SmithAmundsen Elects Six New Partners

CHICAGO, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- SmithAmundsen LLC is pleased to announce the election of six new partners effective May 14, 2010. The following attorneys in the firm's Chicago office were elected to partner:

Christine Anto, a member of the firm's Insurance Services Group, concentrates her practice on personal, commercial, and professional lines of insurance, as well as extra-contractual/bad faith claims. Ms. Anto has handled coverage matters in the areas of automobile liability, uninsured/underinsured motorists, homeowners, business liability, medical malpractice, construction, environmental, and toxic tort. Ms. Anto received a B.A. from Marquette University and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Timothy Liam Epstein, Chair of the firm's Sports Law Practice Group, has developed an all-encompassing sports law practice focusing on the litigation needs of players, coaches, teams, and schools. In addition to sports law matters, his experience includes corporate litigation, construction defect and injury, commercial contract litigation, and catastrophic injury cases. Mr. Epstein serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, has been selected for numerous bar association leadership positions, and currently serves as a legal analyst for Fox. Mr. Epstein received a B.A. from Boston College, cum laude, and a J.D. from The University of Illinois College of Law, cum laude.

Margaret Firnstein, a member of the firm's Insurance Services Group, focuses her practice in civil litigation, representing homeowners, small business owners, teachers, school districts, and construction-related entities in the defense of property loss and serious bodily injury/wrongful death claims. In addition to her legal practice, Margaret is an Adjunct Professor at IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law teaching Trial Advocacy and coaches the law school's mock trial team that earned the title of National Champions in 2007 and 2008. Ms. Firnstein received a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D. from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law.

William Hackney, a member of the firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Practice Group, concentrates his practice in the area of bankruptcy, corporate reorganization, and creditors' rights. Mr. Hackney has significant experience representing debtors, secured creditors, creditors' committees and trustees, among others, in all manners of chapter 11 and chapter 7 matters as well as out-of-court workouts.  He also acts as outside bankruptcy counsel to a number of corporations and provides general business counseling in distressed situations. Mr. Hackney received a B.A. from The University of Illinois and a J.D. from St. John's University School of Law.

Christopher Miller, Vice Chair of the firm's Product Liability Practice Group and a member of the firm's Entertainment Practice Group, focuses his practice on entertainment, media & privacy law, product liability, and construction litigation matters.  Mr. Miller has assisted in obtaining settlements in excess of $2.7 million and was asked to first chair on an $18 million demand trial that settled prior to jury selection.  In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Miller, under the on-air moniker of Chris Payne, hosts "Local 101," a radio show on Q101 Sunday nights at 9 pm, which features music from Chicago area musicians and bands. Mr. Miller received a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Jennifer Reddien, a member of the firm's Labor & Employment Practice Group, focuses her practice on various employment and labor law matters including employment discrimination, employment related tort actions, retaliation claims, unfair labor practices, and employment practices and policies. In addition, she handles retail litigation matters and represents Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients on cases involving premises liability, construction accidents, and products liability.  Ms. Reddien is also co-chair of the firm's Diversity Task Force. Ms. Reddien received a B.A. from Duke University and a J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School.

"We are extremely proud of each of these attorneys and the hard work and dedication they have shown the firm and especially our clients," said Larry Schechtman, SmithAmundsen's Managing Partner. "We know they will continue to be significant contributors to the firm and help us grow into the future."

SmithAmundsen LLC has grown to 130 attorneys with offices in Chicago, Rockford, St. Charles, and Woodstock, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our attorneys share a proficiency in a broad range of practice areas.  As one of Chicago's premier firms, SmithAmundsen's success is built upon a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to exceeding client expectations.  For more information on the firm, please visit www.salawus.com.

SOURCE SmithAmundsen, LLC