CHICAGO -- SmithAmundsen LLC is pleased to announce the election of five new partners effective May 15, 2009. The following attorneys in the firm's Chicago office were elected to partner:

Molly Arranz, a member of the firm's Toxic, Environmental, and Mass Tort Practice Group, defends a wide variety of class actions and claims alleging contaminated soil or groundwater brought under Superfund (CERCLA), the Clean Water Act, RCRA or their state counterparts, consumer fraud, breach of contract, data privacy, and statutory violations including the Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and the Telephone Communications Protection Act (TCPA). Ms. Arranz received a B.A. from Marquette University, magna cum laude, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Leslie Johnson, a member of the firm's Workers' Compensation Practice Group, focuses his practice primarily on workers' compensation matters including coverage litigation. He is frequently retained to advise corporations, including self-insured's, on workers' compensation risk management and avoidance of claims. Mr. Johnson received a B.S. from the University of Illinois, a LL.M. in Taxation Law from DePaul University, and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

Daisy Khambatta, a member of the firm's Insurance Services Group and Toxic, Environmental, and Mass Tort Practice Group, represents insurers in all aspects of their business, including claims counseling, litigation, and dispute resolution. Her practice includes the handling of issues involving commercial, primary, umbrella, excess and surplus lines, with a focus on bodily injury and property damage matters involving asbestos and environmental claims. Ms. Khambatta also devotes a substantial portion of her practice to defending companies against asbestos, silicosis, and benzene claims throughout the country. Ms. Khambatta received a B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law.

Lisa Pagel, a member of the firm's Product Liability Practice Group, represents clients in all types of civil litigation including products liability, catastrophic personal injury defense, and contractual disputes. Ms. Pagel received a B.S. from the University of Kansas and a J.D., cum laude, from The John Marshall Law School.

Gary Zhao, a member of the firm's Insurance Services Group, focuses his practice primarily on complex commercial litigation matters. Mr. Zhao has prosecuted and defended declaratory judgment actions in state and federal courts for national insurance companies ranging from fact questions to questions of policy language construction. He has also assisted and advised Chinese clients on American business formation, structure, and tax planning issues. Mr. Zhao received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

"We are extremely proud of each of these attorneys and the hard work and dedication they have shown the firm and especially our clients," said Larry A. Schechtman, SmithAmundsen's Managing Partner. "We know they will continue to be significant contributors to the firm and help us grow into the future."

SmithAmundsen LLC has grown to more than 120 attorneys with offices in Chicago, Rockford, St. Charles, Waukegan, and Woodstock, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. SmithAmundsen's attorneys share a proficiency in a broad range of practice areas. As one of Chicago's premier litigation firms, our success is built upon a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to exceeding client expectations. For more information on the firm, please visit www.salawus.com.