Ranking tables

Private Equity: Buyouts | USA

Illinois

Rankings overview for Lawyers

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E

Eminent Practitioners

  1. Jon A Ballis
    E
    Jon A Ballis
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Eminent Practitioners | 23 Years Ranked

    Jon Ballis is chairman of Kirkland & Ellis. He is a highly experienced practitioner who is well versed in representing private equity firms in substantial transactions.

1

Band 1

  1. Brian F Richards
    1
    Brian F Richards
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Paul Hastings LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    Brian Richards is a strong presence in the market who is notably active representing private equity clients in the sale of companies. He regularly handles international mandates.
  2. Neill Jakobe
    1
    Neill Jakobe
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked

    Neill Jakobe acts on high value transactions in the private equity space. He advises on acquisitions and dispositions, among other deals.

  3. Sanford E Perl
    1
    Sanford E Perl
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 1 | 23 Years Ranked

    Sanford Perl is a leading corporate lawyer who represents prominent private equity firms. His experience includes acting on multibillion-dollar mergers.

2

Band 2

  1. Amit Mehta
    2
    Amit Mehta
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Paul Hastings LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked
    Amit Mehta is a key partner in the team. He assists private equity clients with the acquisition of businesses.
  2. Brooks B Gruemmer
    2
    Brooks B Gruemmer
    McDermott Will & Schulte
    McDermott Will & Schulte | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked
    Brooks Gruemmer represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, among other clients. He often works on sales and acquisitions.
  3. Douglas C Gessner
    2
    Douglas C Gessner
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked

    Douglas Gessner has a practice which includes recapitalizations and the formation of private equity funds. He also frequently handles acquisitions and sales.

  4. Kimberly T. Smith
    2
    Kimberly T. Smith
    Katten
    Katten | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked

    Kimberly Smith is recognized for her capabilities in M&A. She has additional expertise in LBOs and joint ventures. She serves as the global chair of Katten's corporate department.

  5. Matthew J Richards
    2
    Matthew J Richards
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Matthew Richards has an impressive practice that includes advising on international deals. He is experienced in handling acquisitions and divestitures for private equity firms.
  6. Richard J Campbell
    2
    Richard J Campbell
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked

    Richard Campbell frequently handles M&A and capital markets transactions. He is experienced in advising on cross-border matters.

  7. Ted M Frankel
    2
    Ted M Frankel
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked

    Ted Frankel represents a range of clients that include private equity sponsors. He has strong skills in acquisitions, divestitures and recapitalizations.

3

Band 3

  1. Bradley Schmarak
    3
    Bradley Schmarak
    Reed Smith LLP
    Reed Smith LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 20 Years Ranked
    Bradley Schmarak is adept at handling transactions in the private equity space. He possesses experience in recapitalizations and debt and equity raises.
  2. Chris E Abbinante
    3
    Chris E Abbinante
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Chris Abbinante represents private equity sponsors and corporations in large transactions. He has experience in the life sciences sector.
  3. Christopher Sheaffer
    3
    Christopher Sheaffer
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Paul Hastings LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Christopher Sheaffer acts for clients in the space on various acquisitions. Sheaffer chairs Paul Hastings' corporate department in Chicago and is recognized for his growing profile.
  4. Gary R Silverman
    3
    Gary R Silverman
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 20 Years Ranked
    Gary Silverman represents private equity funds in acquisitions and is active on work with international scope. He is well known in the market, and commentators note his experience in the space.
  5. Kristian Werling
    3
    Kristian Werling
    McDermott Will & Schulte
    McDermott Will & Schulte | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Kristian Werling is highlighted by market sources for his experience in private equity transactions. He is experienced in handling healthcare deals.
  6. Michael B Gray
    3
    Michael B Gray
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked
    Michael Gray is adept at handling private equity and venture capital matters. His expertise covers financings and fund formations.
  7. Michael Shaw
    3
    Michael Shaw
    Much Shelist, P.C.
    Much Shelist, P.C. | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Michael Shaw offers clients deep experience in the private equity space. He heads the private equity and add-on acquisitions practices at Much Shelist.
  8. Mitchell Roth
    3
    Mitchell Roth
    Much Shelist, P.C.
    Much Shelist, P.C. | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Mitchell Roth represents private equity firms in transactions such as platform acquisitions. His clients also include investors and entrepreneurs.
4

Band 4

  1. Alexis Cooper
    4
    Alexis Cooper
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked

    Alexis Cooper is an highly respected name in the Illinois private equity market. She represents high profile clients in a broad range of transactions.

  2. Andrew R. Grossmann
    4
    Andrew R. Grossmann
    Barack Ferrazzano
    Barack Ferrazzano | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked

    Andrew Grossman is a strong choice to handle a range of private equity transactions.

  3. Andrew W McCune
    4
    Andrew W McCune
    Holland & Knight LLP
    Holland & Knight LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 20 Years Ranked

    Andrew McCune of Holland & Knight represents private equity firms in transactions such as platform acquisitions. He has further expertise in deals such as divestitures.

  4. Brendan Head
    4
    Brendan Head
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 13 Years Ranked

    Brendan Head is engaged on numerous transactions in the private equity space. He has experience acting on acquisitions and joint ventures.

  5. Christopher S. Atkinson
    4
    Christopher S. Atkinson
    Katten
    Katten | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked

    Christopher Atkinson advises both corporate and private equity clients, as well as venture capital firms, on a range of transactions. His broad sector expertise overs technology and life sciences.

  6. Corey Fox
    4
    Corey Fox
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Kirkland & Ellis | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked

    Corey Fox is a respected practitioner who works on a host of deals. His expertise covers financings and M&A.

  7. Geoffrey C Cockrell
    4
    Geoffrey C Cockrell
    McGuireWoods LLP
    McGuireWoods LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked

    Geoffrey Cockrell is the chair of the firm's private equity group. He has built an excellent reputation for the quality of his advice, with a focus on transactions in the healthcare space.

  8. Gregory Metz
    4
    Gregory Metz
    McDermott Will & Schulte
    McDermott Will & Schulte | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Gregory Metz acts on private equity transactions. He often advises on deals within the construction, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
  9. Harris Eisenberg
    4
    Harris Eisenberg
    DLA Piper LLP (US)
    DLA Piper LLP (US) | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked

    Harris Eisenberg is an established name in the Illinois private equity space. He advises on a broad range of transactions, with expertise spanning industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and technology.

  10. James R Cruger
    4
    James R Cruger
    Perkins Coie LLP
    Perkins Coie LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 15 Years Ranked
    James Cruger is a notable lawyer in private equity transactions. He often handles deals such as M&A and divestitures.
  11. Jeffrey Smith
    4
    Jeffrey Smith
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 15 Years Ranked
    Jeffrey Smith represents private equity firms in acquisitions and stock sales. He also handles joint ventures, mergers and restructurings.
  12. 4
    Joydeep Dasmunshi
    DLA Piper LLP (US)
    DLA Piper LLP (US) | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked

    Joydeep Dasmunshi has gained recognition for his work supporting private equity clients on a range of transactions.

  13. Mark R Grossmann
    4
    Mark R Grossmann
    Katten
    Katten | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked

    Mark Grossmann's practice incorporates expertise in both strategic and private equity M&A. He often advises on cross-border transactions.

  14. Martin Q Ruhaak
    4
    Martin Q Ruhaak
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked

    Martin Ruhaak is a well-known private equity lawyer who advises large, global firms, and their portfolio companies, in significant transactions.

  15. Michael A Nemeroff
    4
    Michael A Nemeroff
    Vedder
    Vedder | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 18 Years Ranked
    Michael Nemeroff acts for corporations and private equity firms on M&A. He often advises on cross-border mandates.
  16. Raymond F. Bogenrief
    4
    Raymond F. Bogenrief
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Raymond Bogenrief has an excellent reputation for his work representing clients in private equity and acquisitions.
  17. Richard Radnay
    4
    Richard Radnay
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Paul Hastings LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
  18. Siddesh Bale
    4
    Siddesh Bale
    Reed Smith LLP
    Reed Smith LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked

    Siddesh Bale impresses with the advice he gives to private equity firms in significant transactions. He also counts public and private companies and hedge funds among his clients.

  19. Teri Lindquist
    4
    Teri Lindquist
    Perkins Coie LLP
    Perkins Coie LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 14 Years Ranked
    Teri Lindquist represents private equity firms in acquisitions and frequently acts on fund formation work. She has further expertise in leveraged buyouts and workouts.
  20. Timothy Castelli
    4
    Timothy Castelli
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Timothy Castelli assists significant players in the private equity market with a range of transactions. His broad industry expertise includes experience in technology and pharmaceuticals.
U

Up and Coming

  1. Andrew Silver
    U
    Andrew Silver
    Much Shelist, P.C.
    Much Shelist, P.C. | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked

    Andrew Silver impresses with his high quality private equity practice. He advises clients in significant transactions across a range of industries.

  2. Kelly Padgett
    U
    Kelly Padgett
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Paul Hastings LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Up and Coming | 6 Years Ranked
    Kelly Padgett frequently assists with divestitures and acquisitions for private equity firms.
  3. Michael Wilson
    U
    Michael Wilson
    Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
    Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked

    Michael Wilson serves as co-leader of the firm's private equity team. He is highly knowledgeable of a range of transactions, and represents well-known funds and their portfolio companies.

  4. U
    Thomas Lamprecht
    Katten
    Katten | Private Equity: Buyouts
    2026 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked

    Thomas Lamprecht is recognised as a rising star in the private equity market and is noted for his experience handling a range of transactions and investment-related matters.