Crain’s Chicago Business Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke Partners as 2026 Notable Leaders in Law

CHICAGO – Troutman Pepper Locke partners Andrea Verney Kerstein, Misha Tseytlin, and Steven Whitmer have been named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2026 Notable Leaders in Law. The recognition, awarded through a peer nomination and editorial review process, highlights individuals whose work shapes business, civic life, and the courts.

Kerstein, managing partner of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Chicago office, is recognized for her leadership and impact in complex insurance litigation. In addition to leading the firm’s Chicago office of more than 100 attorneys, she represents national health insurers and life reinsurance companies in high-stakes disputes, regulatory matters, and strategic defense. Notably, Kerstein led a team in a complex arbitration on behalf of a leading international reinsurer, developing a strategy with counterclaims that resulted in a ruling allowing the client to recapture business and barring certain denials.

Tseytlin, leader of the firm’s Appellate and Supreme Court Practice, is recognized for his landmark appellate work and standing as a nationally recognized authority in administrative and political law. He has built a record of consequential victories at the nation’s highest court. In March 2026, Tseytlin secured a rare emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court blocking an unconstitutional order to redraw New York’s 11th Congressional District. He also argued and won Rudisill v. McDonough before the Supreme Court, expanding Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits, a victory that, following subsequent litigation against the Department of Veterans Affairs, ultimately extended benefits to over one million additional veterans in 2026. This marks Tseytlin’s second appearance on Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Leaders in Law, having first been recognized in 2024.

Whitmer, chair of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Insurance and Intellectual Property Department and member of the firm’s Executive Committee, is recognized for a career defined by high-stakes litigation and a commanding presence in the courtroom. His practice centers on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, including class actions, breach of contract, and fraud. Whitmer has served as lead hearing counsel for health insurance companies in multibillion-dollar transactions, prevailed in a Ninth Circuit appeal against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and obtained injunctions against both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Treasury on behalf of a national insurance company.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.