Dakota Lawyers

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,...

After almost a decade of working for midsize and large law firms in Chicago, I decided to open my own office. I now focus on the legal needs of individuals in and around my community. My goal is to provide practical legal services in understandable language at reasonable rates.

have been a licensed attorney and practicing attorney since 1995. Although I have practiced in Kane, DuPage and Cook counties, I currently limit my practice to McHenry County. I focus on issues affecting families and represent spouses, parents, children and disabled adults in divorce, post decree, paternity, adoption, juvenile, probate and guardianship matters. I am a trained Guardian ad Litem and Child’s Representative and appointed by the court in divorce or probate matters. I am also a trained Collaborative Attorney and mediator. Although I no longer accept court appointments for mediation, I use these skills in my roles as negotiator,...

Attorneys Paulette M. Gray and Robert L. Gray are the principal attorneys at Gray & Gray LLC located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Attorney Paulette M. Gray is a Past President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Paulette continues to be active in the Illinois Chapter of the AAML having served as an Officer within the Chapter as well as being on its Board of Managers for several years. She previously served as Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Council (2008-09) during which time she testified in Springfield in...

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

Robert F. Stringini has been practicing criminal law for over 40 years. He is the former law partner of former Attorney General and former DuPage County States Attorney, James E. Ryan. He is also a former law partner of sitting Federal Court Judge John W. Darrah. He, himself, is also a former Dupage County Assistant States Attorney. Robert has handled or tried hundreds of criminal cases, including, but not limited to, attempted murder, sexual assault, theft and DUI. Robert has successfully argued before the Illinois Appellate Court.

Mr. Montemayor has experience in both criminal and family law. Mr. Montemayor has experience representing a wide-range of clients, from working class families to professional athletes. Mr. Montemayor brings the same level of tenacity and compassion to each one of his cases. Mr. Montemayor finds pride in being able to assist his clients through what feels like the most difficult time of their life.

Richard Schmack was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Berwyn, Illinois. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois in 1977 with double majors in Political Science and History. In 1980 he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Richard was admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Richard has made DeKalb County his home since1985. He, his wife, Jackie, who is his office manager, and...

Since 2003, Harry Bradley has been helping clients find effective solutions to legal issues both in and out of the courtroom. He began his career as a litigator in Indiana and Illinois courtrooms, having presented over 25 cases to jury, but now also frequently recommends alternative dispute resolution when this represents the most efficient means of resolving a client's dispute. Harry is admitted to practice before the Supreme Courts of Illinois and Indiana, as well as the federal district courts in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He has also presented difficult cases...

Oren Graupe has a deep and diverse legal background, which includes experience in plaintiff’s personal injury, commercial litigation, residential real estate, estate planning, bankruptcy, criminal defense, and family law.

Oren regularly handles all aspects of family law and domestic relations, including: pre and post nuptial agreements, non-contested low-cost divorces, complex child related issues, business valuation, support, post-decree, paternity, and alternative dispute resolution. He strives to be available for his clients. Oren combines an aggressive, straightforward approach with an ability to make difficult topics easier to access.

In addition to litigation, Oren recognizes that many clients want and need swift resolution to...

Julie has been an attorney with The Collins Law Firm, P.C. since 2006, and concentrates her practice on the Firm’s litigation work as well as acting as outside general counsel to non-profit associations. Julie was admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois in 2006, and earned her juris doctor degree from Northern Illinois University’s College of Law in May 2006, where she graduated summa cum laude. Prior to law school, Julie attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, receiving her B.A. in Business Administration in 2002. Julie is an active member of the American Society of...

Jason S. Marks was born in Highland Park, Illinois and raised in Lake County. He majored in Finance from University of Iowa. In May of 1998, Jason received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration (B.B.A) from the University of Iowa. His degree was awarded with Honors and High Distinction placing him in the top 5%of the graduating class. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Jason attended the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. He was awarded a Juris Doctor (J.D) degree with Honors from DePaul in May of 2001. Jason went into private practice following law school. In...

Lauren's practice focuses on real estate transactions, estate planning and representing small businesses. Lauren has a diverse real estate practice and has helped hundreds of clients buy and sell personal residences, investment properties, and commercial properties. She understands how complex and time consuming buying and selling real property is and she assists clients in every aspect of the process. Lauren prides herself on her attention to detail, responsiveness, and knowledge of the ever changing real estate market. She maintains relationships with the area’s top realtors, builders, home inspectors, lenders, surveyors and title companies so that she can...

Since 1986 practices exclusively family law matters including divorce, alimony, custody, support, paternity, and adoption cases. He has handled cases in Cook and Lake counties in the trial courts and the appellate court. Mr. Schlesinger is a 25+year member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He has served on its Admissions Committee, its Board of Directors, and as Vice President.

Michael Strauss practices only family law since being admitted to the Illinois Bar. Michael also serves as a mediator and as a Child Representative or Guardian Ad Litem. Michael is a Rising Star in the area of Family Law by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2014 and 2015, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of all Illinois attorneys under 40. The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer Magazine recognized Michael as one of the most talented up and coming young lawyers in Illinois, with his selection to the 40 Under Forty 2014 list. Michael is one of only two attorneys...

Manish C. Bhatia has focused his education and practice on Estate Planning and Business Succession Planning since the first year of law school. He has also added Asset Protection, Elder Law and Nonprofit Organizations/ Charitable Giving to his fields of practice. Manish is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago and the Indian American Bar Association. To arrange an initial meeting, please visit www.mcb-law.com/contact. Several convenient locations are available to meet, including locations in Chicago, Schaumburg, Northbrook, Deerfield, Niles and other suburbs.

Alex Ion is a litigator and regulatory attorney that focuses his practice in healthcare law, employment disputes, cannabis law, and commercial litigation. Alex also provides independent consulting services on issues of healthcare and cannabis regulatory law, policy, and compliance. He currently serves as Precinct Committeeman in DuPage County, Illinois.

Alex has represented and advised businesses ranging from international organizations and Fortune 500 companies to non-profits, sole proprietorships, and closely-held corporations. Alex’s intimate knowledge in navigating local, state, and federal regulatory schemes have helped his clients excel within the current difficult legal landscapes in both the healthcare sector and the legal...

Susan L. Dawson earned her juris doctorate at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2000 with a concentration in corporate/business law and taxation. Licensed in Illinois since 2000, Susan has spent her entire career representing businesses, business owners, entrepreneurs and employees. She has a wide range of experience working with clients on local, national and international levels. Susan delivers a commitment to service which surpasses client's expectations, promptly meeting tight deadlines and quickly responding to pressing matters as they arise. Susan is equally involved in the community, dedicating significant time and effort to supporting numerous not-for profit...

Brandy Wisher primarily practices family law, representing clients in all aspects of domestic relations proceedings, including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, property distribution, maintenance and spousal support, the allocation of parental responsibilities, child support and college expenses, post-dissolution enforcement and modification proceedings, and parentage actions. Brandy counsels her clients with knowledge and compassion throughout all stages of their cases, including during settlement negotiations and at court appearances and in other adversarial settings throughout litigation.


Brandy has been an Associate Attorney with the Law Office of Miriam Cooper & Associates, LLC since April 2016. Brandy received her Juris Doctor degree from...

Miriam E. Cooper is the founder of the Law Office of Miriam Cooper & Associates, LLC, a law firm based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Ms. Cooper provides legal services throughout the Greater Chicagoland area. Her primary focus is family law, including divorce, child support and allocation of decision-making and parenting time, spousal support, and post-decree modifications. She also provides real estate services complementary to her practice. Ms. Cooper graduated from The John Marshall Law School and has been practicing family law in Illinois for nearly 30 years. She is an advocate for children’s best interests and serves as a certified...

JEELANI LAW FIRM, PLC is an immigration law practice which provides legal services to individuals and businesses throughout the U.S.  With regard to immigration matters, our firm  can represent you no matter where you are located.  We handle all immigration matters including family based adjustment of status/green card cases, citizenship filings, representation of businesses and employees when filing L1A/B Petitions, H1B petitions, and Permanent Labor petitions.  In the case of investors who wish to receive status as an E1/E2 Treaty Trader/Investor or an EB-5 Investor, our office can help you structure a qualifying investment.  Our firm also litigates immigration cases dealing with delayed adjudications as well as appellate matters before the U.S. Federal Courts, U.S. Immigration Courts, USCIS...

Sara L. Roberts is an accomplished family law attorney with 20 years of experience. She has extensive experience and knowledge in all areas of family and matrimonial law, including custody and allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, maintenance, child support, financial issues and post decree actions. Ms. Roberts is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.

Mr. Rabin is active in a variety of bar association and community groups. He has served on the Executive Council of the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) Social Security Disability Committee; as a chairperson of the Chicago Bar Association Social Security Disability Committee and he is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR). He has spoken at a number of NOSSCR and ATLA national conferences on various Social Security law issues. He has been chosen by his peers as a “Leading Lawyer” in Illinois in the Social Security Disability practice area...

I am an experienced attorney that specializes in Traffic Defense and DUI Defense. I was awarded the Rising Star award by Super Lawyers in 2023. I am an experienced litigator with several years of litigation experience having tried over 50 cases in both the jury trial and bench trial setting. I have served as an Assistant State's Attorney for the State's Attorney's Office prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses. I also have tried and obtained favorable results at trial. I have substantial trial experience and litigation experience, and I put my 100% in for all of my clients. I always keep...

The Ivec Law firm was founded in 2004 by JohnPaul Ivec with the purpose of providing superior legal representation. JohnPaul Ivec successfully represents clients, from petty offenses to super-X felonies, with an innovative, client-centered advocacy which is focused on results. JohnPaul gained extensive trial experience from his work as a prosecutor with the Will County State's Attorney and as a clerk with the Illinois State Appellate Public Defender. A distinct advantage for his clients, JohnPaul is able to draw from his legal training the University of Michigan, one of the nation's elite law...

For more than 20 years, I have provided strong representation to people in DuPage County, Cook County and the surrounding parts of Illinois. My practice is focused solely on family law, and my experience and depth of knowledge allows me to handle the most challenging cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, property division and other issues. Mary is among a very elite group of attorneys who have received the Martindale-Hubbell "Client Distinction Award", both in 2015 and 2016. Less than 1% of the nation's 900,000 plus attorneys earn this honor. While I understand that you do not necessarily...

The most important thing to know about Mr. Larsens practice is the level of concern and commitment he brings to each and every client who come to him for representation. He realizes the outcome of these matters represent extremely important events in your life. People want service, quality and trust. Mr. Larsen is an experienced lawyer and he directly handles all the details associated with your legal issues. Count on his help and availability every step of the way, from your initial meeting with him to the final resolution of your case.

A graduate from the Drake University School of Law, Mr. Vacco's practice is concentrated in the areas of real estate and estate planning. Mr. Vacco is also a licensed Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker and a member of the Illinois Association of Realtors®. He is an active member with the IL and Will County Bar Associations, where he serves on both the Will County Real Estate Law Committee and the Illinois State Bar Real Estate Section Committee. He is also a Member of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association. As a member of the Will County...