Overview
(April 28, 2026, Chicago) – Steptoe LLP is pleased to announce that a highly regarded team of litigators and trial attorneys has joined the firm's Chicago office from Honigman. The team comprises partners Robert J. Palmersheim, William B. Berndt, Nicholas A. Burandt, and Timothy G. Parilla, and further strengthens Steptoe's complex commercial litigation and disputes platform.
The move is part of a wider strategic focus by Steptoe to build on its strengths in the country's "second city." The group is the latest to make the move to Steptoe's Chicago office and follows the recent arrival of financial regulatory and investigations partner Trace Schmeltz, data privacy partner Christian Auty, and returning Steptoe alumna intellectual property partner Kate Tellez.
This new team brings broad litigation experience representing companies, private equity sponsors, and executives in high‑stakes business disputes, including antitrust and competition matters, post‑transaction and M&A disputes, trade secret and unfair competition claims, breach‑of‑contract litigation, as lead counsel in trials, appeals, and arbitration proceedings. They have represented clients across industries such as financial services, energy, technology, real estate, and professional services. Their combined experience enhances Steptoe's ability to handle bet‑the‑company matters while continuing to deliver thoughtful, efficient, and business‑focused advocacy.
"Robert, Will, Nick, and Tim are exceptional litigators with a national reputation for handling challenging cases involving sophisticated stakeholders," said Rachel Cannon, Steptoe's recently appointed Chicago office managing partner. "They bring deep experience, strong judgment, and an entrepreneurial approach that fits with Steptoe's client-focused high-performance culture. We are thrilled to welcome them to the firm."
Speaking on behalf of the team, Robert stated, "We are excited to join Steptoe and collaborate with a deep bench of litigators who share a commitment to innovative yet practical advocacy. By combining our trial, arbitration, and appellate experience with the firm's broader disputes and industry capabilities, we are well-positioned to deliver integrated, strategic solutions for clients facing their most critical challenges."
Robert Palmersheim is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with nearly three decades of experience handling antitrust and competition litigation, complex commercial disputes, and professional liability matters. He has served as lead counsel in major price‑fixing, monopolization, and competitor disputes, frequently representing clients in bet‑the‑company litigation, multidistrict proceedings, and appellate courts. He received his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, where he was Order of the Coif, and his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
William Berndt is a seasoned trial lawyer who regularly serves as first chair in high‑stakes litigation and arbitration matters across the country. His practice centers on trade secret, false advertising, unfair competition, and complex contract disputes, often involving cross‑border or highly technical issues. He also advises clients on litigation risk, internal investigations, and strategic response to business‑critical disputes. Will earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. magna cum laude from Indiana University.
Nicholas Burandt is an experienced commercial litigator who represents companies and private equity clients in high‑stakes business disputes, including post‑transaction litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, fraud claims, and complex breach‑of‑contract matters. He has served as first‑ and second‑chair in trials and evidentiary hearings in state and federal courts; and recently was successful in arguing an appeal in Illinois Appellate Court. Nick received his J.D. cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School and his B.A. magna cum laude from DePaul University.
Timothy Parilla focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and antitrust matters, representing clients in state and federal courts and in arbitration. He has extensive experience managing post‑closing and M&A disputes, trade secret and unfair competition claims, product liability matters, and breach‑of‑fiduciary‑duty cases, and has tried cases to verdict in state and federal court and arbitration. Tim received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Illinois.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients and innovative thinking before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
