Bureau Lawyers

Terry J. Smith is a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White. He has represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law for more than 25 years, representing and regularly advising corporate defendants in litigation involving labor and employment matters in federal and state courts, and administrative agencies, throughout the United States. Prior to founding a boutique firm, Mr. Smith was a partner in one of the largest law firms in Chicago. He has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer for 15 consecutive years (2007-2021), representing the top 5% of all attorneys in the State of Illinois. Mr. Smith...

Attorney David Bryant is a partner of the firm and has been named as a rising star in the areas of Employee Benefits and ERISA by Super Lawyers magazine. He is also proud to have been recognized by his peers with the coveted AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated SM by Martindale-Hubbell.

Brian LaCien, a founding partner at Smith LaCien LLP with Todd A. Smith, leads a Chicago-based personal injury law firm dedicated to serving clients throughout the metropolitan area. Brian specializes in cases involving aviation negligence, class actions and mass torts, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises and product liability, professional negligence, and trucking litigation. With over 25 years of experience, Brian has a proven track record of resolving complex injury cases through both negotiation and litigation, working tirelessly to secure fair compensation for Illinois residents impacted by catastrophic injuries due to negligence. His commitment to exceptional representation and aggressive advocacy consistently yields...

Attorney Melvin L. Sims III is a Commercial and Residential Landlord-Tenant & Real Estate Attorney, a Realtor and a Title Agent with 18 years of experience in the practice of law. Mr. Sims' Landlord-Tenant practice focuses on defending and prosecuting Commercial and Residential Landlord-Tenant actions, including Evictions, Lease Terminations, Lease Arbitrage, as well as pre-litigation Commercial and Residential Lease Dispute Resolution throughout Northern Illinois. Attorney Sims' General Real Estate Practice includes representing both Sellers and Buyers in Commercial and Residential Conveyances through Closing, with an emphasis on Multi-Family assets of 10 units or more. Attorney Sims also provides Title...

Stacy founded Bardo Law, P.C. in 2015 to provide effective, zealous legal representation to consumers, while maintaining empathy and compassion for her clients. Prior to Bardo Law, P.C.’s inception, Stacy was an attorney at the Consumer Advocacy Center, P.C., where she exclusively practiced consumer law. Stacy has been principally involved in more than 275 cases for the victims of harassing debt collection practices, consumer fraud, bait and switch advertising, predatory lending, automobile financing and odometer fraud, wrongful repossessions, unfair mortgage foreclosures, incorrect credit reporting, and violations of the federal Truth in Lending, Telephone Consumer Protection, Fair Debt Collection...

Joseph D. Parente is a Chicago personal injury attorney with extensive litigation experience. He has represented injured persons in the Chicago area for many years, including injured members of the Cook County Forest Preserve, the Fraternal Order of the Police, Electrician’s Union, Carpenter’s Union, Plumber’s Union, and Pipefitter’s Union.

Personal injury attorney Joseph Parente earned his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Attorney Parente was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the Loyola University in Chicago.

He has represented injured persons in the Chicago area for many years, including injured members of the...

I have been a Chicago personal injury lawyer for 15 years. My firm is a full service personal injury practice, but with a strong focus in representing injured bicyclists.

Thomas has over 22 years of experience serving clients with respect and compassion in family law and real estate purchases and sales. Thomas has the experience and skill to handle both complex and more routine matters. He comes from a divorced family, which inspired him to become a family law attorney, Guardian ad Litem and mediator so he can help other families who are facing these similar difficult experiences. Thomas is also divorced with two children from his previous marriage and is remarried with a step-daughter, and these experiences help him understand and advocate for his clients in matters including...

Jennifer Kotalik is a John Marshall Law School graduate and now serves the state of Illinois by devoting her legal services to those who have been injured within the Chicago area. At Staver Law Group, Jennifer listens to the stories of injured individuals and helps them overcome their injuries by giving the best legal advice possible. With a focus on tort and personal injury law, Jennifer has won five Cali awards and graduated in the top 4 percent of her class at law school.

For nearly seven years, Michael P. Tomlinson practiced law at a large national law firm. During that time, Mr. Tomlinson represented clients in all types of complex commercial litigation, including the following types of cases: Restrictive covenants (non-competition and non-solicitation) Trade secret misappropriation Securities litigation Securities enforcement actions Labor and employment law Statutory fraud (e.g., the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act) Class action defense Uniform Commercial Code General contract and tort law Qui tam actions White collar crime Mr. Tomlinson also has experience in conducting internal investigations on behalf of both securities and health care clients. In addition to the litigation-related services listed above, Mr. Tomlinson provides advice to his...

I enjoy working with people to help bring better business ideas and technology into the world. I try to help people understand how the intellectual property legal system works and that it is a helpful tool, not an obstacle. I am committed to the long-term success of all my clients. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with high honors from the Illinois Institute of Technology. After working for over 5 years in software development and technology consulting, I earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois....

Charles Bletsas is senior counsel at Grant & Eisenhofer, where his primary area of practice is representing families and children in birth injury and birth trauma litigation. Prior to joining G&E, Mr. Bletsas was a partner at a Chicago firm focusing on medical malpractice defense and general civil litigation. With a record of trial success spanning over 20 years, Mr. Bletsas’ entire career has been heavily focused on birth trauma cases, having litigated traumatic birth injury claims such as hypoxic ischemic injuries, brachial plexus injuries, and neonatal complications. Mr. Bletsas is also skilled in attorney malpractice claims involving fiduciary issues, litigating complex...

Fitter Law is a Subscription-based Law Firm for Business, founded in 2019 in Chicago, IL. The Law Firm's subscription plans include unlimited legal consultations, unlimited contract reviews, powerful legal resources, insight, guidance, and much more to all clients for one low monthly price.

Attorney Jawad Fitter is the founding member of Fitter Law, LLC. He represents clients in business negotiations, relationship development, and contracting. He has facilitated over $50M Dollars in business transactions.

In addition, he represents businesses and individuals in civil litigation from pre-litigation counseling through trial. Mr. Fitter has represented clients in complex trust litigation, tax litigation, and business...

Patrick M. Callahan is a licensed Illinois attorney with an extensive background in healthcare. He received his Masters of Public Health from Columbia University in New York, New York. He then earned his law degree from DePaul University’s College of Law with an additional certificate in health care law. He has worked for multiple Illinois public agencies, including the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Health Care Fraud Division of the Illinois Office of the Attorney General.

He handles a wide range of health care related matters, including licensure issues for all healthcare providers and other regulated professionals,...

Concentration in Immigration and Naturalization Law: Asylum, Business and employment-related Immigration, Consular Processing, Criminal and Deportation/Removal Defense, Detention, Domestic Violence and Immigration, Family Immigration, Federal Litigation, Naturalization; Criminal Defense, Post-conviction relief, sealing or expungement, DUI and license suspension, traffic citations and license reinstatement; firm also practices in Injury and Workers' Compensation cases.

Attorney Paul I. Drake is a founding lawyer at Drake & Collopy, P.C. His legal career has been solely focused on advocating for personal injury victims throughout Chicago. He is dedicated to providing nothing short of top-notch service and representation in all legal matters. Over his nearly 20 years of legal service, he has helped individuals obtain tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements and continues to provide strong legal counsel throughout the area.

James Puritz is an associate at Grant & Eisenhofer where he focuses on representing families and children in birth injury and birth trauma litigation Prior to joining G&E, he was a trial attorney focusing on medical malpractice and catastrophic loss litigation. He also was an Assistant District Attorney in Massachusetts and an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston.

Ethan Guthman is an associate at Grant & Eisenhofer, where his primary area of practice is representing children and families in birth injury and birth trauma litigation. Prior to joining G&E, Mr. Guthman worked at a Chicago law firm focusing on medical malpractice, personal injury litigation, and representing injured individuals in nursing home neglect and abuse matters. Prior to being licensed, Mr. Guthman worked as a law clerk for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Edward Aucoin is a principal at Grant & Eisenhofer, where his primary area of practice is representing families and children in birth injury and birth trauma litigation. Prior to joining G&E, Mr. Aucoin worked at several medical negligence defense firms in the Chicago area, focusing on medical malpractice and professional liability as well as commercial litigation. He also was a senior trial attorney at a national insurance company. Mr. Aucoin has successfully litigated hundreds of cases and has served as first and second chair trial attorney. He has handled every aspect of medical negligence cases, from pleadings and discovery to experts...

Andrew Gable represents individuals arrested and charged with federal and state felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout the Chicago and Cook County area. He also handles state and federal criminal appeals. He has handled a wide range of cases from murder, felony sexual assault, and felony drug possession to DUI, marijuana possession, and domestic violence. He has represented alleged organized crime members, alleged gang members, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, prosecutors, state and federal law enforcement officers, prison guards, military personnel, bus drivers, truck drivers, teachers, students, entertainers, and executives. ...

Alan Sohn has provided expert legal counsel in the areas of wills and trusts, business succession planning, the organization and representation of privately-held businesses, probate and administration of estates, elder law, and real estate acquisition and leasing. Alan is conversant with and has utilized S corporations and limited liability companies for business, estate planning and asset protection. Alan has also counseled and assisted his clients in connection with the resolution of family disputes and when necessary represented their interests in the courts and in arbitration proceedings where efforts in resolving such disputes have been unsuccessful. Having dealt with a...

Zeller law is an innovative business law firm providing professional, efficient, and affordable legal representation to small businesses, start-ups, professionals, and entrepreneurs throughout Illinois. Our Chicago lawyers practice in the areas of civil and business litigation, corporate and business law, contract law, estate planning, and trademark law.

Charles W. Siragusa has represented many individuals who have sold their home, or are buying a home, in the Chicago metropolitan area. He has extensive experience reviewing and modifying real estate sale contracts for sellers and buyers. Federal, Illinois and county laws and regulations must be complied with to close a residential real estate transaction in Illinois; in addition, Chicago, and almost every city, town and village in the Chicago metropolitan area, has its own unique requirements that must be satisfied. Charles W. Siragusa is familiar with all of the legal requirements for closings in Chicago and the cities, towns...

Along with his years of experience, Lake County divorce attorney Van A. Schwab has a solid educational basis for his divorce and family law practice. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, he received his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Because of recent, up-to-date training, Mr. Schwab is a certified divorce mediator, and is prepared to handle family law issues through collaborative law methods. He has published an article on cohabitation in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Licensed to practice family law in the states of Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey, he...

Dan is a litigator and trial attorney with over 30 years of experience dealing with the full range of complex personal injury cases, including construction injuries, medical mistakes, trucking, product defects, motorcycle, bicycle, and all vehicle injuries. Dan has proudly represented injured persons and the families of deceased all over the country and has secured over 100 million dollars in compensation for our clients. Dan was mentored by the legendary Leonard Ring and became a managing partner by the age of 30 overseeing the Personal Injury Department. Dan is known for his preparation, his persistence, and leaving no stone unturned, and...

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.

James A. Podgorny is a sole practicing attorney, which means he will be the only attorney you will deal with at the firm. You will not be shuffled amongst many associates who will not necessarily know the current status of your case, as is commonly found in large law firms. Mr. Podgorny will always know the status of your file, and you can always address your concerns directly with him. Mr. Podgorny will return your telephone calls in a timely manner, leaving you free from the stress and anxiety of worrying if you have an attorney focused on your matter...

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...

Criminal defense attorney practicing in Will, Du Page, Cook, Kane, Kendall and surrounding areas handling matter from minor traffic tickets, DUIs, domestic battery, drugs cases, sex cases and all misdemeanors and felonies.

Richard Doerr is married and has two children and three teenage grandchildren. In his 40+ years' experience, Mr. Doerr has tried cases on matters ranging from speeding to murder. In 1972, he was selected out of 200 applicants as one of ten participants in the St. Louis County Prosecutor's intern program. During his 31 years in bankruptcy practice, he has seen two major revisions in bankruptcy laws, the first in 1978 and the second in 2005. Mr. Doerr's leisure activities include cross-country skiing, car shows, and driving his classic 1973 Corvette convertible.

Attorney Robert (Bob) Canfield was born and raised in Rockford, IL. He graduated from Guilford High School in 1965. After joining the Army in February of 1968, he went on to Army flight school and graduated 2nd in his flight class. He spent a year in Vietnam flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters for the 101st Airborne Division and then returned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, as an Instrument Flight Instructor.

Following active Duty, he attended the University of Minnesota where he received his BA in psychology in 1976 and his Law degree in 1978. After taking and passing both the...

Kathleen C. Chavez, founding partner of Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC, earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1998 from Northwestern University School of Law. Chavez is a nationally recognized civil litigator with a reputation for obtaining exceptional results in challenging cases. She is a results-driven, highly focused “problem-solver” with an unmatched ability to strategically frame critical issues, develop innovative solutions and negotiate outstanding results for her clients. She is admitted to practice law in California, Illinois and Washington D.C., as well as various federal courts, the Federal Trial Bar and the United States Federal Court of Claims.