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.

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Laura E. Hartin

Associate

Laura E. Hartin defends employers, insurers, and third-party administrators in a variety of legal matters stemming from workers’ compensation claims in Illinois. She has...

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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...

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Sarah N. Livergood

Associate

Sarah Livergood is an associate with the firm’s Chicago office where she concentrates her practice in workers’ compensation defense. Ms. Livergood began her legal...

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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,...

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John P. O'Grady

Associate

John P. O’Grady is an experienced trial attorney, concentrating in the defense of workers’ compensation claims. Prior to private practice, John served as a...

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Karen E. Zimmermann

Associate

Karen Zimmermann graduated from the John Marshall Law School (Chicago) in 2016. While in law school, she clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman,...

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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...

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