McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

Barrick Bollman focuses his practice on various labor and employment issues and litigation, with particular emphasis on prosecuting and defending employee mobility, restrictive covenant, and trade secret litigation cases across various industries and jurisdictions. Barrick often litigates issues involving executive compensation and bonus issues, claims for wrongful termination and discrimination, and wage and hour claims. Barrick is a skilled advocate, successfully briefing and arguing multiple matters in the federal and state courts of appeals.

Beyond litigation, Barrick regularly counsels companies in the hiring of individuals subject to restrictive covenants and is experienced in drafting employment agreements and multi-jurisdictional restrictive covenants, as well as termination and separation agreements, ranging from non-exempt employees to CEOs. Additionally, Barrick advises on employee handbooks and policies, employee leaves of absence, discipline and performance issues, disability accommodation, and independent contractor relationships.

Before joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Barrick served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kenneth F. Ripple of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. While in law school, he served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Amy J. St. Eve of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In addition, Barrick was a notes editor for the Northwestern University Law Review.

Nicole Briody focuses her practice on corporate finance. She represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, public and private companies, and alternative and direct lenders in connection with the negotiation and documentation of domestic and cross-border credit facilities related to leveraged acquisitions, recapitalizations and loan workouts and restructurings.

Ann Marie Brodarick focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, and other general corporate matters. Ann Marie advises financial and strategic buyers, sellers and investors in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other private equity investments, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations and similar transactions.

Jeff Cassidy focuses his practice on general corporate matters and transactions.

While in law school, Jeff was associate editor for the University of Illinois Law Review, volunteered with the University of Illinois Community Preservation Clinic and the Marshall County Public Defender’s Office, and was a judicial extern for the Honorable James E. Shadid, chief judge of the US District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

George M. Houhanisin advises clients on corporate finance, corporate restructurings and general commercial transactions. He has represented private and public companies, as well as financial institutions, in connection with syndicated secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-based lending, acquisition financings, recapitalizations, bridge financings, senior subordinated debt and mezzanine transactions for sponsored acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, refinancings and general corporate purposes. George has also worked on international finance transactions, primarily focusing on Europe and North America.

While in law school, George served as a law clerk for the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, where he provided pro bono legal advice on transactional matters.

In addition, George regularly presents on financing topics, including serving as a guest speaker at the Fletcher School at Tufts University regarding international finance topics and trends.

Jarrett Szczesny focuses his practice on representing private equity and other investment funds and privately held companies in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, venture capital investments, restructurings and other transactions. He provides general corporate counseling to portfolio companies and other clients on matters such as corporate governance, employment, financing and incentive equity. Jarrett’s transactional experience spans a variety of industries, including private equity, health care services and manufacturing.

John Zukin focuses his practice on complex business transactions. He regularly represents private equity clients and strategic investors in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and a broad range of general corporate and governance matters.

John has experience across various industries, including healthcare, technology, life sciences, industrials, consumer and retail, and business services.

Terry Brennan advises clients on corporate and transactional matters. Terry has broad-ranging experience with mergers and acquisitions, regularly representing buyers and sellers in both private and public acquisitions. He drafts, reviews and edits a variety of contracts, including experience with joint venture agreements for commercial real estate investments. He also has experience in structured note offerings and private investment fund formation.

Prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Terry served as in-house counsel for a fintech startup where he provided legal advice on contracts, employment issues, regulatory and anti-money laundering compliance and other matters (including advising the company on a multi-million dollar loan agreement and Series B fundraising round). Prior to his in-house role, Terry was an associate at a global law firm based in Chicago. During his time as an associate Terry focused his practice on mergers and acquisitions and spent time on secondment with both The Dow Chemical Company and Yum! Brands.

While earning his law degree, Terry participated in the Honors Law Program in the Enforcement Division of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and was a compliance intern at a financial services organization. He served as executive articles editor of the Chicago-Kent Law Review and as vice president of financial affairs of the American Constitution Society.

Brandon Sarkauskas focuses his practice on corporate and transactional matters.

Anna Sikorski focuses her practice on transactional and corporate matters.

While in law school, served as associate editor of the DePaul Law Review. Prior to attending law school, Anna was a transaction coordinator for a North American real estate investment firm. She holds an Illinois real estate broker license.

Christopher Stacker focuses his practice on complex business transactions, representing private equity and other investment funds, private and public companies, and family offices. Christopher regularly represents clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and a broad range of general corporate and governance matters. His experience spans a wide range of industries, including software and technology, health care, manufacturing, consumer products, insurance and financial services.