Merna Family Lawyers

Raleigh is the Past President of the DuPage County Association of Women Lawyers, the Past President and a current Board Member of the DuPage County Bar Foundation, a Past-Editor-In-Chief and current Editor for the DCBA Brief Magazine and a member of the following organizations: DuPage County Bar Association including the Family Law Committee, and Illinois State Bar Association. Raleigh received her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1993 and graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2001. Raleigh is a solo practitioner in Wheaton, IL. The firm handles matters in Wheaton, Kendall, Kane, Will, DeKalb, and...

Nick Kulagin is a dedicated family law and estate planning attorney who has represented residents of DuPage County and Kane County for 15 years. Based in Wheaton, Mr. Kulagin works diligently to protect his clients’ families, homes, and businesses. He believes that successful advocacy begins with investigating each person’s particular needs. With a strong reputation in the legal community, he is committed to helping his clients understand their legal rights and options so that they can make fully informed decisions.

Mr. Kulagin attended De Paul University for his undergraduate studies, graduating with a Political Science degree. He went on to earn...

A graduate of University of Illinois and DePaul University College of Law, Attorney Anthony Abear has been practicing law for almost two decades. He began his legal career in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. A former felony prosecutor, Mr. Abear gained valuable experience in investigative interviewing and litigation.

In 2003, Mr. Abear established his own firm, Abear Law Offices, which is dedicated to family law matters. Mr. Abear brings the skill set of a prosecutor into his family law practice. He offers clients aggressive representation and is not afraid to go to court to argue on his clients’ behalf. ...

Josette Allen obtained her bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in 1989 and her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN) in 1992.

Ms. Allen concentrates her law practice in the area of family law. She has extensive experience in the area of family law which includes pretrial discovery, motion practice, contested hearings, and trials. She can handle complex family law litigation involving children and/or finances, whether it is pre or post-Judgment. Prior to joining Momkus LLC, Ms. Allen owned and operated her own law practice.

Ms. Allen’s legal experience is diverse and widespread as it relates to representing...

Jeffrey S. Keller founded his law firm in 1994. Mr. Keller concentrates his practice in the following main areas: Litigation, Divorce/Family Law, Real Estate, and Business Law.

Paul Gentile has been practicing law for over 30 years. He started his career working for the leading law firm Baker and McKenzie. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney in the traffic, misdemeanor, and felony division for seven years, where he handled over a thousand drunk driving, hit and run, driving while revoked or suspended, misdemeanors, domestic violence, assault, weapons, drugs and countless other crimes. He established his general practice in Orland Park, Illinois in 1987. He expanded his practice to include family law. Over the course of his career, there are not many types of...

Angela Henderson received her undergraduate and Juris Doctorate from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997. During law school, she participated in the mediation clinic at DePaul after taking two semesters of mediation training. She also practiced as a family lawyer during law school through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services under a 711 license. Angela began her career as a family attorney with offices in Hinsdale and Lemont. Nine years ago she decided to limit her practice to one county and now has a single office in Joliet.

Her practice continues to focus on...

Attorney Sean P. Sullivan earned his Juris Doctor in 2009 from Western Michigan Law School. After graduating from law school, and passing the bar, Sean spent a year working in the General Counsel’s Office for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation assisting in policy decisions, internal administration, and enforcement of professional licensing. Sean then had the opportunity to work for some of DuPage County’s best-known names in family law before joining a DuPage County general practice firm as its senior family law and litigation counsel.

Sean specializes in highly contested matters, be it divorce cases or business disputes. Sean...

Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, Todd has been surrounded by legal role models his entire life. His father, the Honorable Joseph C. Polito (retired) built a highly successful legal practice in Will County before being appointed as an Associate Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Will County, which gave Todd the opportunity to regularly interact with many of his father’s colleagues and fueled his passion for the legal profession at a young age.

Todd served in the United States Navy for four years, earning the prestigious Naval Achievement medal before being honorably discharged. Upon returning to civilian life, Todd built...

Ms. Pirtle uses her extensive knowledge in helping each and every client find a solution that is tailored to his or her circumstances while also exhibiting strong advocacy in the courtroom. She understands that not every case is a trial case nor can every case be kept out of the courtroom. Whether your needs are getting through a tough situation now or planning to avoid tough situations in the future, Ms. Pirtle can help you achieve your goals. Practice Areas • Divorce • High Asset Divorce • Maintenance & Alimony • Child Custody & Child Support • Prenuptial Agreements • Family Law • Residential Real Estate Bar Admissions Education...

Wayne Johnson is a partner at Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. He has been practicing law for over 35 years, and his practice focuses primarily on family law, criminal law, bankruptcy law, estate law, and real estate matters. He has conducted numerous trials and court hearings involving large marital estates and complex child custody issues.

With over 10 years of experience in Divorce and Child Custody Law, Michael Navarro devotes 100% of his practice to Family Law, and represents clients throughout the Will County, DuPage County, and Kendall County areas.

I'm a trial attorney with extensive courtroom experience. I also teach college classes as an adjunct professor in areas such as criminal law, criminal procedure, business law, business ethics and corrections.

My primary practice focus is family law and domestic relations litigation. My secondary areas of concentration include estate planning and probate.

* 2018 SuperLawyers Top 2.5% Rising Star
* 2018 National Advocates Top 40 Under 40 Attorneys in Illinois in Matrimonial and Family Law
* 2018 Recognized as one of the "Ten Best" Family Law Attorneys in Illinois by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA)

At Forkan Law, we provide affordable, effective and personalized legal counsel and representation in the areas of bankruptcy law, criminal defense, divorce and real estate law. With offices in Burr Ridge and Chicago, we serve clients throughout the greater Chicago area of Illinois.

I am Thomas Eric Ost. As a former Assistant Public Defender in DuPage County, I handled hundreds of criminal, mental health, and juvenile cases. Those cases ranged from DUIs, Domestic Batteries, and Retail Thefts to Aggravated Batteries and Murder. The police and the prosecutors seem to do their best to dehumanize defendants to everyone including to the defendants themselves. Yet in 23 years of practice, I’ve learned that most people with legal problems are not bad people. They are people who are caught up in a problem a lot bigger than they...

When he was in high school, Jeff sensed that he was destined to be an attorney. For example, after receiving his results from an exam in his Spanish class, and then further confronting his teacher about the test, Jeff’s instructor told him, “you should be a lawyer…you want to argue about everything.” Jeff’s parents, when told of the advice that he had received that morning, tended to agree and offered the same advice, in that they had the same type of experiences as Jeff’s Spanish teacher; from “arguing” about what time to go to bed, to what time curfew was,...

Chantelle A. Porter is a graduate of The Ohio State University (2003) and graduated from DePaul University College of Law (2006). Chantelle was admitted to practice in 2006. While at DePaul University College of Law, Chantelle received her Family Law Certificate and was the recipient of the Public Interest Law Association Grant - Judge Jeffrey Coman Designation, the Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center Grant, and the Dean's Scholarship.

Chantelle is a Partner at A. Traub and Associates, practicing all areas of Family Law, Juvenile Criminal Defense, DCFS Abuse and Neglect, Domestic Violence, Orders of Protection, and Civil Litigation Defense....

I am a general practice attorney who serves DeKalb, and Kane Counties.

Since 2012, Anthony Vechiola has chosen to concentrate his practice in matters related to family law. Mr. Vechiola’s unique financial background combined with many years in the family law industry provide him a competitive advantage to resolve a divorce or family law matter, either in or out of court. In 2016, Mr. Vechiola earned a certification as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. In 2019, Mr. Vechiola was designated a Certified Financial Litigator by the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators. Mr. Vechiola has also received several awards throughout his legal career. Personal Statement My...

Roland P. Ernst is a highly regarded trial attorney and litigator with extensive courtroom experience in both the divorce and marital law field. He has gone to trial in numerous contested divorce cases, child custody cases, divorce modification cases. Roland has also argued cases in the Illinois Appellate Court, Illinois Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. With more than 39+ years of courtroom experience, he knows there is no substitute for hard work and thorough preparation of your divorce case. If you are looking for an experienced, skilled and compassionate attorney who will work...

Mark D. Brent is a native of Aurora. He graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Illinois in 1988, and the University of Illinois College Of Law in 1991. Mark spent several years doing major tort and insurance litigation with Williams and Montgomery in Chicago. He began his focus on Domestic Relations and Family Law in 1997 in Aurora. Mark is well-versed in all areas of family law, and family law is Mark's primary focus. Mark is an aggressive advocate for family law clients, handling all types of cases, with a focus on high-conflict issues, custody...

Joseph K. Janusonis has been a licensed Illinois attorney since 2001 and has been practicing in the areas of family law and divorce law since 2005. His knowledge of family law and the courts help him in assisting you during these difficult and stressful times. Joseph approaches his cases with the goal of helping you to reach a favorable settlement, however, he is experienced and prepared to take your case to trial, should the need arise. Joseph's extensive experience acting as Mediator and a Guardian Ad Litem gives him additional insight into matters of custody, visitation, and issues related to...

Ms. O'Brien graduated with the highest honors from Lewis University in May 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, double majoring in Criminal / Social Justice and American Studies (History Department). In 2001, Ms. O'Brien worked for Target Corporation as a human resources manager where she recruited new team members and helped run the Orland Park Target store. Ms. O'Brien then attended DePaul University College of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in May 2004. While a law student, she was employed at the National Anti-Vivisection Society as a legal analyst helping maintain http://www.AnimalLaw.com. Ms. O'Brien also clerked with...

Liz Nohren has been practicing law for over 20 years. Her first 5 years were spent at a commercial litigation firm in Chicago, where she thrived and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of a city practice. However, Liz felt a pull to return home to the family firm in Shelbyville and join her father in practice. She remained lead counsel on a couple trials, including a construction litigation jury trial, and completed that work by commuting to Chicago for approximately 8 months after her move at the firm's request. Since moving home to Shelby County, Liz...

John is a former Assistant State's Attorney in the counties of Will and Peoria, Illinois. He has been practicing in the field of family law for 20 years. He is also an accredited mediator in family law, and acts as a guardian ad litem, representing children in family law matters. In addition to family law, he is also an experienced probate lawyer, representing decedent's estates and their families. He has prepared countless Wills and Powers of Attorneys for individuals. In addition, he is a skilled adoption attorney, representing families in both related and unrelated adoptions.

Originally from the south suburbs of...

With over 30 years in practice and being a fourth generation lawyer, I live to help my clients. I understand that our families and our jobs are largely how we define ourselves, and when things go wrong with either our whole world is turned upside down. If you have been wrongfully fired, harassed, underpaid, or treated badly by your employer, I may be able to help you get justice for the wrongs done to you. If you need a divorce, child support, custody, visitation, or some other help in your family situation, contact me to get you started...

Gregory Jumbeck was admitted in 2003 to practice law in the State of Illinois. He focuses his practice in the area of domestic relations. Gregory centralizes his practice to Will and Grundy Counties as well as the Illinos appellate courts. Mr. Jumbeck has tried numerous pre and post-decree cases including child custody (aka allocation of parental responsibilities), removal from Illinois, business valuation, child support, and maintenance. Gregory focuses on reaching a favorable and equitable result for all parties involved. Gregory's courtroom presence makes him an effective litigator both in and out of the courtroom. Originally from the southwest suburbs...

Ms. Niedermeyer was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2005. She has over nine and half years of experience working as a family law attorney. Ms. Niedermeyer is also a certified family law mediator. Ms. Niedermeyer is very empathetic to her clients and understands the need to communicate regularly and effectively with them during a difficult time in their lives. She often receives referrals from local domestic violence shelters as she is well respected for her legal knowledge and ability to effectively handle all aspects of family law matters, including domestic violence cases.

Ms. Niedermeyer grew up in Cary, Illinois and...

Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Tabor was first employed as a criminal prosecutor and subsequently as an assistant public defender where he conducted numerous hearings and trials, both bench and jury. Practicing on both sides of criminal law gave Mr. Tabor a unique perspective on analyzing factual scenarios in an objective manner. In 2000, he began practicing Family Law on a full time basis and has remained doing so ever since. In 2003 he founded Tabor Law Offices, and since that time he has become an experienced family law practitioner and mediator. Mr. Tabor...

Since his first days of law school, Jordan R. Byhring has been dedicated to making a difference in his community by counseling individuals and corporations in need of an experienced litigator in their corner. As an attorney who has practiced in state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies on matters related to civil litigation, he exhibits honesty, thoughtfulness, and tenacity at every stage of a family law matter. Previously, Jordan has provided legal assistance to not only large corporations to defend their interests in complex tort cases, but also to individuals, including on cases related to food poisoning, automobile accident,...

Kane County lawyer, Susan D. Shivers, has been practicing law for over 27 years. Susan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University (with a double major in Psychology and English) and her Law degree, with Honors, from The John Marshall Law School. Susan is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Alexander Ktenas is the founding partner of Ktenas Law. Prior to establishing Ktenas Law, Alexander worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney's office for years.

As a former prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney office, Alexander Ktenas has had the opportunity to learn the Legal System inside and out. Alexander began his career handling family law cases including establishing paternity, support orders, post-decree issues, and even parenting schedules.

Subsequently, Alexander spent years handling all types of criminal cases both misdemeanor and felony. Alexander has become an expert in handling DUI cases and all types...

Van A. Larson is the President of and principal/sole attorney at the Law Office of Van A. Larson, P.C. in downtown Batavia, Illinois. Van received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and later received his Juris Doctorate from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Van A. Larson was admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois in 1978. Since then, he has gained more than 35 years of litigation experience in nearly all courts throughout Kane, Kendall, DuPage and DeKalb counties. Van’s career began...