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Michael Best is pleased to announce that Brian Paul and Jorge Leon have been recognized as Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Chicago Business. The award honors top Chicago accountants, consultants, and attorneys born between 1965 and 1980 who serve in senior-level roles at their companies and have made significant contributions to advancing the industry.

As the Michael Best Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group Chair, Paul is being recognized for his strategic business vision and championing for diversity. Within his role, Paul has expanded the national geographic footprint of the practice group, increasing revenue year-over-year by more than 16%. He has also strived to increase diversity by ensuring diversity within the practice group — 45% of the practice group partners are women and recruitment for 2023 summer associates included a diverse candidate pool. Paul also is being recognized for his success as a lawyer in delivering positive litigation outcomes relating to labor and employment, and guiding clients through the pandemic and transition to work.

Formally the leader of Michael Best’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group, Paul has a long-standing history of stepping into a leadership role at the firm. Outside of work, Paul is involved in manufacturers and warehouse and logistics associations. He speaks frequently at industry conferences, sharing his insights on labor and employment law.

Paul earned his B.A. from Emory University and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Leon is a partner and co-leader of the firm’s Employee Benefits group and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Leon is being recognized for his groundbreaking work in developing ERISA cybersecurity principles and strategies, and for helping develop innovative diversity and inclusion policies. His practice primarily involves counseling clients on critical benefits and compensation issues, governance and fiduciary duties and strategies to avoid or minimize high-stakes ERISA litigation. With more than 24 years of experience, Leon has earned the confidence of business leaders and policymakers at the highest levels and has been able to influence the development of national benefits policy in the areas of ERISA cybersecurity and pandemic relief.

As a leading ERISA practitioner and thought leader on diversity, Jorge’s opinions and views are frequently sought by nationally recognized publishers, journalists, bar associations and professional organizations. He also sits on several boards, including the Field Museum and Gads Hill Center, a 124-year-old nonprofit serving Chicago’s Hispanic community.

Leon earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law and his B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

For more information about the 2022 Notable Gen X Leaders in Law, click here.