Best Lawyers® Honors 18 Attorneys in 2018

O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong and Laing S.C. is pleased to announce that 18 lawyers have been named to the 2018 Edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.

Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries.

“For more than a third of the century,” says CEO Steven Naifeh, “Best Lawyers has been the gold standard of excellence in the legal profession.” President Phil Greer adds, “We are extremely proud of that record and equally proud to acknowledge the accomplishments of these exceptional legal professionals.”

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong and Laing S.C. would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2018 Best Lawyers in America list:

  • Douglas P. Dehler – Litigation-Insurance
  • James G. DeJong – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law
  • Seth E. Dizard – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation-Bankruptcy
  • Peter J. Faust – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Robert R. Gagan – Municipal Law
  • John G. Gehringer – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
  • Joseph E. Gumina – Litigation-Labor and Employment
  • Dennis W. Hollman –  Corporate Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Grant C. Killoran – Litigation-Health Care
  • Dean P. Laing – Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation-Defendants
  • Gregory W. Lyons – Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Insurance
  • Gregory S. Mager – Family Law
  • Patrick G. McBride – Commercial Litigation
  • Thomas A. Merkle – Family Law
  • Steven J. Slawinski – Construction Law

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. Over 54,000 leading attorneys cast more than 7.3 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”


Jim DeJong Speaks to 2017 Carroll Graduates

Jim DeJong, chairman of the Milwaukee law firm of O’Neil Cannon, provided the keynote address at Carroll University’s Commencement Sunday, May 14.

Carroll alumnus DeJong ’73 told 2017 graduates that a lot had changed since his days here but one thing is the same, “Carroll is truly a special place.” And, of course, Gert is still here. That spurred some giggles among graduates, warming up the crowd before Jim shared his key message: Be present in the moment. “While we can connect with people in various ways electronically, we can only build true relationships with intentional focus and effort,” he said. 

DeJong has been involved with Carroll University since 1958 and both he and his father the Rev. Lloyd DeJong have served terms on the Carroll University Board of Trustees. Most recently DeJong, the immediate past chair of the board, served as co-chair with Campaign Carroll, working to raise $52.7 million.

More than 670 Pioneers celebrated their Commencement in a ceremony on Main Lawn, where thousands of friends and family gathered for the special occasion.


Attorney Jim DeJong to be Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

James G. DeJong, a 1973 Carroll graduate and president of the Milwaukee law firm O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong and Laing, will be inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society during a ceremony at Carroll University in April. Founded in 1897, this highly selective honors society was created to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.

A Mequon, Wis., resident, DeJong joined Carroll’s Board of Trustees in May 2008. He has served on the Board’s Executive and Institutional Advancement committees and was elected Board Chair in 2013. He is serving a three-year term.


Attorney Jim DeJong Elected Chair of the Carroll University Board of Trustees

James DeJong has been elected the next chair of the Carroll University Board of Trustees. He will serve as chairman for three years on the board, which oversees academic, financial, and operational decisions for the private Waukesha University.

James G. DeJong, a 1973 graduate of Carroll, is president of the Milwaukee law firm O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong and Laing and has served as a member of the University’s board since 2008.

…Read More »


Attorney Jim DeJong Featured in Marquette Lawyer Magazine

Attorney Jim DeJong was featured in an article appearing in the 2013 Summer Edition of the Marquette Lawyer Magazine.  Read the article about Jim here.


Jim DeJong to Deliver Presentation on Leadership

On May 18, 2007, Attorney Jim DeJong will deliver a presentation on “Leading Those who do not Want to be Lead” at the CSI Management Coaching Clinic to be held from 11:30 – 4:30 at North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls.

The clinic will focus on the development of leadership skills, both for current and future business leaders. Other presenters include Terry Mather of CSI Consulting and Don Menefee of Silent Partner.

Jim DeJong is president and managing shareholder of O’Neil Cannon He works with business clients in a wide variety of industries and service sectors, providing them with creative counsel and strategic help. Jim’s corporate, LLC, and partnership practice is diverse and he is experienced in successfully guiding his clients through complex matters including forming and financing entities, as well as negotiating and preparing contracts and related documents. He also represents buyers or sellers of businesses, and provides counsel to clients on operational and governance matters.

O’Neil Cannon is a full-service legal practice focusing on business law, estate planning, and major complex litigation with offices currently in Milwaukee and Port Washington. On June 1, 2007, the firm will add an office in Sheboygan by joining forces with Hopp Neumann Humke LLP, one of Sheboygan’s oldest and largest law firms. OCHD was established in 1973 and is now listed as one of the Milwaukee-area’s largest law firms.