Four Chicago-Kent Alums Recognized on 40 Under Forty list

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin recently named four Chicago-Kent College of Law alumni on its 25th annual 40 Under Forty list. The list recognizes Illinois attorneys to watch, and in 2024, they received more than 1,000 nominations.

Chicago-Kent alumni Laura A. Elkayam ’20, Laura Gottblieb ’24, Kathryne Hayes ’10, and Ervin Nevitt ’14 earned recognition in 2024.

Elkayam practices commercial litigation at Much Shelist. She was chosen for her intellect and creativity.

“She knows how to relate to people, clients and opponents alike,” the article reads. “And this human touch has also played a role in Elkayam’s steady rise in her profession.”

Hayes specializes in professional liability, attorney ethics, and litigation at Collins Bargione & Vuckovich. She was praised for her “exceptional” legal skills.

“Hayes has a history of earning successful results for her clients, even when the odds are stacked against them,” the articles says. “For Hayes, there’s no such thing as an unwinnable case.”

At Berger Schatz, Gottlieb is a star of family law. The publication noted her out-of-the-box thinking and stellar negotiation skills as some of her strongest assets.

“Gottlieb possesses that ideal mix of legal skills and compassion that the most successful family law specialists boast,” the Bulletin writes. “Her record of earning positive results for her clients during their most challenging times has helps Gottlieb build a thriving career in the often emotional area of family law.”

Lastly, Nevitt was recognized for his work representing sexual abuse victims, for which the state of Illinois declared him as “abuse guardian” last year. At Coplan & Crane, Ltd., he focuses on mass tort litigation, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, and wrongful death claims.

“Nevitt has earned a long list of million-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients,” writes the Bulletin. “It’s why he’s risen to the status of partner at the Oak Park office of Coplan & Crane at such a young age and how he’s built a thriving career in a competitive industry.”