LaSalle County Lawyers

Former President of the McDonough County Bar Association, and named as one of the top 40 lawyers under the age of 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40. CALI award for excellence winner for trial advocacy. Former First Assistant State's Attorney of the McDonough County Bar Association. Managing Attorney at the Law Office of Ken Wang. Admitted to the Federal Bar of the Northern District of Illinois and the Federal Trial Bar.

Admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005, Joseph graduated from Ambassador University, Big Sandy, TX, where he was on the Dean's List and received his B.A., and then graduated from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, where he earned an M.A. in Counseling and was awarded the Nichol Memorial Award for Integrity. Joseph is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law, where he served as a student representative on the Law School's curriculum committee. With several years of experience as a counselor prior to attending law school, Joseph brings unique and valuable experience to the field of domestic relations...

Denice A. Gierach is a business and estate planning lawyer with more than 30 years of experience representing business owners in the formation, franchising, and dissolution of businesses; contract negotiation and reviews; business litigation; partnership disputes, succession planning; commercial real estate; and aiding individuals in matters of advanced estate planning, and charitable giving. She also leads her firm’s YourOGC program providing Outsourced General Counsel services to small and medium size businesses to assist them in preventing legal issues, providing proper planning for reaching goals, and insight into issues preventing them from further success. As a Certified Public Accountant with a master's degree...

LEANDRO A. ALHAMBRA
Respect, Compassion and Zealous Advocacy
Mr. Alhambra prides himself in providing each client with respect, compassion and zealous advocacy. Prior to pursuing his ambition of becoming a lawyer, Mr. Alhambra spent two years administering UAW disability benefits for a major insurance company. Seeing first hand some of the injustices done to working men and women, Mr. Alhambra made the decision to focus his talents representing the injured worker. His thorough knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry’s policies and procedures have proven to be a tremendous asset in obtaining maximum recovery for his clients. Since joining the firm...

Ed was born in Park Ridge, Illinois. During grade school and high school, Ed lived in the small town of Crete, Illinois. In his senior year of high school, Ed enlisted with the Illinois Army National Guard as a field artillery cannon crewmember. In August of 2001, Ed was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic and advanced individual training. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon happened during his training. After completing training, Ed returned to Illinois and shortly afterwards, began attending school at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. In 2004, during his senior year at...

I was raised in Channahon, Illinois. I graduated from Minooka High School. I received my Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University in 2010, where I majored in Politics and Government and minored in Legal Studies. I was actively involved in the ISU Mock Trial program, competing in many tournaments throughout different states. Throughout college I had various legal internships, most notably with the McLean County State's Attorney Drug and Gang Unit, where I first found my interest for criminal law.

I earned my Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University School of Law in 2013. While at NIU, I also participated in...

Mr. Sowa was a Special Agent in the Illinois Bureau of Investigation, the State Police agency for investigating narcotics and organized crime, and later became an Assistant State's Attorney in DuPage County. Prominently active in the Kane County Bar, he is a member of its Criminal Law Committee and Courthouse Design Committee, and a lecturer on ethics and criminal law for the Kane County Bar Association Criminal Law Committee Seminars. Mr. Sowa is the past Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee.

Mr. Sowa manages our office in Geneva, handling cases in Kane, DeKalb, Kendall and outlying counties.

Mr. Sowa has extensive experience...

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.

Otto S. Hurtado is an experienced family law attorney. He is certified as a Family Law Mediator and Guardian ad Litem. Mr. Hurtado is a Graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and earned his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois, College of Law. Mr. Hurtado is actively involved in the Kane County Bar Association, participating in various activities such as, Ask A Lawyer Day, Lawyer in the Library, volunteer Judge for Mock Trial Competitions, and as a participate the Guardian Ad Litem training. Mr. Hurtado understands that no two cases are alike, and believes in tailoring services specifically for...

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...

Eric J. Blatti was born in the Joliet area and has since remained closely connected with the local community. After graduating from Joliet Township High School, he received his Associate’s Degree in Arts from Joliet Junior College. He continued his education and graduated cum laude from Lewis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Eric then attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI., where he earned his way onto the Dean’s List and was awarded his Juris Doctor in January of 2008. Eric began interning for the Will County Public Defender’s Office in April of 2007....

Born in Chicago, IL. Admitted to Illinois bar, 1995. United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1995. Preparatory education: Loras College, Dubuque, IA (B.A., 1992). Legal education: IIT, Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 1995). Former Will County Assistant State’s Attorney. Member: Illinois State Bar Association, Will County Bar Association, Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association.

Brian has been practicing law in Will County for over 20 years, and handles a variety of legal issues, be they simple, complex or something in between. He is a trial lawyer, with a current focus in the area of workers’ compensation and general civil litigation....

Ms. Bartik has extensive experience in all aspects of family law, including, divorce, parentage, allocation of parental responsibilities, visitation, complex and high asset marital estates, business valuations, relocation, appeals, and post-decree matters. Ms. Bartik recognizes that family law matters are complex and that every family’s situation is different and unique. Ms. Bartik strives to communicate effectively with her clients and develop strategies and goals to meet the individual needs of her clients.

Ms. Bartik practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, Cook and Kendall Counties and is a member of the DuPage County and Illinois State Bar Associations.

Ms. Bartik earned her J.D. from...

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX LAW, INC.

I started my career as a broker and investment advisor. I became interested in the tax laws because helping my clients reduce their taxes was an area that made a huge difference in their future. .

I felt I could help my clients more if I studied the tax laws. I quit my full time job and enrolled in law school where I primarily studied taxation.

After I got my law degree I was helping my clients prepare tax returns and settle tax debts with the IRS. I...

Stacey A. McCullough's career has been focused on the successful defense of the criminally accused in DuPage County for over 20 years. She has firmly established her advocacy skills through hundreds of hearings and trials for offenses ranging from traffic violations to felonies. Stacey's experiences and involvement in the legal community have instilled in her the understanding that each case and client she takes on is unique and important. She reviews all circumstances thoroughly and provides clients with explanations of proceedings, potential challenges, and possible outcomes. Clients can be confident Stacey's representation is personal, honest, respectful and dedicated.

BAR ADMISSIONS

State of...

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...

Terry Heady has over 24 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Heady has vast experience with many different types injury cases including car and motorcycle collisions, trucking accidents, construction site injuries, nursing home cases, medical malpractice cases and wrongful death cases. He has been named as one of the top 100 Trial lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers for the years 2014 through 2020. Mr. Heady also represents employees who have been wrongfully terminated and victims of sexual harassment, race discrimination, violations...

Colin Diamond is an associate attorney at Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers. Colin is a lifelong resident of DuPage County. He was born and raised in Wheaton and attended St. Francis High School. You might say Colin has personal injury law in his genes being the son of a former personal injury attorney. He took his first lessons in representing the victims of negligence while sitting around the dinner table. Along the way, Colin picked up traits that are important to any lawyer fighting on behalf of his clients. He learned that preparation...

Owner and Principal Attorney at DLAW, PC As an attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience, Deanna Aguinaga Walker enjoys the flexibility that having her own law practice gives her. She is able to become personally involved with each of her clients, and she appreciates the opportunity to assist them on a wide range of legal matters. Deanna earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Northern Illinois University School of Law in 1995. Since then, she has dedicated her career to meeting the needs of her clients. When you work with Deanna, you can expect her to provide legal advice...

Mary Beth Szudarek has been a licensed Illinois attorney since 2008 and has practiced exclusively in Family Law. Prior to joining The Law Offices of Janusonis & Szudarek, P.C., Mary worked for Prairie State Legal Services/Will County Legal Assistance Program assisting the less fortunate with their family law issues. Her experience allowed her to counsel hundreds of Family Law clients with legal problems that impacted all areas of their lives. Family law cases so often involve bankruptcy, tax, foreclosure, credit, social security, insurance, and pension issues; Mary's skills and confidence with financial matters brings a unique and aggressive...

If you are looking for assistance creating a will or living trust, or updating an existing estate plan, please contact the Law Offices of Robert J. Varak to start the process. Your convenience and satisfaction are the most important things to me. I will be happy to come to your home during the day or in the evening to make things easier for you, and I am always available directly to answer your questions. I will give you candid, up-front advice about your options, the costs, and what to expect from the experience of making an estate plan....

Michael Lichner received his Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduation, Mr. Lichner joined Teach for America, dedicating the next two years of his life to teaching middle school students in inner-city Houston, Texas. While teaching in Houston, Mr. Lichner earned his Master of Education from the University of St. Thomas. After returning to Chicago to help build a family construction business, Mr. Lichner attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, where he received his Juris Doctor in May of 2010. While attending law...

U.S. Air Force Veteran Michael S. Hopkins has been practicing law in Will and surrounding counties for more than a decade. He is a former prosecutor experienced in both the prosecution and defense of traffic and ordinance offenses, including misdemeanors. He is also well-versed in municipal law and has represented numerous clients in municipal matters, including liquor control, video gaming, planning and zoning, code enforcement, and boards of fire and police commissioners. Currently, Mr. Hopkins is accepting new clients in traffic, municipal, and general practice matters, including evictions.

In his free time, Michael is an avid motorcyclist and runner. ...

Scott A. Kent, a native of Western Pennsylvania, has been a partner at Martin & Kent, L.L.C. for more than two years. Prior to attending law school, he graduated Cum Laude from Northern Illinois University. Shortly thereafter, he earned his Juris Doctorate from the DePaul University College of Law in 1994. While in law school, Mr. Kent gravitated to the field of criminal law, even working as an intern with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ever since, he dedicated his professional career to criminal law.

His experience in the field of criminal law has earned him a place in the...

Attorney Timothy Weiler is a Partner with Weiler & Associates, Inc. concentrating his practice in family law. He is a graduate of the American Bar Association Section of Family Law National Institute for Trial Advocacy as well as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Institute for Family Law Associates. Tim has been a featured speaker at several Kane County Bar events. He also argued, and won, In re Marriage of Tiballi before the Illinois Supreme Court. Tim received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa in 2002. He received his Juris Doctor in 2012 from the...

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...

Ron has been a member of several area boards of directors, including the Will Grundy Medical Clinic and the St. Raymond School Athletic Board. Ron, along with his wife Kim, a Will County Assistant State's Attorney, are members of the Cathedral of St. Raymond Parish and are heavily involved with Joliet Catholic Academy, where their two children attend high school.

Ron has represented petitioners before the Illinois Industrial Commission for the past 18 years and has represented applicants for Social Security Disability benefits for over 24 years. He prides himself on achieving maximum results for his clients under the law. He...

Jacob J. Frost practices in the areas of estate/trust administration, residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales, business organizations, governmental law, and wills and trusts. Attorney Frost has served and represented clients in the Illinois Valley area for several years. Frost earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, with high honors in Legal Research and Writing. He received his Associate of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Illinois Valley Community College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was admitted to both Phi Beta Kappa...

Rob is a Partner at The Collins Law Firm, chairing its Banking & Financial Department. Rob focuses his practice on the representation of financial institutions and corporate clients in commercial banking and real estate litigation and transactions. Rob also serves as special counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rob is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also litigated in the federal and state courts of Virginia, Texas, California, Indiana and Wisconsin. Rob's representative clients include:...

Mr. Marker founded Marker & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. in 2013 to focus on helping people injured at work or by the negligence of others. In 2018, he joined with esteemed attorney Jonathan Crannell to form Marker & Crannell. Mr. Marker spent his early years as a workers' compensation defense attorney. In 2004 Jason Marker began representing injury victims and leveraged the insight gleaned from his experience as a defense practitioner to help his seriously injured clients recover for their injuries. Since then, Mr. Marker has recovered millions of dollars for his clients and tried cases...

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,...

Chicago attorney focusing on helping people who have suffered injuries in truck or motor vehicle crashes. I also represents individuals involved in workers compensation claims, people who have not been treated fairly by their own insurance company, and people who have been wrongfully or unlawfully fired by their employers.

Julia A. Pucci, managing partner with Pucci Pirtle, focuses her practice in the areas of divorce and custody litigation. Ms. Pucci attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois where she received a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Sociology and Political Science. Ms. Pucci subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri. During her law school career, Julia taught legal research and writing as a teaching assistant and was also active in the mediation clinic where she obtained her mediation certification. As a certified mediator, she mediated court-ordered child custody matters and...

I have dedicated my practice to family law matters since 2007. I am a certified mediator and a fellow of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. I help people who want to work through their uncontested divorce with the guidance of legal counsel so they get it right the first time. I work diligently and efficiently to help my clients obtain the best possible outcome in their cases.

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...

Ben Schneider is a client focused which means that it is important to him to cultivate a personal relationship with each of his clients. By doing this, he is able to give each new client’s case individual attention and analyze every legal issue thoroughly and completely.

Ben Schneider acts as the one of the principal bankruptcy attorneys for Schneider & Stone where he focuses on individual Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings as well as business Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 filings. Ben also practices in the areas of family law and litigation and is the point attorney for divorce and...