Our Attorneys
The founding partners, Francis M. Brady, John P. Connolly, and Beverly N. Masuda, had practiced together for several years. Over time, they discovered a shared approach to representing Illinois employers. BCM Law was born in May 1997 of the desire to effectively employ their joint approach.
From the three founders in one location, the firm has grown impressively to staff three offices: the original location in Chicago, a downstate office opened in Bloomington-Normal in December, 2000 and St. Louis, MO opened in June, 2020. The firm has outgrown each office resulting in several expansions.
The roster of partners has grown from three to twenty. We encourage you to read more about our accomplished team of civil litigation and insurance defense attorneys below, then contact us for diligent preparation of your important matter.
BCM Law takes great pride in its Continuing Education programs for attorneys, employers and insurance/claims professionals. Our attorneys frequently speak at both local and national events. Click HERE to Request a Speaker or email marketing@bcm-law.com.
Contact Our Firm


Francis M. Brady
Retired
Founding Partner, Francis Brady retired in 2022. He graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1978 and from Loyola Law School, Chicago, in...
Read More »
John P. Connolly
Founding Partner - Director
John P. Connolly is an experienced trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in the preparation and defense of Illinois workers' compensation...
Read More »
Beverly N. Masuda
Retired
Ms. Masuda is a founding member of BCM Law, and her practice is concentrated in the defense of employers in workers compensation...
Read More »
William D. Brewster
Partner - Director
William D. Brewster is an experienced litigator specializing in the defense of Workers’ Compensation claims for employers, insurers and third party administrators. He has...
Read More »
Andrew R. Makauskas
Partner - Director
Andrew R. Makauskas is a Partner with BCM Law in its Chicago office. He has been representing employers and insurance carriers in civil litigation...
Read More »
Ivan Nieves
Managing Partner - Director
Ivan Nieves is the Managing Partner at BCM Law. Mr. Nieves is an experienced litigator specializing in the defense of Workers’ Compensation claims for...
Read More »
Peter J. Stavropoulos
Partner - Director
Peter J. Stavropoulos is an experienced litigator specializing in the defense of workers’ compensation claims for employers, insurers and third party administrators. Mr. Stavropoulos...
Read More »
Matthew K. Abrams
Partner
Matthew (Matt) Abrams is a Partner at BCM Law in its Chicago office. He started his legal career in 2001 after graduating...
Read More »
Paul N. Berard
Partner
Paul Berard has focused his practice on the defense of workers’ compensation claims and general liability claims since 2012. He has handled over 500...
Read More »
Micaela M. Cassidy
Partner
Micaela M. Cassidy is a Partner at BCM Law whose practice is concentrated in the defense of employers in workers’ compensation cases throughout the...
Read More »
Jeffrey F. Clement
Partner
Jeffrey F. Clement is a Partner in the firm’s Chicago office and the Chair of the Civil Litigation practice group. Mr. Clement has litigated matters...
Read More »
Jeffrey R. Gibellina
Partner
Jeff Gibellina is a Partner at BCM Law with extensive experience in tirelessly defending Illinois employers, insurers and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation cases...
Read More »
Surbhi Saraswat Goyal
Partner
Surbhi Saraswat Goyal defends employers, insurers and third party administrators in a variety of legal matters stemming from workers’ compensation claims in Illinois. She is a...
Read More »
Farrah L. Hagan
Partner
Farrah Hagan helps employers navigate through the intricacies involved with injured employees with efficiency and methodical attention to detail. A Partner at BCM Law,...
Read More »
Noah P. Hamann
Partner
Noah P. Hamann is a Partner with BCM Law and manages the Firm’s St. Louis, MO office. He is an experienced litigator specializing in...
Read More »
Charles M. Maring, II
Partner
Charles has been practicing personal injury and workers' compensation law since graduating from Marquette University Law School. During law school Charles participated in internships...
Read More »
Steven L. Miller
Partner
Steven L. Miller joined BCM Law as an associate in July 2010. Steven has dedicated his legal practice solely toward representing companies and insurance...
Read More »
Amber M. Parris
Partner
Amber M. Parris is a Partner and the Co-Chair of the Medicare Compliance practice group at BCM Law. She has extensive experience with all...
Read More »
Amanda J. Richert
Partner
Amanda Richert is a Partner in the Firm’s St. Louis, MO office. Amanda has spent her career defending employers and insurance carriers in matters...
Read More »
Amelia A. Schwingle
Partner
Amelia Schwingle joined BCM Law in 2016 in the Workers' Compensation Department. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced workers’ compensation defense in the...
Read More »
Olga Sheinman
Partner
After graduating from Tel Aviv University, Ms. Sheinman served six (6) years as a JAG Officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). As a...
Read More »
Matthew P. Sheriff
Partner
Matthew P. Sheriff is a Partner with more than 20 years of experience in the defense of workers’ compensation and civil liability matters. Mr. Sheriff...
Read More »
Mark F. Vizza
Partner
Mark F. Vizza is an experienced trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience in the preparation and defense of Illinois workers' compensation,...
Read More »
Andrea M. Carlson
Associate
Andrea Carlson joined BCM Law as an associate in 2021 in the Workers' Compensation Department. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced workers' compensation...
Read More »
Catherine L. Carlson
Associate
Catherine Carlson joined BCM Law as an associate in 2022 in the Civil Litigation Department. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced civil...
Read More »
Yeganeh Gibson
Associate
Yeganeh Gibson is an associate at BCM Law and focuses her practice on Medicare Compliance. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Gibson was a...
Read More »
Emma L. Knowles
Associate
Emma Knowles joined BCM Law as an associate in 2022 in the Civil Litigation Department. Prior to joining the firm, Emma gained experience on...
Read More »
Ashley L. Krenz
Associate
Ashley Krenz is an Associate in the Firm’s Chicago, IL office. Ms. Krenz is a recent graduate of Wayne State University Law School...
Read More »
Janna M. Miller Midura
Associate
Ms. Miller Midura has had a long career in the practice of Worker’s Compensation defense law, and has represented large insurance companies, third-party administrators,...
Read More »
Erin I. Wenger
Associate
Erin Wenger is an Associate in the Firm’s Chicago office where she focuses on civil litigation matters. Prior to joining BCM Law, Erin...
Read More »
Dylan J. Zippay
Associate
Dylan Zippay is an Associate in the Firm’s St. Louis, MO office. Mr. Zippay is a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University School of...
Read More »