Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP > Chicago, United States > Firm Profile

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 2

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP fields a team of specialist M&A practitioners who are the trusted partners of a variety of longstanding and new clients operating in a range of sectors, notably metals and mining. Led from Chicago, the team regularly works with top Canadian natural resources companies on some of their most significant transactions. Practice head John Koenigsknecht stands out for his strong background in domestic and cross-border M&A involving public and private companies. Devoted to complex transactional and corporate governance matters, Michael Gray handles a mix of M&A, private equity deals and venture capital investments. Middle-market businesses regularly seek Joshua Klein‘s assistance in deals taking place in the tech, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and life sciences spaces. Cristina DeMento primarily attracts instructions from high-growth companies and their investors. All named attorneys are based in Chicago.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 4

Chicago-based law firm Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP provides a one-stop-shop which integrates its counselling practice with its litigation offering, supporting clients in disputes at state and federal level, in addition to those before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The team is led by Thomas McDonough, who employs pre-designed litigation strategies to act for clients across the consumer electronics, hospitality, beverages, software, and entertainment sectors, and Michael Kelber, an expert in software licenses. Other key figures include Lee Eulgen, who advises clients on data ownership and online compliance, and Antony McShane, a specialist in traditional and digital IP assets. Andrea Stein Fuelleman develops international anti-counterfeiting programs and is recommended alongside associates Lee Barrington Stark, who serves on the firm’s sustainability committee, and Jessica Rissman Cohen, who handles social media and cybersquatting matters. Counsel Andrew Fraker brings strength to the tech sectors. All lawyers mentioned work in Chicago.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 5

The Chicago-based team at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP advises clients on a range of benefit and compensation plans, as well as issues including IRS and DOL audits, compliance with tax and ERISA requirements, and large multiemployer arrangements. The group also competently handle complex and emerging issues, such as travel expense benefits in the wake of Dobbs vs Jackson, fertility, paternity and maternity benefits, and advising on the implications of SECURE 2.0. Andrew Douglass joined from Reed Smith LLP in May 2022, adding extensive knowledge of the financial and legal considerations that concern qualified and nonqualified retirement plans. Team head Patricia Cain is particularly active in the financial and manufacturing sectors, advising clients on the design and implementation of pension, health and welfare plans, while Jeffrey Bakker helps businesses understand their critical fiduciary duties as well as preparing their employment and separation agreements. Linda Hoseman focuses on retirement and welfare plans, ensuring they comply with legislative and regulatory change.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 7

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP‘s Chicago-based practice is most active in matters pertaining to domestic and international tax and business planning, SALT, and unclaimed property compliance. Practice head and certified accountant Jeffrey Shamberg‘s wide-ranging national clientele comprises REITs, hedge funds, start-ups, partnerships and LLCs, public and private corporations, and high-net-worth individuals. John Biek is highly experienced in the emerging field of unclaimed property. Eric McLimore works with a number of for-profit and tax-exempt clients. Former co-head Scott Bakal left the firm in March 2022.