Dykema Chicago Attorneys Named The Best Lawyers In America 2010

Press Releases

9.01.09

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that 69 of its lawyers have been ranked by their peers as leaders in their respective fields in the newly published Woodward/White Best Lawyers in Americaguide. The legal referral guide includes six attorneys based in Dykema's Chicago office: Richard M. Bendix, Jr.(Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law); Michael C. Borders (Product Liability Litigation); Thomas R. Hill(Professional Malpractice Law); Michael S. Kurtzon(Real Estate Law); Jerome I. Maynard(Environmental Law); and Michael F. Sexton(Real Estate Law).

First published in 1983, Best Lawyersis one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession, and recognition is based on an exhaustive annual peer-review survey. For the new U.S. edition, more than 24,125 leading attorneys cast more than 2.8 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in the same and related specialties. Because of the rigorous and transparent methodology used by Best Lawyers, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyersis considered a singular honor.

Richard M. Bendix, Jr. has focused his practice on bankruptcy, insolvency and creditors' rights for over 30 years. Among Mr. Bendix's major cases was the successful reorganization of the 203 North LaSalle Street Limited Partnership, one of the largest single asset real estate cases ever filed. He frequently represents debtors and lenders in bankruptcies and out of court restructurings. He also represents landlords, assignees for the benefit of creditors and creditors' committees. In addition, Mr. Bendix represents financial institutions in real estate related Chapter 11 cases. He is a Fellow of The American College of Bankruptcy and has written and lectured on a wide variety of bankruptcy topics. A resident of Winnetka, Mr. Bendix received a B.A., with highest honors, with high distinction, and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan.

Michael C. Borders represents clients in a wide variety of litigation and litigation related matters including defending manufacturers in product liability, personal injury and commercial litigation, and insurance coverage disputes.  He is a member of the Firm's Executive Board. His recent litigation experience has included the relatively unique representation of parents sued as the result of alleged crimes committed by their children. This has resulted in repeat appearances on local and national television. A resident of Chicago, Mr. Borders received a B.B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Thomas R. Hill is the is Office Managing Member of the Chicago office and the suburban Chicago office, and most recently served as a Practice Group Leader of the Litigation Department. Mr. Hill concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability litigation, product liability litigation and other business litigation. He represents banks, finance companies and other public and private companies in contractual and credit disputes. In the commercial area, he has represented clients in a wide variety of contractual disputes, as well as Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims, securities litigation, lease disputes and construction disputes. A resident of Wilmette, Mr. Hill received his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from Loyola University-Chicago.

Michael S. Kurtzon has more than thirty years of experience in providing legal services to the real estate industry. Mr. Kurtzon counsels institutional real estate lenders on a national basis in a variety of complex lending matters including loan workouts and restructurings. He regularly represents real estate development companies in residential and commercial construction and development projects, including mixed-use projects, land acquisitions and development, financing and documentation for condominiums, and other for-sale housing projects. He also represents real estate investors and owners in acquisitions and dispositions of properties, securitized debt financings, and negotiation of architectural and construction agreements, as well as landlords and tenants in leasing transactions. A resident of Chicago, Mr. Kurtzon received an A.B. from Cornell University and a J.D. from the University of Chicago. He is a member of The American College of Real Estate Lawyers and The American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

Jerome I. Maynard, an environmental law and mediation attorney, represents some of the world's largest companies in the automotive, pharmaceutical and energy fields.  From Dykema's Chicago Office, Mr. Maynard delivers counsel based on a solid understanding of the technical aspects of environmental law - a foundation built from his scientific educational background, 15 years of technical work, litigation and mediation experience.  This background is particularly valuable in working with clients, consultants and government personnel on complex issues that involve the technical aspects of environmental regulations, compliance, remediation and redevelopment. A resident of Wilmette, Mr. Maynard received a B.S. from Michigan Technological University and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Michael F. Sexton is an Assistant Practice Group Leader of the Real Estate Practice Group.  He represents clients in the sale, acquisition and financing of commercial properties and businesses. He also represents various lending institutions in structuring and negotiating loans (both secured and unsecured). He has counseled clients on the structuring and formation of joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations, and has prepared and negotiated the organizational and governance documents related to these types of entities. A resident of Wheaton, Mr. Sexton received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Millikin University and a J.D. from the University of Illinois.