Staff

Kenneth B. Drost

Ken began his practice as a staff attorney with the Federal Trade Commission. He then entered private practice, ultimately becoming a partner with major law firms in downtown Chicago practicing business litigation. He concentrated on matters involving contracts, secured transactions securities, bankruptcy and intellectual property. He was subsequently offered and accepted a position as General Counsel to Datronic Rental Corporation and later to New Era Funding Corp. Ken developed a sophisticated computer-based case management and litigation software program which enabled New Era to cost-effectively pursue small ticket lease receivables while drastically reducing its outside counsel expenses. Ken has lectured to national audiences on the merits of this program.

In connection with his responsibilities for New Era, Ken completely revised the company's documents for lease portfolio acquisition, and for individual equipment lease transactions. These documents have been circulated to members of various equipment leasing trade associations and now serves as models for generic equipment lease transactions.

Ken maintains a practice in general business litigation, concentrating in areas of managing delinquent accounts receivable, equipment leasing, trade secrets, bankruptcy, federal and state securities law, real estate litigation, and claims involving fraud, misrepresentation or violation of the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Ken is a graduate of Knox College where he achieved national academic honors and played varsity golf and football. He attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law where he was a member of the Thurston Society, an editor of the Law Review and elected to the Order of the Coif. He has an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Ken is active in the Chicago Bar Association of Equipment Lessors (UAEL). The Firm is also a member of the Commercial Law League of America.

Ken is licensed to practice in both Illinois and California as well as various federal courts throughout the nation.

Colin H. Gilbert

Colin graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor or Arts Degree, and attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was captain of the International Moot Court Honor Society for two consecutive years. He became as Associate with Kenneth B. Drost, P.C. in September of 2005.

Colin maintains a practice in general business litigation, concentrating in areas of managing delinquent accounts receivable, commercial eviction, equipment leasing, bankruptcy, federal and state securities law, and real estate litigation. Colin is on the board of governors for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, and also Co-Chair of the Membership Committee. He also serves on the Alumni board of Directors for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, and is an active member of the Illinois Creditor’s Bar Association, the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Schaumburg Business Association.

JoAnn McCarville

JoAnn has been with the law firm for several years, and serves as a paralegal who has extensive litigation, bankruptcy and collection experience. She assists our attorneys in preparing and drafting substantive and routine orders, drafting complaints for both consumer and commercial matters, post judgment enforcement, such as Wage Garnishments, Citations, Rule to Show Cause, interface with clients as to the status of the file, negotiate payment plans, prepares and electronically files motions to modify the Automatic Stay in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13).

Jennifer Kennedy-Young

Jennifer has been with the law firm for several years, and serves as a paralegal with extensive litigation, bankruptcy and collection experience. She assists our attorneys in preparing and drafting substantive and routine orders, drafting complaints for both consumer and commercial matters, post judgment enforcement, such as Wage Garnishments, Citations, Rule to Show Cause, interface with clients as to the status of the file, negotiate payment plans, prepares and electronically files motion to modify the Automatic Stay in the Southern District, Central District and Northern District, Western Division of Illinois. She also handles the Account Receivables for the law firm.

Margarita L. Smith

Rita serves as administrative assistant for the firm. She has over 17 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant, Contract Administrator and Paralegal. She moved into litigation during her employment with a downtown Chicago Patent Law Firm. She also has experience working for a large Construction Company in their corporate offices.

Lisa Ryan

Lisa is the most recent addition to the firm. She serves as administrative assistant for the firm. She has over seven years of experience as an Administrative Assistant and Contract Administrator.