Overview
McDermott is proud to announce that five of the Firm’s lawyers have been named to “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business. John M. Callahan, Michael P. Chu, Ashley M. Fischer, Stephanie S. McCann and Jennifer M. Mikulina bring their passion and commitment to bear for their colleagues, community and clients. This next generation of leaders offers fresh perspectives and innovative solutions across a range of industries to help businesses tackle their toughest challenges.
John Callahan is head of the Firm’s International Health M&A practice and Managing Partner of the Firm’s Chicago office. With over 25 years in the industry and a client-oriented approach to executing transactions, John advises clients on health sector mergers and acquisitions. John is a well-respected thought leader in the health law arena, having guest lectured on health industry transactions and trends for 10 years at Northwestern University’s Law School and at Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Michael Chu is head of Chicago’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice and handles all aspects of patent law, including complex litigation, opinions and prosecution. Michael currently serves as the Chair of the Firm’s Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee. He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago on their list of “Most Influential Minority Lawyers” and is a recipient of the Chinese American Bar Association’s Liu Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael serves as Board Chair for Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago. Mike is also a former president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and former Board Chair for the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms.
Ashley Fischer is a partner in the Firm’s Health Practice Group. She advises clients across all sectors of the health industry on antitrust matters including transactions, collaborations, investigations and conduct. Ashley serves on the Firm’s Management Committee and previously was head of the Firm’s Health Practice Group in Chicago. She serves as a Vice Chair of the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Antitrust Practice Group and is an active AHLA speaker. She is also the former editor of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section’s Health Care Committee Recent Developments. Her experience and superior client service have been recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers and BTI Consulting Group.
Stephanie McCann is a partner in the Firm’s Corporate practice and a member of the Firm’s Executive and Management Committees. She represents private equity groups, commercial lending institutions and major public and private companies in connection with the structuring, negotiation and documentation of secured and unsecured financing transactions, including senior, mezzanine and subordinated debt transactions, acquisition financings, loan workouts and restructurings. Stephanie is also an active member of the Chicago legal community, having served on the Executive Committee of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law.
Jennifer Mikulina is head of the Firm’s global Trademark Prosecution practice and focuses on trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution, licensing and enforcement. She currently serves as co-chair of the Firm’s Gender Diversity Committee and has been shortlisted for the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: USA 2019 in “Gender Diversity Lawyer of the Year” for her dedication to advancing equality and opportunities for all. Outside of the office, she serves as an officer on the Boards of Directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and Lawyers for the Creative Arts.
View the full list of “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law” here.
About McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. With more than 20 locations on three continents, our team works seamlessly across practices, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,100 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
