McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

Samuel Barder focuses his practice on litigation and investigation matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Sam served as a law clerk to Judge Jay S. Bybee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge James P. Hanlon of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

While earning his law degree, Sam served as the managing editor of the University of Illinois Law Review, participated in the University of Illinois Federal Civil Rights Clinic, and externed at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Brigid McCarthy focuses her practice on white-collar and securities defense matters, including the defense of criminal and civil investigations brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and State Attorneys General. Brigid has substantial experience conducting internal investigations in response to both government and other regulatory subpoenas. She represents and counsels clients in matters involving the False Claims Act, federal securities and healthcare law, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among other areas including commercial disputes. She also advises clients on and manages responses to civil investigative demands and government subpoenas.

Brigid has also defended several companies and individuals in ERISA litigation involving Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Brigid’s ERISA experience includes defense of ESOP plan sponsor companies, their directors and officers and plan fiduciaries in class action lawsuits brought by plan participants. Brigid has experience defending claims involving breach of fiduciary duty, prohibited transactions, retirement plan investments and fees and withdrawal liability.

Brigid also has experience in various commercial litigation matters, including white-collar and securities defense matters, product liability actions and class actions. She represents clients in both federal and state courts across the country. She has experience trying cases in federal court and arguing and drafting a variety of motions in both state and federal court.

Brigid maintains an active pro bono practice in several areas, including immigration, wrongful convictions and civil rights. In 2023, she represented a Mongolian woman in a grant of asylum after the asylee fled her home country in fear of her violent former partner.

Prior to rejoining McDermott, Brigid clerked for the Honorable John F. Kness in the Northern District of Illinois. She served as a judicial extern for the Hon. William J. Bauer of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and a judicial intern for the Hon. Michael T. Mason of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She also interned at the Office of General Counsel to the Illinois Governor.

J. Christian (Chris) Nemeth provides legal counsel on complex commercial litigation and government investigations, including ERISA matters, financial and banking cases, business torts, and breach of contract actions. Chris is the Miami lead of McDermott Will & Schulte's Litigation Practice Group and co-head of the ERISA litigation practice. He works closely with the firm’s Employee Benefits Practice Group on all types of litigation matters, Department of Labor investigations, and similar issues.

Chris represents clients in courts at the state and federal levels across the country and has successfully tried cases involving a wide range of matters. He also arbitrates cases in domestic and international forums.

Chris has extensive appellate experience as well. He has successfully appealed cases to the Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits and to the Illinois Court of Appeals.