement inquiries, employment disputes, automobile liability, personal injury, general tort/negligence, and premises liability claims, and commer...
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...
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.