Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that partners Kenneth J. Ottaviano and Paige Barr Tinkham have been named Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law 2026 by Crain's Chicago Business.
According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the professionals recognized in this annual list include firm leaders, trial lawyers, tax advisers, restructuring specialists, corporate dealmakers, consultants, and practice heads who guide clients through litigation, transactions, regulatory change, and growth strategy. Their work helps shape business, civic life, and the courts.
To view Crain’s Chicago Business' list of Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law 2026, please click here (subscription required).
The Blank Rome honoree profiles, as published in Crain's Chicago Business, are copied in full below.
Kenneth Ottaviano
Chair, Chicago office
Blank Rome
Scope of work: Since 2019 Ottaviano has grown the office from four attorneys to more than 40 staff. He oversees budget management, brand development, and recruitment and helped build practices including restructuring, white-collar, real estate, insurance, healthcare, and data privacy.
Biggest professional win: Ottaviano led the team representing Forbright Bank in a$112.19 million revolving credit facility to a consumer lending platform for residential solar panels. When the borrower defaulted, the team secured a significant paydown by negotiating an assignment of loans to new lenders and restructuring, successfully guiding the client through Chapter 11 proceedings.
Other contributions: Ottaviano serves on Lake Forest College’s board.
Paige Tinkham
Partner
Blank Rome
Scope of work: Tinkham advises large financial institutions on complex insolvency matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars, including approximately $600 million in the last year. She joined as a founding Chicago office partner in 2019.
Biggest professional win: Tinkham represented a debtor-in-possession lender to a respiratory medical device company, securing financing that carried the company through a sale process. Her client was repaid, jobs were retained, and creditor returns were maximized.
Other contributions: Tinkham served 12 years on Ascend Justice’s board, several as president, and belongs to the American Bankruptcy Institute and Turnaround Management Association.