Freeborn & Peters LLP Announces New Leaders of Practice Groups, Industry Teams

CHICAGO – Freeborn & Peters LLP is pleased to announce that it has named Matthew J. O’Hara as co-leader of the firm’s litigation practice group, Jeffrey A. Rossman as co-leader of the complex commercial litigation practice group, Tina M. Bird as leader of the real estate and construction litigation team, and Elitsa Dimitrova as leader of the emerging industries team. 

“A mix of seasoned and newer leaders, they all are well-suited for these key positions,” said William E. Russell, Freeborn’s co-managing partner. “We look forward to their guidance as the firm continues to provide our clients with the highest-quality legal services.” 

Co-led by O’Hara and Terrence J. Sheahan, Freeborn's litigation practice group consists of more than 90 lawyers over seven specialty subgroups, bringing both bench strength and deep experience to each client matter. With national and international capabilities, the group represents companies in all areas of dispute and litigation. 

Co-led by Rossman and Anthony J. Carballo, the complex commercial litigation practice represents clients who range from emerging growth companies to Fortune 500 corporations in a variety of complex and often high-profile disputes.

Led by Bird, the firm’s real estate and construction litigation team has the necessary industry experience to serve the needs of any party throughout the lifecycle of construction projects of all sizes. The group represents owners, developers, material suppliers, subcontractors, architects and other parties in construction projects on general corporate issues, including business formations, financing, acquisitions and mid-project analysis.

Led by Dimitrova, Freeborn’s emerging industries team remains abreast of developments in such areas as blockchain, cryptocurrency, crowdfunding, big data, artificial intelligence, fintech, and more. It combines legal insights from several practices, including litigation, intellectual property, corporate, securities, and employment. 

Following are details on the firm’s new practice group and industry team leaders: 

O’Hara is co-leader of the litigation practice group and a member of the firm's executive committee and professional review committee. He is a business trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in the litigation and trial of complex commercial matters in federal and state courts and matters involving the law of lawyering. He has tried cases involving the federal securities laws, antitrust laws, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, trademark infringement, breach of contract, contract reformation, unjust enrichment, license agreements, executive employment, the Uniform Commercial Code, fraud, and criminal defense. O’Hara also litigates legal malpractice, private shareholder and partnership disputes, fraudulent transfers, defamation, and other commercial matters.

Rossman is co-leader of the firm's complex commercial litigation team and member of the litigation practice group. He is a trusted advisor and counselor to his clients. He has extensive trial and appellate experience and has tried and argued cases in federal and state courts across the country. In addition to his substantial litigation experience, he regularly counsels clients on litigation, tax and regulatory matters across the country, including acting as national counsel for several large e-commerce companies in which he advises and helps direct and implement national strategy. 

Bird is the leader of the firm's real estate and construction litigation team and a partner in the real estate practice group. Her practice is nationwide, including construction contract drafting and negotiation, arbitrations, civil trials, mediations, claim preparation and mid-project analysis. She represents material suppliers, subcontractors, contractors, construction managers, design-builders, architects, owners and sureties in every aspect of their business.

Dimitrova is the leader of the emerging industries team and a partner in the corporate practice group. Her practice is focused on private equity and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, private placements and securities, and employee benefits and executive compensation. She frequently advises lead investors in seed, convertible note and alternative investments in the fintech, biotech, software, transportation and cannabis spaces.  As part of the M&A Team for First-Time Sellers^®, she regularly counsels privately held, middle-market companies in exit transactions.  She also regularly represents clients in their buy-side M&A transactions. She also consults clients as it relates to general corporate governance matters.    

This news was featured in The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Law360.