Johnson & Bell, Ltd., one of the nation’s top litigation law firms, is pleased to announce that 21 attorneys in its Illinois and Indiana offices have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. In addition, shareholder Sharon Stanzione has been recognized as the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” for Health Care Litigation. These recognitions are based entirely on outside nominations and peer reviews submitted by attorneys from throughout the US and reflect the firm’s half century of providing exceptional legal representation.
The following Johnson & Bell attorneys were honored in the 2026 edition. The year they were first recognized is listed after each name:
Appellate Practice
Garrett Boehm Jr., Illinois (2023)
Commercial Litigation
Joseph Marconi, Illinois and Indiana (2019)
Construction Law
Joseph Carini III, Illinois (2026)
Health Care Law
Sharon Stanzione, Indiana (2020)
Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Stephen Ellenbecker, Illinois (2026)
H. Patrick Morris, Illinois (2023)
Medical Malpractice – Defendants
Stacey Cischke, Illinois (2026)
Matt Johnson, Illinois (2021)
Sammi Renken, Illinois (2026)
Gregory Schiller, Illinois (2023)
Sharon Stanzione, Indiana (2020)
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Edward Hearn, Indiana (2023)
H. Patrick Morris, Illinois
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Robert Burke, Illinois (2019)
Edward Hearn, Indiana (2023)
Transportation Law
Robert Burke, Illinois (2019)
Gregory Conforti, Illinois (2026)
In addition, eight attorneys were named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list, which recognizes attorneys who have shown professional excellence in the first decade of their career. The year they were first recognized is listed after each name:
Appellate Practice
Adam Sedia., Indiana (2023)
Commercial Litigation
Ava Caffarini, Illinois (2026)
Adam Sedia, Indiana (2023)
Medical Malpractice – Defendants
Margaret Connery, Illinois (2022)
David Thompson, Illinois (2023)
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Ava Caffarini, Illinois (2026)
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Julie Busch, Illinois (2022)
Kyle Farris, Indiana (2026)
Nicholas Sandowski, Illinois (2026)
David Warnick, Illinois (2023)
Transportation Law
Julie Busch, Illinois (2022)
Kyle Farris, Indiana (2026)
David Warnick, Illinois (2023)
- This marks the seventh consecutive year thatJohnson & Bell attorneys have been recognized in Best Lawyers.
- Robert Burke and Joseph Marconi have been recognized since 2019, demonstrating longstanding excellence in client service.
- Seven Johnson & Bell attorneys were recognized for work in Medical Malpractice Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation, two long-time strengths of the firm.
Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a respected guide to legal excellence. The selection process is based on rigorous peer-review surveys, in which tens of thousands of lawyers confidentially evaluate professionals outside their own organization. Less than five percent of the attorneys in the US are recognized each year.
