News
Fifteen Ice Miller Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Illinois Leading Lawyers & Emerging Lawyers
Ice Miller is proud to announce that 15 of its lawyers have been selected by their peers as 2026 Illinois Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers, 13 named Leading Lawyers, while two lawyers were named Emerging Lawyers. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois earn the Leading Lawyer distinction, making this recognition a meaningful reflection of the trust clients and peers place in the firm.
This recognition reflects the breadth and depth of Ice Miller's regional platform including corporate finance law, health care, commercial litigation, public finance, trusts and estates law, intellectual property, and real estate.
"This recognition is a direct reflection of the caliber of talent we've built in our Illinois office," said Laurie Miller, Deputy Managing Partner at Ice Miller. "To be selected by your peers is among the most meaningful forms of recognition in our profession, and it speaks to the depth, consistency, and client focus that define our platform in Illinois and beyond."
Ice Miller's 2026 Illinois Leading Lawyers
The following Ice Miller attorneys were named 2026 Illinois Leading Lawyers:
Jason R. Berne
Michael A. Chabraja
Eric E. Kalnins
Alice A. Kelly
Jason T. Lundy
Laurie M. Miller
Bart T. Murphy
Daniel J. Polatsek
Thomas A. Rammer, II
Ethan E. Rii
Thomas C. Smith
Justin D. Swindells
Steven J. Thayer
Partner Steven J. Thayer has also been selected to serve as a member of the Advisory Board for Leading Lawyers. Advisory Board Members are chosen from those Leading Lawyers who were most often recommended in their respective areas of practice. Board members review and vet prospective Leading Lawyers for their region or areas of law.
Ice Miller's 2026 Illinois Emerging Lawyers
Emerging Lawyers have been identified by their peers to be among the top attorneys in their state, who are age 40 or younger and have practiced for no more than 10 years.
The following Ice Miller attorneys have been named 2026 Illinois Emerging Lawyers:
R. Ryan Bennett
Lacee J. Wentworth
About Leading Lawyers
Since 2003, Leading Lawyers has helped consumers — of all levels of legal purchasing experience — find a better lawyer faster. From those who have never hired an attorney to in-house counsel at Fortune 500 businesses, Leading Lawyers is a trusted source of reliable names and biographical information. Only those lawyers who are most often recommended, and later approved by our Advisory Board, are selected as Leading Lawyers.
About Ice Miller
Ice Miller is a full-service law firm dedicated to helping our clients stay ahead in a changing world. With more than 350 legal professionals across the nation, we advise clients on all aspects of the complex legal issues impacting businesses each day. We serve private equity and venture capital funds, large private and emerging growth companies, Fortune 500 corporations, municipal entities, family offices, and nonprofits. To learn more, visit us at icemiller.com.
