Smith Haughey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®

Best Lawyers has released its 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® along with its “Lawyer of the Year” honorees and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Smith Haughey is proud to have 31 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers in 2025.  

Best Lawyers uses a peer-review survey to evaluate lawyers and the quality of their legal services. Lawyers cannot self-nominate, must be in good standing with local bar associations, and are judged by colleagues within the same geographical area and practice area. 

Below is a complete list of Smith Haughey attorneys selected for the 31st edition of Best Lawyers in America®. 

Best Lawyers “Lawyer of The Year”  

  1. Thomas Vitale | Litigation – Real Estate  
  2. E. Thomas McCarthy Jr. | Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants

2025 Best Lawyers in America®

  1. Charles F. Behler | Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction 
  2. Drew Broaddus | Appellate Practice
  3. Carol D. Carlson | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  4. Cheryl L. Chandler | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants  
  5. Patrick F. Geary | Commercial Litigation 
  6. Christopher R. Genther | Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  7. Mark A. Gilchrist | Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants  
  8. Kristen Guinn | Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  9. William W. Jack, Jr. | Arbitration, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Mediation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 
  10. Krista A. Jackson | Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental 
  11. Brian J. Kilbane | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  12. John M. Kruis | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  13. E. Thomas McCarthy, Jr. | Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Mediation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs 
  14. Richard Mills* | Trusts and Estates
  15. Jaron J. Nyhof | Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law 
  16. Paul M. Oleniczak | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  17. John C. O’Loughlin | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  18. John R. Oostema | Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Insurance, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  19. Mary R. Pigorsh | Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Mediation 
  20. Nicholas A. Reister | Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Trusts and Estates  
  21. Jason R. Sebolt | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 
  22. A. Tony Taweel | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
  23. Thomas J. Vitale | Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate 
  24. Michael D. Wiese | Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law 
  25. Matthew L. Wikander | Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs 

2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 

  1. Laura Johnson | Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 
  2. Jonathan B. Koch | Appellate Practice, Legal Malpractice Law 
  3. Christian Leeka*  | Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
  4. Spencer Lickteig | Health Care Law 
  5. Ashley Quackenbush | Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 
  6. Matthew J. Wiebe | Nonprofit / Charities Law 

*This is the individual’s first Best Lawyers recognition.

Congratulations to all on this achievement! 

If you need a vetted, qualified lawyer who will deliver top-tier legal services, contact Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge.