19 O’Neil Cannon Lawyers Selected as 2027 Best Lawyers; Another 3 Named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

We are pleased to announce that 19 of our lawyers have been included in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and an additional three have been selected as 2027 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

The following are the O’Neil Cannon lawyers named to the 2027 lists:

Best Lawyers in America

  • Doug Dehler – Litigation – Insurance
  • Jim DeJong – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Seth Dizard – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy
  • Pete Faust – Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • John Gehringer – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate Law
  • Joseph Gumina – Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Dennis Hollman – Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates
  • Grant Killoran – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Health Care
  • JB Koenings – Corporate Law
  • Dean Laing – Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • Greg Lyons – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Insurance
  • Patrick McBride – Commercial Litigation
  • Joe Newbold – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • Chad Richter – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law
  • John Schreiber – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy
  • Jason Scoby – Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), and Corporate Law
  • Steve Slawinski – Construction Law
  • Karen Tidwall – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
  • Christa Wittenberg – Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

  • Maura Falk – Trusts and Estates and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
  • Jessica Haskell – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • John “Jack” McNally – Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, and Trusts and Estates

About Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers has published its 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.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

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


Super Lawyers Recognizes 28 O’Neil Cannon Attorneys

Each year, Super Lawyers surveys the State of Wisconsin’s 15,000 attorneys and judges, seeking to recognize the State’s top attorneys. Recently, Super Lawyers published its lists for 2025, which include the Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee, Super Lawyers (consisting of the top 5% of attorneys in Wisconsin), and Rising Stars (consisting of attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less).

Super Lawyers, who previously referred to the firm as “the Milwaukee mid-sized powerhouse,” recognized twenty-eight of our attorneys.

Those attorneys are the following:

  • Dino Antonopoulos:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Nick Chmurski:
    • Rising Star
  • Doug Dehler:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jim DeJong:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Seth Dizard:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Maura Falk:
    • Rising Star
  • Pete Faust:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Super Lawyer
  • John Gehringer:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Joseph Gumina:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jessica Haskell:
    • Rising Star
  • Mike Kennedy:
    • Rising Star
  • Grant Killoran:
    • Super Lawyer
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
  • JB Koenings:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Dean Laing:
    • Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Trevor Lippman:
    • Rising Star
  • Greg Lyons:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Patrick McBride:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason Meehan:
    • Rising Star
  • Joe Newbold:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Erica Reib:
    • Rising Star
  • Chad Richter:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Ryan Riebe:
    • Rising Star
  • John Schreiber:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason Scoby:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Steve Slawinski:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Kelly Spott:
    • Rising Star
  • Christa Wittenberg:
    • Rising Star

Super Lawyers is a national rating service that rates attorneys in all 50 states. The selection process utilized by Super Lawyers is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. One court recently had this to say about Super Lawyers:

“[T]he selection procedures employed by [Super Lawyers] are very sophisticated, comprehensive, and complex.  It is abundantly clear . . . that [Super Lawyers does] not permit a lawyer to buy one’s way onto the list, nor is there any requirement for the purchase of any product for inclusion in the lists or any quid pro quo of any kind or nature associated with the evaluation and listing of an attorney or in the subsequent advertising of one’s inclusion in the lists.”

We are proud to be one of the few firms in Wisconsin with more than 50% of its attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers.


O’Neil Cannon Elects Dino Antonopoulos, Jessica Haskell, and Ryan Riebe as Shareholders

O’Neil Cannon is pleased to announce that attorneys Dino Antonopoulos, Jessica Haskell, and Ryan Riebe have been elected as shareholders of the firm.

Antonopoulos is a member of the firm’s Business and Real Estate Practice Groups. With nearly 20 years of experience, Antonopoulos has established a strong reputation as a corporate and real estate transactional attorney. Known for his exceptional communication skills, dedicated client advocacy, and proven track record of success, he continues to deliver favorable results. Learn more about Antonopoulos.

Haskell is a member of the firm’s Banking, Receivership, and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. In addition to her legal work, she serves as Chair of the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section and is a board member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditors’ Rights Section and the Wisconsin Network of the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation. Learn more about Haskell.

Riebe is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He advises individuals and businesses on a wide range of litigation matters, representing clients in state and federal courts as well as in mediation and arbitration. Learn more about Riebe.

We are proud to welcome these attorneys to our shareholder group and look forward to their continued contributions to the firm’s success.


Super Lawyers Recognizes 30 O’Neil Cannon Attorneys

Each year, Super Lawyers surveys the State of Wisconsin’s 15,000 attorneys and judges, seeking the State’s top attorneys. Recently, Super Lawyers published its lists for 2024, which include the Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee, Super Lawyers (consisting of the top 5% of attorneys in Wisconsin), and Rising Stars (consisting of attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less).

Thirty of our attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers, which has referred to the firm as “the Milwaukee mid-sized powerhouse.” Those attorneys are the following:

  • Emily Behn:
    • Rising Star
  • Nick Chmurski:
    • Rising Star
  • Doug Dehler:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jim DeJong:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Seth Dizard:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Pete Faust:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • John Gehringer:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Joseph Gumina:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jessica Haskell:
    • Rising Star
  • Mike Kennedy:
    • Rising Star
  • Grant Killoran:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Dean Laing:
    • Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Trevor Lippman:
    • Rising Star
  • Greg Lyons:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Patrick McBride:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason Meehan:
    • Rising Star
  • Britany Morrison:
    • Rising Star
  • Joe Newbold:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Erica Reib:
    • Rising Star
  • Chad Richter:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Ryan Riebe:
    • Rising Star
  • John Schreiber:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason Scoby:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Steve Slawinski:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Kelly Spott:
    • Rising Star
  • Christa Wittenberg:
    • Rising Star

Super Lawyers is a national rating service that rates attorneys in all 50 states. The selection process utilized by Super Lawyers is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. One court recently had this to say about Super Lawyers:

“[T]he selection procedures employed by [Super Lawyers] are very sophisticated, comprehensive, and complex.  It is abundantly clear . . . that [Super Lawyers does] not permit a lawyer to buy one’s way onto the list, nor is there any requirement for the purchase of any product for inclusion in the lists or any quid pro quo of any kind or nature associated with the evaluation and listing of an attorney or in the subsequent advertising of one’s inclusion in the lists.”

We are proud to be one of the few firms in Wisconsin that had more than 50% of its attorneys receive recognition by Super Lawyers.


Super Lawyers Recognizes 28 O’Neil Cannon Attorneys

Each year, Super Lawyers surveys the State of Wisconsin’s 15,000 attorneys and judges, seeking the State’s top attorneys. Recently, Super Lawyers published its lists for 2023, which include the Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee, Super Lawyers (consisting of the top 5% of attorneys in Wisconsin), and Rising Stars (consisting of attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less).

Twenty-nine of our attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers, which has referred to the firm as “the Milwaukee mid-sized powerhouse.” Those attorneys are the following:

  • Nick Chmurski:
    • Rising Star
  • Doug Dehler:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jim DeJong:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Seth Dizard:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Pete Faust:
    • Super Lawyer
  • John Gehringer:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Joseph Gumina:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jessica Haskell:
    • Rising Star
  • Mike Kennedy:
    • Rising Star
  • Grant Killoran:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Dean Laing:
    • Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Trevor Lippman:
    • Rising Star
  • Greg Lyons:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Patrick McBride:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Britany Morrison:
    • Rising Star
  • Joe Newbold:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Erica Reib:
    • Rising Star
  • Chad Richter:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Ryan Riebe
    • Rising Star
  • John Schreiber:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason Scoby:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Steve Slawinski:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Kelly Spott:
    • Rising Star
  • Christa Wittenberg:
    • Rising Star

Super Lawyers is a national rating service that rates attorneys in all 50 states. The selection process utilized by Super Lawyers is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. One court recently had this to say about Super Lawyers:

“[T]he selection procedures employed by [Super Lawyers] are very sophisticated, comprehensive and complex.  It is abundantly clear . . . that [Super Lawyers does] not permit a lawyer to buy one’s way onto the list, nor is there any requirement for the purchase of any product for inclusion in the lists or any quid pro quo of any kind or nature associated with the evaluation and listing of an attorney or in the subsequent advertising of one’s inclusion in the lists.”

We are proud to be one of the few firms in Wisconsin that had more than 50% of its attorneys receive recognition by Super Lawyers.

 


Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 O’Neil Cannon Attorneys

Each year, Super Lawyers surveys the State of Wisconsin’s 15,000 attorneys and judges, seeking the State’s top attorneys. Recently, Super Lawyers published its lists for 2022, which include the Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin, Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee, Super Lawyers (consisting of the top 5% of attorneys in Wisconsin), and Rising Stars (consisting of attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less).

Twenty-five of our attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers, which has referred to the firm as “the Milwaukee mid-sized powerhouse.” Those attorneys are the following:

  • Nicholas G. Chmurski:
    • Rising Stars
  • Douglas P. Dehler:
    • Super Lawyer
  • James G. DeJong:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Seth E. Dizard:
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Peter J. Faust:
    • Super Lawyer
  • John G. Gehringer:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Joseph E. Gumina:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jessica K. Haskell:
    • Rising Stars
  • Grant C. Killoran:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Dean P. Laing:
    • Top 10 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin
    • Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee
    • Super Lawyer
  • Trevor C. Lippman:
    • Rising Stars
  • Gregory W. Lyons:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Patrick G. McBride:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Britany E. Morrison:
    • Rising Stars
  • Joseph D. Newbold:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Erica N. Reib:
    • Rising Stars
  • Chad J. Richter:
    • Super Lawyer
  • John R. Schreiber:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Jason R. Scoby:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Steven J. Slawinski:
    • Super Lawyer
  • Kelly M. Spott:
    • Rising Stars
  • Christa D. Wittenberg:
    • Rising Stars

Super Lawyers is a national rating service that rates attorneys in all 50 states. The selection process utilized by Super Lawyers is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. One court recently had this to say about Super Lawyers:

“[T]he selection procedures employed by [Super Lawyers] are very sophisticated, comprehensive and complex.  It is abundantly clear . . . that [Super Lawyers does] not permit a lawyer to buy one’s way onto the list, nor is there any requirement for the purchase of any product for inclusion in the lists or any quid pro quo of any kind or nature associated with the evaluation and listing of an attorney or in the subsequent advertising of one’s inclusion in the lists.”

We are proud to be one of the few firms in Wisconsin that had more than 50% of its attorneys receive recognition by Super Lawyers.


Attorney Jessica Haskell New Chair of the MBA Bankruptcy Section

Attorney Jessica K. Haskell was recently selected as the new chair of the Bankruptcy Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association. The Bankruptcy Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association is focused on providing continuing legal education seminars and engaging section members. Jessica is a member of O’Neil Cannon’s Banking, Receivership, and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. She represents court-appointed receivers, secured and unsecured creditors, financial institutions, and corporations in state and federal court. Jessica is pleased to be selected as the new chair and looks forward to being involved with the Bankruptcy Section in her new role.


Attorney Jessica Haskell Elected to the Board of Directors of the State Bar’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Section

Attorney Jessica K. Haskell has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2022. The Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Section seeks to inform its members about developments in bankruptcy and collection law and to serve the judiciary and the public. Specifically, members work on developing the law, increasing communication between practitioners, and improving the standards of the profession.

Jessica is a member of O’Neil Cannon’s Banking, Receivership, and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. She represents court-appointed receivers, secured and unsecured creditors, financial institutions, and corporations in state and federal court. Jessica is pleased to be elected and looks forward to being involved with the Board in her new role.


$7.5 Million Debt Limitation for Small Business Debtors Extended

On Saturday, President Biden signed into law the COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021. This act extends the $7.5 million debt limitation under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) for another year, until March 27, 2022.

Last year, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide emergency assistance for individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act temporarily increased the debt limitation under the SBRA from $2,725,625 to $7.5 million. The SBRA, which took effect on February 19, 2020, created Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code to provide a more streamlined and cost-effective reorganization option for small businesses. The $7.5 million debt limitation increase under the CARES Act was set to expire on March 27, 2021.

The COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021 extends the bankruptcy relief provisions of the CARES Act, which most notably includes the $7.5 million debt limitation under the SBRA, until March 27, 2022. As a result, small businesses with debts between $2,725,625 and $7.5 million will continue to be eligible for Subchapter V for another year.

For further information regarding the COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021 or insolvency concerns relating to bankruptcy or receivership, please contact attorney Jessica K. Haskell.


Trump Administration Halts Residential Evictions Until December 31, 2020

Yesterday, the Trump administration announced an order temporarily halting certain residential evictions until the end of the year. The eviction moratorium, which is being enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pursuant to its authority under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 264 et seq.), seeks to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The nationwide moratorium could apply to as many as 40 million residential tenants.

Despite its reach, the moratorium is not a blanket protection for all residential tenants. To qualify for protection under the moratorium, a tenant must expect to earn no more than $99,000 this year (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return), or not have been required to report any income in 2019 to the IRS, or have received a stimulus check under the CARES Act. Further, a tenant must provide a sworn declaration to his or her landlord indicating that (1) the tenant has used best efforts to obtain government assistance, (2) the tenant is unable to pay full rent because of a loss of household income or extraordinary medical expenses, (3) the tenant is using best efforts to make partial rent payments, and (4) eviction would cause the tenant to be homeless or live with others in close quarters.

The moratorium does not relieve a tenant of his or her obligations to pay rent, and a landlord may continue to charge applicable interest, penalties, and fees under the lease for nonpayment of rent. Landlords also may still evict tenants for reasons besides not making rent, such as criminal activity, threatening the health and safety of other tenants, damaging property, and violating other provisions under the lease. Landlords who violate the order may face criminal penalties.

The order does not apply to commercial leases, nor does it apply in any state or local area that already has a moratorium on residential evictions that provides the same or greater level of protection. Nothing in the order precludes states or local authorities from imposing additional requirements.

O’Neil Cannon remains open and ready to help you. For questions or further information relating to the eviction moratorium, or insolvency concerns relating to bankruptcy or receivership, please contact the authors of this article, attorneys Jessica K. Haskell and Nicholas G. Chmurski.