Overview
BFKN is pleased to announce Maria Makar as the newest addition to the Litigation Group. Maria focuses her practice on a wide range of complex litigation matters. Maria also has extensive experience handling matters involving criminal defense and regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, civil and commercial litigation, class actions, judgment enforcement and asset recovery, and financial products and services disputes. Prior to joining BFKN, Maria was an associate at Kobre & Kim in their New York office, where she crafted global and innovative strategies for clients to solve sensitive and complex business problems.
"We are thrilled to welcome Maria Makar to our strong team of litigators and trial lawyers. Maria’s experience as a clerk at the federal court of appeals and district court and her time spent on complex commercial litigation and investigations for high-profile clients and matters make her a perfect fit and great addition to our team."
— Maile Hitomi Solís, Co-Chair, Litigation Group
BFKN is also pleased to announce Corwin J. Carr as the newest addition to the Compensation & Employment Group. Corwin has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and representing companies in labor and employment disputes before administrative agencies and in federal court. In addition to his litigation practice, Corwin has worked with employers to conduct internal investigations into all manner of employment issues, and has a robust advice and counsel practice focused on providing business-oriented solutions to employers’ legal challenges. Prior to joining BFKN, Corwin was a senior associate in Mayer Brown’s Chicago office and a member of its Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice.
“We are excited to welcome Corwin to our Compensation & Employment Group. Corwin has extensive experience providing legal advice and counsel to companies on a range of employment law issues. His background, experience and commitment to client service make him a wonderful addition to our growing practice group and will help to further enhance and expand the employment side of our practice.”
— Andrew K. Strimaitis, Chair, Compensation & Employment Group
BFKN is also pleased to announce Victoria Rusanova Cordiak as the newest addition to the Corporate & Securities Group. Victoria represents U.S. and multinational clients in a variety of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and financings, debt and equity securities offerings, and corporate governance issues. Prior to joining BFKN, Victoria was an associate in the Insurance and Financial Services group of Sidley Austin LLP’s Chicago office, where she gained comprehensive experience representing insurance industry and private equity clients on transactional and regulatory matters.
"We are thrilled to add Victoria to our Corporate & Securities and Fashion, Luxury and Retail Groups. Victoria’s work ethic, attention to detail and personality will combine to make her an excellent addition to BFKN and an asset to our clients."
— James R. Whitney, Chair, Corporate & Securities Group
About Our Practice Areas
Litigation Group
BFKN's trial lawyers have managed thousands of commercial disputes concerning securities and derivative securities; contracts; motor vehicle franchises; trade secrets; licensing disputes; consumer class actions; real estate; professional liability; civil RICO and conspiracy actions; director and officer matters; negligence and product liability; bankruptcy and creditors' rights; and bank regulatory and other financial disputes. The diverse experience of the trial lawyers at BFKN positions our clients with an attorney experienced in the particular area of law to minimize our clients' exposure and maximize their recovery at trial. The firm's structure and staffing philosophy allow us to achieve our clients' business goals through an efficient litigation process.
Compensation & Employment Group
BFKN’s Compensation & Employment Group encompasses the broad range of compensation and employment issues faced by the firm’s clients of all sizes and many varied industries. The Group advises clients in all aspects of executive compensation, employee benefits, and employment and labor matters, all within the complex statutory and regulatory framework in which these plans and arrangements exist. We seek to find the most cost- and time-efficient solutions to our client needs, whether in plan design, implementation and administration, or dispute resolution.
Corporate & Securities Group
BFKN’s Corporate & Securities Group represents public and privately held domestic and international companies, as well as investors and boards of directors, in a wide range of corporate and securities law matters. Our broad experience includes mergers, acquisitions and sales of businesses, domestic and international joint ventures, public and private securities offerings and underwritings, SEC filings and compliance matters, corporate governance and stockholder issues, takeover and anti-takeover counseling, leveraged buyouts, private equity, venture capital, and corporate finance.