Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Announces Election of 7 New Partners
Boston; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Los Angeles; Rockford, Illinois – The national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is proud to announce the election of the following attorneys to partnership:
Based in Hinshaw’s Chicago office, V. Brette Bensinger focuses her practice in the area of labor and employment law, representing management in both the private and public sectors. She has litigated class action discrimination claims, counseled clients on internal investigations and has particular experience in wage and hour disputes in the context of private litigation, as well as with the U.S. Department of Labor and Illinois Department of Labor. Ms. Bensinger recently represented the first and only elected official to be found in compliance and dismissed from a longstanding political discrimination lawsuit which is still active against other elected officials. Her experience also includes defending clients in premises liability and regulatory matters. Ms. Bensinger is an active participant in the Illinois Constitutional Rights Foundation Lawyers in a Classroom Program and serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Founders’ Board. Ms. Bensinger earned her J.D. (2005) from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law and her B.A. (2000) from Northwestern University.
Based in Hinshaw’s Boston office, Samuel C. Bodurtha focuses his practice in the area of professional liability, with particular emphasis on the representation of attorneys. He also represents insurance companies in coverage matters, and lenders, servicers and their agents and vendors in all aspects of claims arising out of contested foreclosures. Mr. Bodurtha handles legal matters in state and federal courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He earned his J.D. (2004) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he graduated cum laude, and his B.A. (1999) from Bowdoin College, where he graduated cum laude.
Based in Hinshaw’s Rockford office, Sherry L. Harlan represents small and midsized business in their financing, general corporate and real estate matters. Ms. Harlan focuses her counsel on matters involving annexation, contracts, leasing and zoning. She also has experience handling legal matters related to real estate acquisition and development. Ms. Harlan earned her J.D. (1987) from the University of Wisconsin School of Law and her B.A. (1983) from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Based in Hinshaw’s Rockford office, Carol A. Lockwood focuses her practice in the areas of transactions and real estate matters. Ms. Lockwood assists developers in acquiring property and with the related annexation and zoning requirements for residential and commercial projects. She has also handled real estate acquisitions for a HUD-sponsored project. Ms. Lockwood earned her J.D. (2001) from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She also holds a Ph.D. (1991) and an M.A. (1987) from the University of Sussex, England and received her B.A. from Northwestern University in 1985.
Based in Hinshaw’s Chicago office, Conrad C. Nowak represents clients across many states in high-profile, sensitive litigation as well as in transactional matters. Mr. Nowak has handled matters in a variety of areas, including alarm and security services, catastrophic occurrences, commercial litigation, commercial transactions, general liability, labor and employment, and products liability. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Polish American Association. Mr. Nowak earned his J.D. (2002) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and his B.A. (1998) from DePaul University, where he graduated with honors. He is fluent in Polish and Serbo-Croatian.
Based in Hinshaw’s Fort Lauderdale office, Martin D. Stern represents clients in lawsuits involving automobile and trucking matters, breaches of contract, construction issues, contribution, employer liability claims, general liability, hospitality topics, indemnity, personal injury, premises liability, products liability, subrogation, and wrongful death claims. He also provides representation in complex arbitrations involving preferred-provider disputes associated with reimbursement rates. Mr. Stern earned his J.D. (1994) from Widener University School of Law, and his B.B.A. (1991) from Florida Atlantic University, where he graduated with honors. He also earned an A.A.S. (1988) from the Community College of the Air Force, and served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force for six years, during which time he received numerous honors related to his service.
Based in Hinshaw’s Los Angeles office, Ray Tamaddon focuses his practice in business and commercial litigation and transactions, insurance coverage disputes and bad faith claims, and labor and employment matters. In his insurance law practice, he has served as lead counsel in large-exposure complex insurance coverage cases throughout the West Coast and Hawaii and briefed and argued issues of first impression. As part of Mr. Tamaddon’s employment practice, he has handled litigation and internal investigations, counseled on various employment issues, and assisted employers with risk-management efforts. Mr. Tamaddon earned his J.D. (1989) from Boston University School of Law and his A.B. (1986) from Bowdoin College.