Department profile
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Litigation: General Commercial

USA Guide 2026 : Illinois


Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Goldman Ismail handles an extensive array of high-profile commercial matters. In recent years, these cases have included securities disputes, breach-of-contract litigation, fraud and non-compete matters, and ERISA arbitrations. Our approach to commercial cases combines our technical, financial, and scientific expertise with our intense focus on trial-ready themes to achieve the best possible results for our clients. Goldman Ismail has been recognized for its outstanding commercial litigation practice in Legal 500, Chambers, and LMG Life Sciences. In addition to our renowned defense of pharmaceutical companies, we have litigated in federal, state, and appellate courts on behalf of Fortune Global 500 corporations, as well as public and closely held companies, on a variety of issues. Whatever the company, whatever the problem, our collective and individual mastery of the case and its subject matter enables us to craft comprehensive legal and business strategies that achieve our clients’ commercial and legal objectives.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - Illinois

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum is a well-regarded litigation practice particularly noted for its nationwide strength in product liability and mass tort matters. The firm also offers expertise in antitrust cases and IP disputes, including patent infringement claims. It represents a number of household names in the pharmaceutical space, drawing on significant trial strength and scientific expertise. It also represents major clients in the entertainment, sports, technology and retail industries.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum represented Merck & Co in a product liability litigation relating to Merck's Gardasil vaccine, which protects against HPV infection and cancers caused by the infection.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • For really high stakes, complex matters, I trust they have a deep bench, come up with really practical advice and get to the answer quickly.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Despite being busy, every client that works with them feels like their only client. They are very responsive.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Goldman Ismail is exceptionally well-equipped to handle complex and sophisticated legal matters. Its combination of legal and scientific expertise, proven track record, strategic approach and efficient case management make it a top choice for clients facing their most challenging litigation.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Their attorneys become so steeped in the subject matter, that their knowledge rivals those of our company employees. They are encyclopedic on the substance and history of the litigation and are unmatched in their preparation and presentation.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The depth of that firm's trial skills and ability to advocate successfully on a difficult set of facts and win the case is unbelievable. Trial is their sole area of focus and they are incredibly dedicated to clients.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsTarek Ismail
    Star IndividualsTarek Ismail

    Tarek Ismail

    Tarek Ismail brings his expert market-leading trial practice to bear in a range of high value civil disputes, including defending against complex product liability class actions and handling antitrust litigation.

    • Tarek is the best trial lawyer in America. He is just outstanding and the most effective trial lawyer I have ever seen.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • He has amazing credibility with the jury and is a top-notch trial lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Tarek is the best of the best in my opinion. He is very responsive and collaborative.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Tarek gives me an incredible sense of calm. He is so confident and inspiring. He really takes people apart in cross-examination and is a really effective courtroom litigator.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • I think he is the smartest person I have ever met.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 1Shayna Cook
    Band 1Shayna Cook

    Shayna Cook

    Shayna Cook is an experienced trial lawyer noted for her impressive strength acting for major pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in challenging multidistrict litigation.

    • Shayna is one of the best trial lawyers in the country. She is one of the few people who can get defense verdicts in a strong plaintiff culture.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Shayna is a top-notch first-chair trial lawyer. She is an incredible communicator and is very relatable to the jury.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Shayna digs in on issues and is a great advocate.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Her ability with the jury is amazing. She is an amazing trial lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 2Andrew Rima
    Band 2Andrew Rima

    Andrew Rima

    Andrew Rima is highlighted for his adroit representation of notable pharmaceutical clients and other manufacturers in complex product liability and mass tort litigation.

    • Andrew is incredibly effective and creative. He is great in discovery and also on the attack in court.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 2Brian O'Donoghue
    Band 2Brian O'Donoghue

    Brian O'Donoghue

    Brian O'Donoghue has noteworthy experience handling complex toxic tort and harmful exposure litigation for global manufacturers.

    • Brian is a true legal partner. He has helped us get through toughest matters, his counsel is always spot on and he always gets us to the right place.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • He has deep experience, is outstanding at clients service and can see the forest through the trees.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 2Emma Ross
    Band 2Emma Ross

    Emma Ross

    Emma Ross is increasingly recognized for her litigation expertise, with particular strength representing pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
    • Emma is also a medical doctor and can communicate with experts. She is incredibly skilled at building these relationships of trust and can present testimonies well. She is also a trial lawyer and knows the most complex things, but can also present them to a jury and a judge in a persuasive way.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Emma is really smart. She brings a level of knowledge that is so valuable and has great trial experience.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • She is super strategic and good at anticipating the moves of the other side.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Jennifer L. Greenblatt
    Band 3Jennifer L. Greenblatt

    Jennifer L. Greenblatt

    Jennifer Greenblatt is noted for her experience representing clients in connection with business disputes, product liability claims and antitrust-related actions.

    • She is very good at preparing a case for trial, pushing a case forward and marshaling the facts.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Jennifer has everything down to a science. She is the most prepared person in the room always and is never caught flat-footed or without an answer to a question from a judge. She is an extremely poised and talented trial lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • She is excellent on her feet and a great legal strategist.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Jennifer is highly rated for her legal expertise, analytical skills and collaborative approach. She is considered a strong and reliable attorney at Goldman Ismail, particularly well-suited for handling complex and high stakes litigation.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • She is very talented and accomplished.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingAllyson Julien
    Up and ComingAllyson Julien

    Allyson Julien

    Allyson Julien has notable experience representing Fortune 500 corporations in commercial and product liability litigation.

    • Allyson is really impressive. She combines on-her-feet trial skills with legal strategy, and she can run a team so well.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Allyson is a rising star. She has a sharp mind for strategy and is responsible for many of our successes. She continues to impress in every setting, whether before the client or before the judge and jury.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingLaura Sexton
    Up and ComingLaura Sexton

    Laura Sexton

    Laura Sexton is increasingly recognized for her deep experience in class actions, antitrust litigation and product liability matters.

    • She is extremely practical, always comes up with great recommendations on approach and strategy and she knows how to coordinate everything.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingRami Fakhouri
    Up and ComingRami Fakhouri

    Rami Fakhouri

    Rami Fakhouri is an experienced trial lawyer and litigator with a notable expertise in the pharmaceutical and medical device spaces, assisting clients with product liability cases.

    • Rami is a real detail-oriented person. He pulls together significant strategy work and handles a wide range of detailed information.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • He is an excellent writer, he's very strategic and a big picture thinker.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • What I am impressed by is actually his restraint. He does his cross-examinations perfectly, with great impact.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP (11)

Illinois

Members

Provided by Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

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