Four Lewis Rice Attorneys Named 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers® has named Lewis Rice members Leonard J. Essig, Stanley C. Johnston, Richard B. Walsh, Jr., and Robert J. Will among its "Lawyers of the Year" for 2023. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Only one attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan area may receive the honor of "Lawyer of the Year."

Click here to view the 65 Lewis Rice attorneys named in Best Lawyers.

Leonard J. Essig - Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year

As a corporate attorney, Len advises banks, savings associations, investment advisers, and other financial service providers. He is knowledgeable in a broad range of matters such as regulatory compliance and enforcement; executive compensation; mergers and acquisitions; and the structure, authority, and activities of his clients' companies and their affiliates. He also advises companies in a wide range of industries on general corporate and securities matters including corporate governance, public company reporting and securities compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and public offering and private placement securities transactions. Best Lawyers has included Len in its annual list since 2013.

Stanley C. Johnston - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year

Stan has extensive experience in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business representation, corporate tax, business contracts, family succession, and exit strategies. His business tax background and nearly four decades of experience make him uniquely suited to give sophisticated legal advice to closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit entities. Stan offers practical solutions to the myriad of legal issues and challenges facing today's companies. Best Lawyers has included Stan in its annual list since 2021.

Richard B. Walsh, Jr. - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year

Rick Walsh serves as Chairman of Lewis Rice. He also maintains an active and growing practice focusing primarily in the area of complex commercial litigation including bet-the-company litigation, intellectual property, antitrust, and securities litigation. Rick counsels transactional clients concerning associated risks in commercial transactions. His background includes litigating antitrust claims in the health care, bicycle component, aluminum products, agricultural products, professional sports, and fitness equipment industries. Rick litigates intellectual property matters in many areas including computer systems, mechanical apparatuses and systems, and chemical, electrical, and medical products and processes. Best Lawyers has included Rick in its annual list since 2008, and he has been named "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Antitrust for 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Robert J. Will - Trusts and Estates Litigation Lawyer of the Year

Bob advises clients on matters related to trust and estate litigation, class action and other complex litigation, professional liability, and eminent domain. He has litigated a wide variety of matters in the trust and estate area, including trust and will contests, claims for tortious interference with inheritance or expectancies, trust and will constructions, trust reformations, wrongful death claims against estates, and actions against Trustees for breach of fiduciary duties. Best Lawyers has included Bob in its annual list since 2019.