Utica Family Lawyers

Jennifer Bunker Skerston has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the Editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts and estates....

James T. Reilly has been practicing since 1979. He is an experienced trial lawyer with over fifty jury cases tried to verdict. He concentrates his practice in both civil and criminal litigation. Jury awards include medical malpractice, wrongful death, fraud prosecution and various types of personal injuries. He has defended cases in criminal courts ranging from fitness trials in murder cases to DUI’s. In addition to these, he has successfully defended persons charged with arson, aggravated battery, drug offenses and other felonies and misdemeanors.

Reilly has served as a LaSalle County Assistant Public Defender since 2000. He represents clients before the...

Whitney Cameron was the first of her family to go to college and she got her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics at Augustana College. She received her Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School in 2017, with honors. Whitney was an editor for The John Marshall Law Review and a member of the The John Marshall Moot Court Honors Program. While studying for her legal degree Whitney devoted over eight credit hours to pro bono and volunteer work. She spent an entire summer in 2016 at the Will County Court House in the Externship Program where...

Attorney Dion U. Davi has extensive experience in family, real estate and estate planning throughout Illinois. DuPage family law attorney Dion U. Davi is a skilled negotiator who seeks to resolve legal disputes with a favorable settlement whenever possible. When needed, however, he has the skills and experience to effectively and zealously advocate for his clients in court.

Courtney Mehta graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2011. During law school Courtney spent her summers clerking for a Family Law firm. After passing the bar, Courtney began her career working for Mitchell Law Group in Joliet, Illinois. In 2016, Courtney joined Henderson Law & Mediation Center. At Henderson Law & Mediation Center, Courtney concentrates her practice in the areas of Divorce, Separation, Parental Allocation (formerly known as Custody), Guardianship, and Adoption. Courtney is also on the Will County Mediation and Guardian ad Litem lists. She is frequently appointed in those capacities. Courtney is currently a member of the...

Andrew P. Cores is a graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Andrew earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Northwestern University School of Law in 1993. He is admitted to practice law in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. Andrew concentrates his family law practice in divorce, alimony and spousal support, child support, collaborative law, custody, prenuptial agreements, litigation and appeals, complex litigation, federal trial practice, state appellate practice, state trial practice, business law and mediation. Andrew has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2012. He is a member of the DuPage County...

With over 30 years of legal practice, Sandra Petras Bruckner is adept in assisting clients with navigating complex financial matters & providing options that maintain assets within families as they transition. In addition to her deft analytical skills, Sandra Petras Bruckner is known for her compassion, always carefully respectfully recognizing each client’s unique interests and concerns.

As a trained family law mediator & collaborative attorney, Sandra Petras Bruckner believes that the mediation & collaborative process options can better help people resolve family related legal disputes. In these roles, she helps clients unravel their legal issues, analyze their situation, and get to...

Cherissa "Reese" Loire Krajniak obtained her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Marquette University before going on to attend Florida Coastal Law School. She graduated with honors in 209 and was active with the school's Pro Bono Clinic, donating more than 200 hours of legal work to underserved members of the community. While taking a full course load and giving her time to the clinic, Reese was still able to complete her Juris Doctorate program in just over two years. She passed the bar exam in 2010 and opened her own practice in downtown Chicago. After medical issues sidetracked her career for...

Robert Motta II is the Managing Partner at Motta & Motta LLC. He concentrates his law practice in criminal defense, DUI, divorce & family law. Robert was named 2014 Top 100 National Trial Lawyer and is known in the legal community for his unparalleled pre-trial and trial strategies.

Monika M. Blacha provides knowledgeable and experienced legal counsel in the full range of family law matters, including divorce and the difficult decisions that must be made when ending a relationship. Because she understands how stressful resolving divorce issues can be, Monika emphasizes a personal approach with every client, tailoring her legal strategies to each individual’s unique needs. She provides clear communication throughout so her clients understand their options and are always informed on the status of their case.

In addition to family law issues, Monika helps clients navigate the Illinois probate process if a loved one has died. Whether you...

Known for promoting innovative litigation alternatives in family-related legal disputes, Rachel Nicole Hernandez is a collaborative family lawyer & the founder of Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, a collaborative law & family law firm with offices in St. Charles & Sycamore, Illinois.

Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC helps families resolve legal issues without going to court, whether it be through mediation, collaborative process, uncontested divorce, pre-divorce legal counseling, or limited scope representation. Rachel Nicole Hernandez provides advice to clients regarding their rights with respect to marital/non-marital assets & debts, maintenance, & child custody issues. Rachel Nicole Hernandez solicits the expertise of...

Tricia knew she wanted to be an attorney when she was 10 years old - being an attorney seemed glamorous and exciting. It was not until college, when Tricia was selected for Eastern Illinois University's mock trial time, that she realized how much she would enjoy litigation and courtroom work. After being accepted to the John Marshall Law School with a Dean's Scholarship, she added excellent writing skills to her love of working in the courtroom, winning the Dean Fred F. Herzog Moot Court Competition. Tricia was awarded a Moot Court Executive Board scholarship and went on to...

Daniel J. Kollias' combination of experience in the real world and in the courtroom sets him apart from other attorneys. He represents clients with the goal of finding practical solutions to complex problems. Prior to starting his firm, Dan successfully owned and managed a restaurant and bar in Elmhurst for a few years before returning to the practice of law. He understands business from the perspectives of both the entrepreneur and the advocate.

Dan is at home both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Dan gained extensive in-court experience as a prosecutor in the...

Anthony Andreano is a divorce lawyer in Will County, Illinois with offices in Joliet. Attorneys at the law firm handle family law cases involving uncontested and contested divorces, custody, parental responsibilities, visitation disputes, legal separation, spousal maintenance, child support, paternity, grandparent rights, civil unions, post judgments proceeding, support arrearage calculations and collection and other family law cases. For more information visit us at www.andreanoandlyons.com or call for an immediate consultation over the phone (815) 727-1937

Mr. Reeb is a partner at Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP. As a partner at Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP, Mr. Reeb focuses his practice exclusively on family law, representing business owners, executives, professionals, and their spouses. Mr. Reeb concentrates in all areas of family law, including issues of child custody and visitation, child support, maintenance, property division, complex financial matters, tax consequences, pre and post nuptial agreements, restraining orders, orders of protection, as well as family law appeals. Judges also frequently appoint Mr. Reeb to serve as Guardian ad Litem and as Mediator...

Mr. Shaw attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and graduated from Illinois College, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1983. He continued his education at the Northern Illinois University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1986, and became a Licensed Attorney in Illinois on November 6, 1986. Having previously practiced in general and family law practices, and having served as the Child Support Attorney for Kane County Circuit Court Clerk from 1987-1995, Mr. Shaw opened his own law practice concentrating in family law in 1991. In 2000 he co-founded the law firm...

I have been practicing law since 2001. I graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in May of 2001 and from DePaul University in June of 1996. My main area of concentration is family law, i.e., divorce, paternity, child support, allocation of parental responsibilities (formerly known as custody) and adoption. As a family law attorney, I understand that my clients have to make difficult decisions while dealing with complex issues and emotions. As such, I believe that the key to successful representation depends not only in understanding the underlying issues, but, also in experience and expertise in the law...

Mr. Arnquist is an experienced courtroom litigator who understands what it takes to win your case. Whether you need representation for an issue related to child support, a complicated divorce case, or a contested custody dispute, Mr. Arnquist will aggressively advocate on your behalf. Mr. Arnquist practices in Ogle, Lee, Whiteside, DeKalb and Stephenson Counties. Please call for a free consultation.

Paul Henry Millewich graduated from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and received his B.S. from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Paul's experience in the Coast Guard has allowed him to assist clients with complex mechanical, technical, and engineering cases involving injuries and wrongful death. Mr. Millewich has dedicated his practice to representing injured clients in Product Liability and Medical Malpractice cases. Paul has been a Personal Injury attorney for 33 years, and he is an experienced and skilled litigator. Every case Paul accepts is prepared for trial. He is...

Mr. Shore is acutely aware that when an individual contacts Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices about a legal problem, that for the client it is also a personal problem. In addition to litigating or negotiating settlements in many major cases, he is a skilled listener who is adept at developing & implementing cost-effective and winning strategies. Mr. Shore represents divorce and parentage clients in settlement negotiations, pre-trials, hearings, and trials. He is also appointed by the Court to represent minors in custody proceedings. As an appointed guardian for the children (referred to as a Guardian Ad Litem or GAL),...

Rory T. Weiler is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) who concentrates his practice in family law, with an emphasis on cases involving child custody and more complex economic issues, especially those involving family and closely held businesses. He is a member of the Leading Lawyers Network, and has been recognized as an Illinois “Super Lawyer” and as one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”

Rory is a member of the Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) and Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). He actively serves the ISBA and its charitable arm, the Illinois Bar Foundation. He has...

Wendy M. Musielak attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she graduated with highest honors with a B.S. in Finance and Management. She earned her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 2003. Wendy is admitted to practice law in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. Wendy concentrates her legal practice in family law matters including child custody and visitation, child support, alimony and spousal support, collaborative law, mediation, prenuptial agreements, litigation and appeals and complex litigation. Prior to being a partner with Andrew Cores Family Law Group, Wendy was a Staff Attorney for the...

My law firm represents people in DuPage, Kendall and Kane Counties. For nearly a decade, I have focused entirely on divorce, paternity (parentage), establishment and modification of support, parental rights, enforcement of divorce decrees and other family law related matters. I have litigated numerous divorce and parentage matters and know how to litigate yours. More importantly than that, I focus on keeping your case out of the courthouse as much as possible. That helps keep costs down and can actually expedite many cases.

I have an undergraduate degree in psychology with 5 years' experience working with abused children and adolescents with...

Marilyn Johnson is a partner at Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. She has been practicing law for over 30 years, concentrating in the areas of divorce, custody, support, and visitation. She has conducted numerous trials and hearings involving large marital estates and complex child custody issues. Prior to practicing law, Marilyn Johnson was a special education teacher who worked with children with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems. Her vast experience as a lawyer, teacher, and mother has enabled her to acquire a deep, compassionate understanding of the family unit, which has enabled her to counsel clients through the most...

Brian J. Banahan has been practicing law in DuPage, Kane and Cook County Illinois for over 20 years. He began his legal career and learned his way around the courtroom in 1997 as a full time 711 prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. From there, Mr. Banahan moved to serve as chief legal counsel and Deputy Public Administrator for DuPage County for 17 years. In that job, Mr. Banahan managed, administered, litigated, settled, and closed hundreds of decedent’s estates and an extensive number of related legal matters in nearly every area of the law. In the process, he...

Joel Patrick Brown was admitted to the practice of law in 2008. In 2009 Joel formed his own law firm and mainly practiced in the areas of criminal law, traffic law, and family law. In 2010 Joel closed his law firm and became an Assistant State's Attorney with the Will County State's Attorney's Office where he prosecuted thousands of DUI cases, hundreds of domestic battery cases, and countless aggravated and petty traffic criminal cases. Joel left the Will County State's Attorney's Office in January 2016. Joel practices in the areas of criminal law, DUI law, family, and divorce law, and...

Don B. Pioletti, Jr. has practiced law for over 35 years. He graduated from the George Mason University Law School in Virginia in 1976. He then served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General and later as an Assistant State's Attorney. He now practices at Pioletti & Pioletti in Eureka, IL doing general practice law.

Jane E. Nagle is a founding partner of McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C., and she concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of divorce and family law in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall, Lake and surrounding collar counties. Over the years, Jane has handled numerous pre-decree and post-decree divorce cases as well as paternity, child support enforcement, and contested cases involving the allocation of parental decision-making and parenting time. Jane is also experienced in handling chapter 7 bankruptcy cases as well as negotiating various types of unsecured debts, obtaining excellent settlements for her clients facing financial hardship. Through...

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)

Mikal Stole a prominent family law attorney in the Cook, Will, and Grundy Counties. He has successfully represented clients with complex cases involving high net worth estates, child custody disputes (allocation of parental responsibilities), and divorces involving business interests, while also efficiently handling routine matters. Mikal's also writes appellate court briefs on family law matters and is frequently appointed as Guardian ad Litem. Mikal serves as the Co-Chairperson of the Will County Bar Association's Family Law Committee and has been responsible for organizing the annual Family Law Seminar for several years. Mikal presents topics to the Bar Association including...

Marissa’s main areas of concentration are family law matters such as Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Visitation and Adoption. Marissa is also a court approved family Mediator and Guardian ad Litem in Kane and Dekalb County. In addition, Marissa is one of the few Kane County foreclosure mediators for the sixteenth judicial circuit.

Mr. Reeder fights for his clients bringing over 15 years of defending persons charged with violating the law to serve his clients. Mr. Reeder is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy. Mr. Reeder coached youth football for five years, participated in the American Pool Association, and founded a charity softball games between attorneys and the police department in Joliet which helped raise almost $3000.00 to help feed children in Will County.

Mr. Reeder served five years as an Assistant Public Defender in Will County at the felony,...

Monica P. Patankar is a partner with the law firm of Patankar Law P.C. Monica takes a compassionate approach to helping clients solve their legal issues. She listens to each story carefully and understands that no two issues are alike. Monica's legal training and experience have prepared her to handle your legal needs. Monica gained her legal knowledge at University of Notre Dame Law School in Notre Dame, Indiana. Upon graduation, Monica worked for a large law firm, Chapman and Cutler LLP in Chicago, Illinois. At Chapman, Monica worked with large municipalities and other governmental entities to raise capital for large...

Ray is a lifelong resident of Will County. He resides in Channahon, Illinois with his wife, Wendy and his two daughters. He has been practicing in the field of matrimonial and family law for almost two decades and acts as an appointed family law mediator in Will County.

Practice Areas
Family & Matrimonial
Divorce

Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1996

I have been a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois since 2003. I began my legal career as a an Assistant State's Attorney in the County of Kendall, State of Illinois. In 2007 I opened my private practice and have successfully represented hundreds of clients in matters ranging from criminal defense to various family law issues, including divorce. I have a unique perspective in criminal defense from my experience in criminal prosecution. I believe that in order to successfully represent client's in criminal and family law matters one must know what the available options are, have a very thorough...

Attorney Michelle Bugajsky focuses her practice on probate, estate planning, and family law. Whether assisting clients in planning for their futures or helping clients through problems in the here and now, Michelle provides caring and thoughtful legal services. Michelle takes great pride in combining her keen legal expertise of probate and estate planning law with a plan uniquely crafted for each specific client or family.

Michelle attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Thereafter, Michelle accepted an academic scholarship to attend the Illinois Institute of...

Barbara Morton graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication in 1992. Ms. Morton followed her BA with an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Regis University in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1996. Ms. Morton received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1998. She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since May 1999. Her practice emphasis is in Family law issues, Real Estate, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Traffic and Personal Injury. She has represented clients in litigation matters before Federal and State Courts, arbitration and...

Robert F. Kramer received his law decree from Northern Illinois University and has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1993. He opened The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. in 1997, in Plainfield, Illinois and now has offices in Will and DuPage Counties. Mr. Kramer has over 20 years of experience representing clients in divorce and family law matters. He is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated numerous child custody cases, complex marital estate and support cases and has helped over one thousand people with their legal matters. He attributes his firm's...