Martha K. Louks* focuses on implementing high-value, efficiency-driven solutions that improve the delivery of legal services for clients. Martha collaborates with legal teams to develop technology and workflow approaches that align with case strategy, reduce costs and improve efficiency. Martha has extensive experience developing defensible processes that center on the tailored use of technology and experienced professionals to achieve results for our clients. She evaluates the efficacy of a wide range of technologies to determine which tools are best suited to a matter’s unique needs.

Martha also oversees technology and provides consulting services for McDermott Discovery. She prepares discovery preservation plans capable of withstanding intense scrutiny while simultaneously addressing the flexibility necessary for clients to meet their business obligations. She advises on electronic evidence considerations, working closely with legal teams to incorporate the results of forensic investigation into legal analysis. Martha is also highly skilled in using artificial intelligence for Technology Assisted Review and investigations, consulting on the defensibility and effectiveness of varied workflow approaches.

Martha is a Relativity Master, having three concurrent certifications: Relativity Certified Administrator, Relativity Analytics Specialist and Relativity Assisted Review Specialist.

*Non-lawyer professional

Advises alcohol beverage clients on regulatory, commercial, and compliance matters

Counsels on M&A for companies buying, selling, and investing across the beverage industry

Handles audits, investigations, arbitration, and litigation tied to alcohol beverage regulatory issues

Guides legal strategy for delivery services, new beverage collaborations, and e-commerce in the alcohol sector

Steven (Steve) S. Scholes focuses his practice on SEC investigations, shareholder litigation, including class and derivative actions, and internal investigations. He is an experienced trial lawyer, and he has tried civil, criminal and administrative cases in federal and state courts. Steve regularly represents clients before the Securities and Exchange Commission, state securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and stock, options and futures exchanges. He has served as the global head and operations partner for the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group and the head of both the Chicago Trial Group and the Firm’s SEC Defense Group.

Steve has substantial experience in securities class and derivative actions, including cases alleging accounting irregularities, illegal trading and breaches of fiduciary duty. He regularly represents public companies and their officers and directors in merger and acquisition litigation, including class and derivative actions, across the country. He has significant experience in conducting internal investigations in numerous industries, including the real estate investment trust, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and higher education industries, among others. He has also represented audit firms and corporate officers and directors in internal investigations.

A former attorney in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, Steve has been appointed by three different federal judges in Chicago to serve as receiver in SEC civil enforcement proceedings. In this role, he conducted fraud investigations, prosecuted fraudulent conveyance claims, enforced judgments, marshaled and liquidated assets, and developed and implemented plans of distribution. Stemming from his work as a receiver, Steve has extensive experience in prosecuting and in defending a wide variety of fraudulent conveyance claims.

Steve frequently speaks on securities litigation and enforcement topics. He has appeared numerous times in the press and has authored various materials concerning the federal securities laws.

Edward (Ed) Zaelke is the global co-head of the Firm’s Energy & Project Finance Group. He focuses his practice on project finance and private equity in renewable energy transactional matters. With more than 35 years of experience, he advises clients on all elements of alternative energy development and finance, including equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, equipment purchase and sale agreements, and power purchase agreements.

A prominent leader in his practice, Ed has served as lead counsel on many of the largest and most significant transactions in the renewable industry.

He also authors and speaks prolifically about various topics in the renewable energy industry. Ed is the former president of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and was a board member of AWEA for 12 consecutive years. He is also a founding board member of the Wind Solar Alliance (now a part of the American Council on Renewable Energy) and an adjunct professor at UCLA law, teaching “Renewable Energy Development and Project Finance”.