Rankin Lawyers

Concentrating in helping and defending people accused of crimes, DUI and traffic offenses. Aggressive.

Zealous representation of private and court appointed clients in trial and appellate
courts. Practice includes crimes such as homicide, assault, drug distribution, drug
possession, fraud, DUI, Home Invasion, Sex Offenses and traffic tickets; Jury trials,
bench trials, and contested motions dispositive of the case; Research, draft, file and
serve Appellate briefs, Petitions for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois State Supreme Court,
Post Conviction and 2-1401 petitions for trial courts; Oral Arguments before the Illinois
State Appellate Court, Second Judicial District.

Following in his father’s footsteps as a legal advocate, Springfield personal injury lawyer James Ackerman established his practice in 1989.

Our approach to the law and to meeting our clients' needs comes from Jim Ackerman's belief that clients are best served when they are fully informed and engaged in every aspect of their case. Jim is a former prosecutor who handles injury claims and who coaches other attorneys on the finer points of case preparation, taking a case to trial, and the art of handling juries. Jim brings years of legal and courtroom experience to bear on every case.

Jim Ackerman...

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.

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. Patrick brings years of experience in both law and business, equipping him with the skills needed to build strong cases and negotiate favorable outcomes for his clients. Additionally, he has served as a legal clerk for the Arbitrators of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Founder of Front Door Legal LLC, Justin Strane focuses his practice primarily on commercial and residential real estate transactions, and estate planning. His firm is located in Chicago, and he provides representation to people and businesses throughout the greater metropolitan area. In addition to his real estate practice, Justin handles a variety of other types of business matters for his clients, and he is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Justin attended the University of Michigan, where he studied political science and music and received a Bachelor of Arts in...

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...

Connor is a founding partner of Jackson LLP, an entrepreneurial health law firm. He focuses his practice on the business side of healthcare law, which aligns with his detail-orientation, strong problem-solving skills, and business background.

Connor enjoys working with clients to create their ideal practice environment and build a strong compliance foundation that supports long-term success. He strives to not just counsel, but educate his clients on key laws and regulations, giving them the tools to make legally prudent decisions moving forward.

Connor earned his undergraduate business degree from Oregon State University and worked in the real estate sector. He then graduated...

Merrill K. Davis is an Attorney at The Davis Law Group, P.C. Ms. Davis received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in Legal Studies. Ms. Davis received her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award and the Prosser award for the highest grade in torts. She also served on Loyola University Chicago Law Journal as a Senior Editor. During law school, Ms. Davis gained valuable experience as a law clerk at a personal injury and worker’s compensation firm in Chicago. ...

Levin & Perconti welcomed Andrew (A.J.) Thut as an associate attorney in July 2013. Prior to his hiring, A.J. worked at a Waukegan personal injury firm where he prepared and handled all types of injury and malpractice cases from pre-suit investigation through trial.

A.J. brings with him experience and a passion for serving clients who have been seriously injury or killed as a result of negligence. “My father practiced as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney in suburban Chicago, and from an early age I knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” recalls A.J. “During law school, I spent two...

Erin is a healthcare attorney and Firmwide Managing Partner of Jackson LLP, a client-centered law firm that offers healthcare providers a comprehensive, full-service solution. Erin focuses on practice start-up and compliance and also spearheads the firm’s healthcare consulting services. In addition, Erin serves as the President of the nonprofit organization Inspire Santé. Because of her healthcare knowledge and patient experience, Erin is a sought-after speaker. She is passionate about creating positive change in healthcare and teaching individuals how to advocate for their needs within the medical system.

Erin was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she graduated from...

Richard Ian Conner graduated from Western Illinois University in 2010, where he earned a Bachelor in Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Business. He obtained his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2014. While in law school, he put specific emphasis on assisting low-income and senior residents of central and southern Illinois through the not-for profit corporation Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and the SIU Self-Help Legal Center.

Ian is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, and he has a strong desire to provide quality legal advocacy and support to all...

Matt devotes 100% of his practice to representing plaintiffs in product liability, medical malpractice and other personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

Aleah Severin is a dedicated Associate Attorney focusing on Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Nursing Home cases. With a fervent commitment to advocating for victims and their families, Aleah has devoted her career to ensuring their loved ones receive the justice they deserve. Aleah’s academic journey began at DePaul University, where she graduated in 2010. She further pursued her passion for law and graduated from The John Marshall Law School in 2015. In law school, she focused on medical malpractice, taking a course in Medical Negligence and receiving a Health Law certificate. Aleah’s dedication to her profession is reflected not...

Recognized for his national reputation and success as a child advocate, Dov Apfel has investigated and litigated birth trauma and obstetrical malpractice claims involving children with cerebral palsy and other neurological and intellectual disabilities throughout the United States for over forty years. Mr. Apfel’s lifetime of achievements in birth injury litigation, education and advocacy was recognized by the Executive Board of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice in 2011, an organization consisting of thousands of trial lawyers throughout the United States, when he received the Dan Cullan Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award. Judges, too, have recognized Mr....

Isabela Bacidore joined Levin & Perconti as a law clerk in May 2018 and was later promoted to associate attorney in January 2021. Ms. Bacidore's legal practice is primarily focused on cases involving birth injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse. Isabela's journey at Levin & Perconti began while she was a first-year law student. Ms. Bacidore has stated that "At Levin & Perconti, we are able to give a voice to the voiceless and on behalf of the most vulnerable populations." A review from one of her past clients highlights her dedication: "Isabela Bacidore worked very hard on my daughter's...

Abby Marshall joined Levin & Perconti as a law clerk in September 2018 and was hired as an associate attorney in January 2021. She focuses her practice on nursing home cases, medical malpractice and other personal injury matters. While attending the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Abby was involved in the Women’s Law Society and the Business Law Society. She also wrote articles for the Journal of Regulatory Compliance, a Loyola publication. Abby received her bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from the University of Iowa. Following her graduation, Abby completed her social work practicum at the DuPage County Probation...

Steven A. Sigmond has been representing injured people in and around Chicago for over 30 years in personal injury cases, workers compensation cases and social security disability claims. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1985, Steven A. Sigmond returned to his hometown of Chicago, where he spent the next four years working with law firms in and around the city, gaining important professional experience. In 1989, Mr. Sigmond founded his own practice, the Law Office of Steven A. Sigmond. Since then, he has represented thousands of clients in personal injury and workers compensation...

Mr. Dinizulu was born in Washington D.C., and after graduating from high school in Queens, New York, Mr. Dinizulu attended Florida A& M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he graduated magna cum laude. While at Florida A&M University, Mr. Dinizulu was a member of Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities; the National Dean’s List, the Golden Key National Honor Society, Founder of the Collegiate Democratic Caucus of Florida, Student Government Association Student Senate, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, and campus spokesperson for the Television and Radio broadcast of the NAACP Speaks. After graduating from Florida A&M University, Mr. Dinizulu...

Mr. Passen is a personal injury attorney at Chicago-based Passen Law Group. Mr. Passen concentrates in all areas of personal injury, including truck accidents, brain and spinal cord injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death. Prior to joining Passen Law Group, Mr. Passen was an attorney in the litigation department of Jenner & Block LLP. Mr. Passen received his B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Economics from the University of Michigan in 2002. Mr. Passen obtained his law degree, summa cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law in 2006, where he graduated Order of the Coif. ...

Carla M. Casas-Torres has been practicing law since 2002 and currently focuses her practice on immigration and nationality law. A native of Peru, she immigrated to the United States in 1980. Having personally experienced the difficulties of the immigration system, she has a unique perspective when handling immigration matters and an intimate understanding of the struggles her clients face. It is because of her own immigrant experience that she chose to focus her practice on immigration law. Carla feels fortunate for the opportunity to pursue her goals in the United States and is passionate about helping...

Maxine Weiss Kunz is a Founding Member and Partner of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC and has been practicing 100% family law since 2005, including traditional litigation, adoptions, and collaborative law. She is certified for appointment as a Child Representative or Guardian ad Litem in Cook County. She is also certified to practice collaborative law in Illinois. Maxine is on the board of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and a certified mediator through the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Cook County courts.

Maxine received her undergraduate degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she double-majored in Psychology and Telecommunications. She earned her...

Steven N. Peskind has reinvented Illinois Family Law. Mr. Peskind believes that a successful divorce results from the intersection of three competencies: legal skill, positive decision making, and financial analysis. As a result, he has compiled a team of highly trained professionals dedicated to helping our clients achieve that success. The lawyers at Peskind Law Firm are skilled negotiators, legal analysts, problem solvers and courtroom advocates. Mr. Peskind is one of only 100 lawyers in the nation elected as a Diplomate to the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an honor society reflecting accomplishments in Family...

I joined Hupy and Abraham in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, I spent time doing insurance defense, product liability, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, and slip and fall cases. I was born and raised in the Rockford area and am happy to serve the community I grew up in.

We are rooted in Montgomery County with two offices to better serve the area. Our firm handles many cases in the surrounding counties (Macoupin, Bond, Fayette, Christian, and Shelby County) as well. We have experience handling many areas of law, including personal injury (car wrecks/dog bites/slip or trip & falls/wrongful deaths/malpractice), traffic/DUI/criminal defense cases, bankruptcy, family law (custody/child support/adoption/divorce), estate planning (wills/POAs/trusts), and estate administration (non-probate and probate), and general civil practice. I grew up Nokomis (Montgomery County), where my family and I reside. My degrees are from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Thomas M. Cooley...

I pride myself on being a tenacious advocate for my clients. I am a real trial lawyer and will fight to get my clients favorable results, whether that means taking a case to trial or not. I always have my clients best interest at heart and will be transparent about the expected outcome of the case. I take the time to look at the case and evidence from every angle, so no detail is spared. My clients like working with me because of my track record, they know I will fight for them.

Matthew B. Karchmar is a partner at Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. with over 25 years of experience practicing in personal injury and wrongful death. Dealing with personal injuries and holding liable parties accountable can be difficult, but Matthew is here to alleviate the stress and ensure that his clients are fully compensated for the ways their lives have been affected. For a FREE consultation, contact Matthew online or call 312-977-1300.

Agnes (Zielinski) Olechno combines her skill as a courtroom litigator, her experience as a child advocate, and her compassion for families in transition to advocate for her clients and their families. Agnes graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2010 where she received two Bachelor of Arts degree’s Magna Cum Laude in Political Science and International Studies, and a Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude in Criminal Justice. As recipient of Loyola’s Civitas Child Law Fellowship and the Child and Family Law Certificate, Agnes received her law degree (J.D.) Cum Laude from Loyola University School of Law in 2013....

Bridget Lawler is an experienced and knowledgeable Attorney at Lawler & Lawler Injury Law Firm. Her practice areas include Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation, as well as Motor Vehicle Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents, Dog Bites, and Wrongful Death.

Bridget received her B.A. from St. Louis University, and her J.D. from Southern Illinois University Law School. She was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and in Kentucky in 2001. Bridget is a member of the Illinois State Bar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Inns of Court. In addition, she was Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell in 2017....

P.K. Johnson V, born in 1970, gained admission to the Illinois Bar in 1995 and the Missouri Bar in 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Illinois in 1992 and attained his Juris Doctor degree with honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1995. During his leisure hours, P.K. finds joy in quality time with his wife and two sons, indulging in golf, and exploring new destinations. Beyond his personal pursuits, P.K. contributes actively as a member of the Swansea, Illinois Board of Police Commissioners and holds a position on the Wolf Branch School District...

Joel Beckwith obtained his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2009, where he studied philosophy and political science. He later attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he obtained his law degree. As a student in his third year of law school his legal commentary was selected and published in the Journal of Legal Medicine. He has since practiced in the areas of personal injury, insurance defense, class actions and traffic law. He is an experienced jury trial lawyer. Mr. Beckwith is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Missouri, and is a current associate attorney at Rynearson,...

Since my time in law school I have dedicated my legal career to serving, protecting and enforcing the rights of individuals harmed through the carelessness of others. I have tried cases throughout the counties of southern Illinois, before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and argued successfully before the Illinois Appellate Courts. Regardless of the size of any given case, my full attention, effort and care is put into all the work I do. I understand that whatever situation the client comes into our office with, it is very important and the source of significant stress and anxiety. I ensure...

Attorney Morgan has been practicing law since 2001. He worked in the state attorney's office before working for a local law firm and then starting his own practice. He grew up in southern Wisconsin and received his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University. Attorney Morgan is licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois.

Tim Mahoney is the principal attorney at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC. As a lawyer specializing in personal injury, he has covered many injury types, ranging from motor vehicle accidents like car, motorcycle, and truck accidents to nursing home abuse and neglect. Tim Mahoney’s decades of experience can help your claim succeed. After graduating from St. Ambrose University in 1989, Tim Mahoney pursued a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law. There, he was the third person to be inducted into the Moot Court Hall of Fame. He graduated in 1992. While attorney Tim Mahoney has practiced in many...

Philip A. Nicolosi provides guidance to startups, small and closely held businesses, medium sized businesses, non-profit organizations and individual business owners with a variety of matters. Mr. Nicolosi provides his client’s with the benefit of almost 15 years of experience, well-grounded upon core business organization, corporate, transactional, financial and e-commerce related legal matters. He is a trusted adviser to his clients and is routinely relied upon to provide sound and invaluable legal counsel for their businesses, both during the startup phase and continuing through each phase of growth. Mr. Nicolosi's ability to strategically plan for the long-term growth and preservation...

Sara Dady has been practicing family based immigration including visas for victims of domestic violence and other crimes, citizenship, asylum law as well as deportation defense for over 13 years. She owns Dady Law Group LLC in Rockford, Illinois and is a board member of Justice for Our Neighbors of Northern Illinois (JFON) which provides high quality, free immigration legal services. In 2018 she made an unsuccessful but satisfying bid for Congress. She is a 4-H alumna and actively volunteers with U of I Extension in Winnebago County. Sara graduated with a BA in Classical Studies and Political Science...

Mary Cole is a Criminal Defense Attorney based in Gurnee, IL. She is currently a managing partner at Brady Cole Trial Lawyers and has experience handling cases involving DUIs, Domestic Battery, and Orders of Protection. Attorney Cole is a great choice for your criminal defense case because she has experience as a prosecuting attorney, which has given her a deep understanding of both sides of the courtroom. To schedule your free consultation with the Criminal Defense Attorney, visit her website or call 847-752-9639.

Over a decade ago, I embarked on my professional journey with a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of my clients and the community I call home. This unwavering dedication remains the cornerstone of my practice, and I eagerly anticipate many more years of service to my cherished neighbors and friends. My roots trace back to Libertyville, where I completed my educational milestones at Copeland Manor, Highland Jr. High, and eventually graduated from Libertyville High School in 1997. I pursued higher education at Miami University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Business with a specialization in Marketing. During my college years,...

Attorney Michael J. Salvi is a Lake Zurich attorney that handles personal injury and commercial litigation. Since 1984, he has been serving clients in areas such as wrongful death, slip and fall, nursing home negligence and more. With his extensive experience, he has successfully tried hundreds of cases including trials and hearings in various courts. His experience has given him the skills to be able to secure many million dollar settlements and awards for his clients. To schedule a free consultation with the Lake County personal injury attorney, call 847-796-8448 or visit their website.