Hinshaw announced the election of thirteen attorneys as new partners, effective January 1, 2026. The new partners are based in four Hinshaw offices nationwide and represent multiple client industry groups and practice areas.
“We take great pride in welcoming these gifted lawyers to our partnership,” said firm chairman Peter Sullivan. “Mentoring and developing the next generation of firm leadership is extremely important to the success of our firm. Each of these lawyers from our 2026 partnership class exemplifies the values that make Hinshaw such a special place to work—a firm founded on collegiality and trust, a shared commitment to delivering outstanding client service, and a reputation for operating at the highest levels of integrity.”
Meet the New Partners
Glenda M. Almela (Miami, FL)
A member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar, Glenda represents insurers and corporations in first-party property and liability coverage. She also handles matters involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Florida Minimum Wage Act, and Title VII.
Stephanie H. Carlton (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Stephanie takes pride in securing favorable results for her clients. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and insurance coverage, defending national insurers in matters involving general liability, professional liability, property coverage, and premises-related claims. She evaluates coverage for national insurers and provides proactive counsel to support informed decision-making to reduce risk.
Jennifer Castro (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Active in the National Business Aviation Association and the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association, Jennifer has nearly a decade of experience representing aviation companies. She handles insurance claims, defense litigation, regulatory enforcement, contract disputes, wrongful death claims, and product liability matters.
William F. Cook VI (Chicago, IL)
Bill is a tenacious business litigator with extensive trial experience, representing individuals and companies in high-stakes contract disputes and catastrophic tort matters. He is a skilled negotiator who works to achieve favorable outcomes while safeguarding client interests.
Joseph A. Culig (Chicago, IL)
A former federal clerk for district court and magistrate judges in the Northern District of Illinois, Joe relies upon more than 17 years of experience to guide his clients through complex legal challenges. His practice involves appeals, litigation in federal and state trial courts, and regulatory matters.
Adair L. Kingsmill (New Orleans, LA)
In a rapidly shifting regulatory environment, Adair advises banks, automotive and personal property finance companies, installment lenders, online lenders, and other financial services companies on compliance with key state and federal consumer finance and consumer protection laws. She helps clients assess regulatory risk and make informed decisions that align with their long-term business goals.
Lauren N. Kus (Chicago, IL)
Lauren began her legal career at Hinshaw and has since built a practice defending employers and insurance companies against claims arising from injuries, including personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, construction, and premises liability. She is known for her strategic approach to litigation.
Colleen M. Mullane (Chicago, IL)
Colleen finds the most rewarding part of her practice is helping business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals navigate complex legal challenges. She advises clients on civil and immigration litigation, with a focus on high-value personal injury, property damage, and tort matters, including complex cases involving multiple parties and unique discovery issues.
Brian Nussbaum (Chicago, IL)
Brian is an experienced transactional attorney who prides himself on engaging in collaborative efforts to achieve strong results for his clients. His practice focuses on real estate law and advising businesses on mergers, acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and general corporate matters.
Stephanie R. Soprani (Chicago, IL)
Stephanie has nearly two decades of experience representing architects, engineers, and contractors in litigation and transactional matters. She remains accessible and engaged with clients in all phases of representation.
Aaron M. White (Chicago, IL)
Aaron applies his aviation knowledge to litigation, representing airlines, aerospace companies, employees, and vendors. He handles disputes involving manufacturers, maintenance facilities, and related aviation matters.
Jonathan M. Yee (Chicago, IL)
Jon represents US and London-based insurers in complex coverage disputes across diverse policy types. He advises on high-exposure claims and emerging legal issues, including social engineering and cybersecurity risks.
Michael Zhang (Chicago, IL)
Michael leverages his experience as a lawyer-regulator to provide a foundation for comprehensive legal risk management. Known as a “lawyer’s lawyer,” he combines trial and appellate work with practical guidance to protect the reputations and careers of licensed professionals in high-stakes litigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S.-based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm’s national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, professional services, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw provides holistic legal solutions—from litigation and dispute resolution to business advisory and transactional services to regulatory compliance—for clients of all sizes.
