Chambers USA Recognizes MBT for its Labor and Employment and Insurance Coverage Practices Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson LLP has been recognized as a leading law firm in the area of labor and employment and insurance litigation by Chambers and Partners in the Chambers USA guide. This annual publication showcases leading law firms and lawyers representing corporations in the United States and internationally. Chambers and Partners’ team of 100 full-time researchers interview thousands of lawyers and their clients around the world, which provides the basis for the listings. Below are highlights of the MBT listings in Chambers USA: Labor and Employment Stacking up 17 years in the Chicago market, this firm's tremendous Illinois office practices nationally on behalf of public and private sector employers, academic institutions and nonprofits. The team exerts expertise in the areas of employment litigation, compliance and general counseling and management relations. Sources say: "Their local work is absolutely fantastic!" Joseph Tilson is an esteemed presence on the Chicago market, known for his "terrific success" in matters considered "particularly important" to the labor and employment community. With his flourishing practice in employment litigation and labor arbitration, peers commend him as an "outstanding lawyer." Brian Bulger advises employers in relation to discrimination and wrongful termination litigation, collective bargaining and union avoidance. Paul Garry has amassed more than 30 years of experience in labor and employment law. He divides his time between the firm's Chicago and Phoenix offices. Chambers USA 2012 To view MBT Chambers USA Labor and Employment rankings online, see: http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/Editorial/36565#org_66688 This Chicago firm specializes in litigation. In the labor and employment field the team counsels employers on all manner of employee relations and workplace disputes, winning particular praise for its wage and hour work. Clients include the City of Chicago, JPMorgan Chase and McDonald’s. Sources say: “An excellent boutique with a strong position in the market.” Joseph Tilson handles a wide range of employment matters but has particular experience representing public and private employers in nationwide wage and hour disputes. “He’s a terrific wage and hour lawyer, highly knowledgeable and experienced,” say sources. Brian Bulger is an acclaimed employment litigator, “incredibly bright and excellent at running big cases.” Paul Garry splits his time between the firm’s Chicago and Phoenix offices and has litigated employment cases across the country. Chambers USA 2011 This boutique firm commands the respect of peers and clients alike. Its main strength is in litigation, including wage and hour collective action cases, employment discrimination, collective bargaining negotiations and traditional labor law. It also has experience of handling major FLSA collective actions. Joseph Tilson is very well respected among peers. “He’s a well-known and experienced attorney who doesn’t just litigate but is also involved in strategy: he can fire the bullets, but can also sit back and see the bigger picture." Brian Bulger specializes in complex employment litigation, while Paul Garry handles discrimination, harassment and restrictive covenant work, often representing insurance and manufacturing companies. Chambers USA 2010 This fine boutique firm has a well-developed practice in Chicago that is now augmented by further nationwide offices, enabling it to offer clients national resources but maintain its local expertise. Litigation is a key strength for the group, particularly discrimination and wage and hour class actions; other areas of strength include collective bargaining and traditional labor relations. Founding partner Joseph Tilson is well-known in the Chicago market for large-scale class actions in wage and hour disputes. Brian Bulger "has great judgment and really knows how to counsel his clients," according to sources. He is well respected for his work on complex employment litigation matters. Paul Garry "has an unparalleled client focus" when handling discrimination, harassment and restrictive covenant work. Chambers USA 2009 Market authorities are full of praise for this “highly respected boutique practice.” Based in Chicago, this is a compact firm, but the team expanded during 2007, opening offices in Dallas, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. Sources assert that it certainly has “big firm sophistication: the lawyers are intelligent and skillful and they are not afraid to try cases.” Sources agree that Joe Tilson is “a very talented lawyer - one of the finest in the city.” He specializes in wage and hour and employment discrimination class actions and also regularly represents employers in large union negotiations. The “extremely knowledgeable” Brian Bulger advises employers on a wide range of matters, including individual and class discrimination litigation, collective bargaining, wrongful termination litigation and general employment advice. “Bright, creative and unflappable,” Paul Garry receives positive feedback for his work in the labor and employment field. His practice covers NLRB work, sexual, racial and disability discrimination, workplace harassment and state law claims involving wrongful discharge, trade secrets and restrictive covenants. Chambers USA 2008 This “classic” boutique has carved out a fine reputation for itself in the labor and employment community over the last 13 years. Brian Bulger is an exceptional lawyer with a hand in most aspects of the labor and employment practice area. His experience extends from union avoidance and collective bargaining through to wrongful termination litigation and class discrimination actions. Commentators identify him as a role model for younger lawyers on account of his “civility and professionalism.” The “fabulous” Joseph Tilson comes highly recommended for his employment litigation practice and has “real strength in wage and hour litigation.” He conducts cases all over the USA, and advises both public and private bodies on collective bargaining with unions. Chambers USA 2007 Despite this being a relatively young practice, the general consensus in that this litigation firm of 85 lawyers has individuals who are “among the best in the city.” Few would dispute the firm’s place in the upper echelons of the Chicago labor and employment market and it attracts clients with national and international profiles. “Excellent employment defense lawyer” Brian Bulger “brings the whole package to the table” and is well trusted by the market. In addition to his success as a litigator, he focuses on training managers and employees. Joseph Tilson impresses peers. Most agree that he is “a superb lawyer and a very talented guy,” contributing much to the labor and employment landscape of Chicago. Chambers USA 2006 Although only founded in 1994, the firm has quickly demonstrated “an extremely high level of sophistication,” according to the market. Indeed, some sources consider it to have already established itself as “one of the strongest boutique firms in Chicago.” Rivals were full of admiration for Joseph Tilson and his practice, telling researchers, “He is a strong lawyer; his clients are extraordinarily loyal to him, which says a lot.” His expertise is broad, covering negotiation, counseling, litigation and arbitration in both labor and employment arenas. Brian Bulger also attracted praise as a “low-key and levelheaded attorney; he doesn’t get ruffled.” Market sources appreciate the way that “he is always willing to listen to other people’s opinions” and highlighted his experience of work in the healthcare sector. Chambers USA 2005 Insurance: Dispute Resolution A broad insurance practice characterizes this highly regarded, well-established firm. It has a healthy reputation for general and professional liability, first party property and reinsurance work, and also has strong capability in commercial and personal lines and a range of risk management structures. Clients identify the team's proactive and collaborative approach to their needs as a key strength. The firm is well versed in representing major insurers, including longstanding client Zurich, which it continues to act for in a series of significant coverage disputes. Sources say: "A firm with strong negotiating skills, strong writing skills, persuasiveness in the courtroom and knowledge of coverage law nationally." Department head Scott Seaman has a fine reputation among clients and peers alike as "a leading expert in complex insurance coverage issues." He splits his practice between coverage litigation and reinsurance arbitration work, and earns particular praise from clients for his expertise in asbestos and environmental coverage issues. Peers praise James Kallianis as someone who "fights hard but conducts himself professionally." He deals with coverage litigation as part of a broad commercial litigation practice. Experienced coverage litigator Michael Marick has represented major insurers in a series of significant and high-stakes disputes with policyholders. Chambers USA 2012 To view MBT Chambers USA Insurance: Dispute Resolution rankings online, see: http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/Editorial/70773#org_66688 This Chicago boutique is focused on labour law and insurance law. Given such a dedicated focus, and a reputation for being cost-effective, the firm enjoys a high profile on the Illinois insurance scene. At the same time, it is picking up an increasing number of cases of nationwide importance. The team acted for Northern Insurance Group in obtaining a reversal of an $11 million jury verdict in the Supreme Court of California, a case of important precedent for bad faith issues. Another precedent was set in Colorado, the group acting on behalf of Valley Forge in agreeing settlement and the insurer’s right to recoup defense costs. Sources say: “This firm has a high profile on the policyholder side and is considered one of the usual suspects for big coverage litigation.” Scott Seaman is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics. Younger partner James Kallianis is particularly well respected for his expertise in D&O liability cases. Michael Marick is a senior partner at the firm who frequently advises Zurich, most recently on a number of litigations. Chambers USA 2011 This 31-strong team has an excellent reputation for its cost-effective approach. It covers a broad range of insurance coverage matters, including bad faith litigation, class actions involving claims handling, underwriting, and business practices of insurers. Sources say the firm is "a real powerhouse with a strong reputation in the industry. It is a tough adversary." James Kallianis has extensive experience representing insurers in matters involving D&O issues, employment practices, general liability, fiduciary liability and professional liability policies. Scott Seaman is praised for his specialized expertise and experience in complex insurance and reinsurance matters. Chambers USA 2010 The lawyers at this Chicago firm draw praise from commentators for their “excellent instincts and ability to produce great results.” The insurance practice as a whole offers expertise in coverage and reinsurance litigation, with skills in general liability, environmental impairment and first-party property cases. The team has represented Zurich in several coverage cases, including its environmental and asbestos coverage litigation case against GE that involved two other insurance companies. James Kallianis is one of the group's leading lawyers acting for insurers on matters involving employment practices, D&O, fiduciary and professional liability policies. Chambers USA 2009