Overview
BFKN is proud to celebrate another year of success as it maintains its prestigious standing as a leading law firm, according to Chambers USA 2024. Chambers & Partners is a prominent UK-based publishing organization that ranks lawyers and law firms based on vigorous editorial research and direct conversations with lawyers and clients.
BFKN was recognized as a leading law firm in six practice areas. Additionally, nine BFKN attorneys received individual band or star rankings. BFKN’s Real Estate Group, an integral part of the firm’s foundation, is celebrating an impressive 21 consecutive Band 1 rankings in Illinois. For the first time, BFKN’s Motor Vehicle Group, along with co-chair Sarah M. Bernstein, received Band 3 recognition in the USA – Nationwide Transportation: Road (Automotive) category.
See below for BFKN’s 2024 Chambers USA practice area recognition in both Illinois and nationwide:
Illinois
- Corporate/M&A & Private Equity – Band 5
- Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – Band 2
- Litigation: General Commercial – Band 5
- Real Estate – Band 1
USA – Nationwide
- Financial Services Regulation: Financial Institutions M&A – Band 3
- Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Band 3
See below for BFKN’s 2024 Chambers USA individual attorney recognition in both Illinois and nationwide:
Illinois
- William J. Barrett (Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Band 3)
Bill is the senior member and former co-chair of BFKN’s Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Group. In recent years, Bill has focused his practice on representing secured debt holders and landlords in Chapter 11 cases and other insolvency proceedings. Bill has litigated a broad variety of cases in the bankruptcy courts, including stay relief, adequate protection, cash collateral, plan confirmation, and DIP financing motions brought by or involving secured creditors. This is Bill's 12th year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as “smart and a good advocate for his clients.” - Suzanne Bessette-Smith (Real Estate – Band 3)
As co-chair of BFKN’s Real Estate Group, Suzanne has significant experience in the representation of publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and the formation of joint ventures that combine developers and other real estate professionals with institutional financial partners. Her practice also focuses on the acquisition, disposition, and financing of industrial, office, and multi-family properties, as well as franchised hotels, and the acquisition, disposition, and financing of long-term ground-leased properties. This is Suzanne's 22nd year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing her as "a very good lawyer, sophisticated, with a good knowledge base. She's great to work with, practical, and pragmatic." - Dennis A. Ferrazzano (Real Estate – Senior Statesperson)
Dennis is a senior partner and a founder of BFKN. He concentrates his practice on commercial real estate and business planning matters. Dennis is the primary North American real estate counsel for Bernard Arnault, Groupe Arnault, LVMH, and the LVMH brands in the Americas. This is Dennis' 22nd year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as "a legend in Chicago real estate." - Matthew Kim-Miller (Real Estate – Band 4)
Matt is a partner in BFKN’s Real Estate Group. Matt’s deep and varied transactional experience is backed by first-chair work in real estate and land use litigation and administrative proceedings, foreclosures, and workouts for lenders and borrowers, the representation of public and private entities in bond issuances (including special district and homeowner association bonds), and the real estate aspects of wind and solar projects. This is Matt's 4th year being recognized by Chambers USA. - Howard J. Kirschbaum (Real Estate – Senior Statesperson)
Howard is one of the founders of BFKN and currently serves as co-managing partner. He concentrates his practice on commercial real estate and related corporate, securities, and business planning matters. Howard has extensive experience in the acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of office buildings, shopping centers and other retail locations, multi-family housing, industrial buildings and mixed-use facilities, real estate financings, restructurings and foreclosures, as well as in the formation of joint ventures between institutional partners and developers. This is Howard's 22nd year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as "a dean of the Chicago real estate world.” - Nathan Q. Rugg (Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Band 5)
Nate is the chair of BFKN’s Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Group. He has extensive experience in all aspects of business reorganizations, workouts, and bankruptcies, inside and outside of court restructurings. This includes the representation of creditors, suppliers, equipment lessors, lenders, landlords, OEMs, and asset purchasers in small to large, complex Chapter 11 cases. This is Nate's 2nd year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as "very responsive and very knowledgeable in bankruptcy law." - Scott J. Slavick (Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – Band 3)
Scott is co-chair of BFKN’s Intellectual Property Group and a member of the Luxury Group. His practice focuses primarily on U.S. and international trademark prosecution, beginning with policing, managing, and protecting the expansive trademark portfolios of BFKN’s clients. This is Scott's 4th year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as "extremely responsive and has a very wide knowledge base. I've found his practicality to be spot-on and accurate, very pleased with his guidance."
USA – Nationwide
- Sarah M. Bernstein (Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Band 3)
Sarah is a co-chair of BFKN’s Motor Vehicle Group and leads the group’s transactional practice. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she helps motor vehicle manufacturers manage the sale and distribution of their products, including through counseling on franchise and dealer network matters, commercial relationships and regulatory concerns, and brand launches in the U.S. market. This is Sarah's 1st year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing her as "timely, providing superb counsel, and a pleasure to work with." - John E. Freechack (Financial Services Regulation: Financial Institutions M&A – Band 3)
John is the founder and former co-chair of BFKN’s Financial Institutions Group and has advised hundreds of financial institutions on strategic, corporate governance, and other matters. His extensive experience includes the representation of numerous public companies, as well as regional and community banks. John spends considerable time counseling institutions and their boards with respect to mergers and acquisitions, bank regulatory issues, corporate governance, and securities law matters. This is John's 3rd year being recognized by Chambers USA, with one source describing him as "a good, solid lawyer. He's an efficient deal-maker and is experienced."
To view BFKN's 2024 Chambers USA results or visit the firm profile, visit: https://chambers.com/law-firm/barack-ferrazzano-kirschbaum-nagelberg-llp-usa-5:66923
About Chambers USA
Chambers USA is the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider, highlighting the top lawyers and law firms across the USA for over two decades so that buyers of legal services are equipped to make the best choice when it matters. Chambers’ best-in-class research teams of over 200 exceptional individuals assess lawyers and law firms across the USA, conducting thousands of one-on-one interviews per year with in-house counsel and third-party experts. By providing independent and impartial intelligence and market insight, Chambers supports and enables decision-makers, from general counsel at global blue-chip firms through local businesses, to secure the talent that's right for them while saving time and mitigating risk. To learn more about Chambers methodology, click here.