Department profile
McDermott Will & Schulte

Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2025 : Illinois


McDermott Will & Schulte

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Law - Illinois

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
The team at McDermott Will & Emery has a very strong reputation for its work with wealthy clients. It is particularly well regarded for its expertise in fiduciary litigation, estates and trusts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The MWE team provides excellent client service and has attention to detail. With them, you always know you will receive the best in class advice and work-product.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • The McDermott team is extremely well-versed in complex and sophisticated matters. The department has a strong team with a talented bench.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • They have the highest calibre of clients, they have the best technical experts. They are absolutely responsive, fantastic with their clients, and have the most sophisticated of cases.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • They don't just do the legal work but have informed opinions about outcomes and risk. Their understanding of corporate tax, gifting and estate law is superb.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • The McDermott team provides very creative solutions for difficult and complex issues. The team is extremely experienced with ultra high net worth planning techniques.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleCarol A Harrington
    Senior StatespeopleCarol A Harrington

    Carol A Harrington

    Carol Harrington is nationally renowned for her work in private wealth. Harrington is a well-known expert on complex trusts and tax structuring work for ultra-wealthy clients.

    • Carol Harrington is great: she's actually incredible.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Carol Harrington is absolutely phenomenal. She is a go-to, sophisticated and kind.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • I really like Carol, she's very rational and very practical.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Carol Harrington is dynamite. She's amazing.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1David A Baker
    Band 1David A Baker

    David A Baker

    David Baker is highly regarded for his work in trust and estate disputes, as well as his experience in fiduciary litigation. Baker leads sizeable controversy matters involving significantly wealthy families.
    • David Baker is a go-to. He is intelligent and applies the law correctly.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David is very sharp. He knows what he is doing.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Baker is the best trust and estate litigator I know in Chicago and beyond. He is very gifted, the most experienced practitioner around in this area and a fantastic advocate.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Neil Kawashima
    Band 1Neil Kawashima

    Neil Kawashima

    Neil Kawashima heads McDermott's global private client practice group. Kawashima has a well respected practice focusing on charitable giving, tax structuring and tax and estate planning.

    • Neil Kawashima is very strategic, very responsive, He tends to do more complex work and simplifies them effectively. He has an impressive skill set.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Neil has been really wonderful and a great adviser. I can go to him with any questions. As chair, he is a really great leader - helping me focus our ideas and keeping us updated on new laws.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Neil Kawashima is really good and really highly regarded.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Neil Kawashima is an outstanding trust and estate attorney. He's one of the top attorneys in the country in philanthropic planning.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • He's the head of McDermott's practice there and he has a very sophisticated practice.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2William J Butler
    Band 2William J Butler

    William J Butler

    William Butler focuses his practice on high-profile succession planning cases, particularly for multi-generational families. He is highly respected for his expertise in estates and trusts.
    • He's a master of the law, really well regarded and his clients are fantastic.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • He's really good and really likable.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • William Butler is really useful in challenging situations. He has the voice of reason. He has a lot of experience with families. He can provide a personal perspective.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Adam K. Sherman
    Band 3Adam K. Sherman

    Adam K. Sherman

    Adam Sherman has expertise in business succession estates and tax planning. He is commended by sources for his ability to convey complex issues to clients effectively.
    • Adam worked with us on a very complex project and his creativity and problem-solving skills are outstanding.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Adam has strong technical skills and can tackle any client matter brought to his attention.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Adam brings creative and thoughtful solutions to matters.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Bobbi J. Bierhals
    Band 3Bobbi J. Bierhals

    Bobbi J. Bierhals

    Bobbi Bierhals advises high net worth clients on business, tax and estate planning.
    • She is intelligent, she is tough and she is great with her clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Bobby is really an excellent lawyer.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Bobbi is a lawyer's lawyer. She is my go-to for ultra high net worth clients with complex situations and ongoing planning needs. She excels in client service and delivery.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Jeanette Hunter
    Band 3Jeanette Hunter

    Jeanette Hunter

    Jeanette Hunter advises wealthy families on multi-generational succession planning and governance issues.
    • Jeanette Hunter is super sharp and super smart. She has a way of not only being a knowledgeable expert but also explains things easily. She does a really good job making legal issues understandable.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Jeanette Hunter has it all - focus on client service, dedication to clients and strong technical skills.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Jeanette Hunter is a very valuable partner. I enjoy working with her. She understands the complexity of the family and is always available to advise on any issue, large or small.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Michael J. Sorrow
    Band 3Michael J. Sorrow

    Michael J. Sorrow

    Michael Sorrow works on estate planning, business structuring and succession matters. Sorrow's clients include large single-family offices.
    • Michael does very sophisticated, high-value and creative planning. He's great at providing details to the extent I would like him to, but also explaining things well in layman's terms when needed.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Michael is talented, intelligent and has excellent interpersonal skills.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 4Elise McGee
    Band 4Elise McGee

    Elise McGee

    Elise McGee is a Chicago-based private client partner. She advises high net worth individuals and business owners on a wide array of wealth transfer planning matters. She has expertise in estates and trusts, tax, cryptocurrency and real estate matters, and is particularly well regarded for her private trust company advisory work.

    • Elise has developed strong expertise in areas that are at the top of client's minds.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elise is very knowledgeable beyond her years.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elise does private trust company structure particularly well. Her legal sophistication, her ability to find solutions and her responsiveness are excellent.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Elise is wonderful to work with and provides excellent counsel for forming and operating a private trust company.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 4Tim Halleron
    Band 4Tim Halleron

    Tim Halleron

    Timothy Halleron is an experienced trusts and estates expert. Halleron earns praise from the market for his legal expertise, communication and responsiveness.

    • Tim is an outstanding trust and estate attorney. He is terrific to work with and very good at communicating with clients on complex matters.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • He is solid, he has good skills and fantastic clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Tim has excellent sophistication and delivers work product quickly with insight into our clients situation.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Tim is really sophisticated. He's a fantastic and intelligent lawyer.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at McDermott Will & Schulte (10)

Illinois

McDermott Will & Schulte has rankings in the following guides

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