Seven attorneys across six offices honored in nine practice areas as firm continues nationwide growth

Seven Hilgers PLLC attorneys from nine practice areas across six of the firm's U.S. offices have earned recognition in The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

The selections reflect the breadth of Hilgers' growing national team. Attorneys were recognized for work ranging from complex commercial and intellectual property litigation to white-collar defense, trademark law and alternative dispute resolution.

Selected as Best Lawyers were:

• Mary Ann Novak (Lincoln) – Trademark law
• Mike Merriman (San Diego) – White-collar criminal defense
• Jonathan Musch (St. Louis) – Advertising law, intellectual property litigation, patent litigation, patent law, trade secrets law and trademark law

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

• Sue O'Brien (Chicago) – Intellectual property litigation
• Thomas Swanson (Lincoln) – Commercial litigation
• Alyssa M. Helfer (Buffalo) – Alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation
• Michael A. Burns (Washington, D.C.) – Commercial litigation

Selected entirely through peer review, The Best Lawyers in America is among the legal profession's most respected guides. Its companion publication, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding professional excellence early in their careers.

"There's something especially meaningful about being recognized by people who know your work best," said Heather Hilgers, CEO of Hilgers PLLC. "We're proud of what our attorneys have built across the country and grateful to see that work acknowledged by their peers. It's another reminder that investing in great people and a strong culture leads to great outcomes for clients."

Hilgers PLLC has grown from a startup into the nation's largest woman-owned law firm, certified by the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms. The firm's more than 100 attorneys represent some of the world's most recognizable companies in complex litigation and government investigations.

Along the way, the firm has built a collaborative, team-first culture recognized by Inc. as one of the nation's Best Workplaces. The firm has also earned honors in the 2026 Best Law Firms guide and Chambers USA rankings for its litigation practice in Dallas-Fort Worth and its government investigations and e-discovery work.

Hilgers PLLC is a nationwide law firm with elite legal talent specializing in complex commercial and IP litigation, government investigations, reputation protection, discovery counsel, corporate and trademark services.

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