Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Kevin Cloutier and Doug Swill on its 2026 list of “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law.” This honor recognizes local professionals whose work shapes business, civic life and the courts, according to the publication.
Cloutier, vice chair, drives strategy, growth and partner recruiting at the firm. Under his leadership, Sheppard achieved one of the highest lateral partner rates among AmLaw 50 firms: 96% after just five years. A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Cloutier secured summary judgement for NAV Consulting in a discrimination case and overturned a multimillion-dollar jury verdict for Swift Transportation to establish precedent for truck drivers’ restrictive covenants.
Swill, a partner on Sheppard’s Healthcare team, was recognized for advising health systems and provider organizations on strategic transactions, focusing on nonprofit healthcare entities. Of note, Swill has advised on more than 175 mergers and acquisitions in the nonprofit healthcare space, including two of the country’s largest health system combinations.