Silvis Lawyers

Dennis VanDerGinst is the President/CEO of VanDerGinst Law, one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the country. He has been a tireless advocate for his clients and a stalwart ambassador for his profession. As a result, he has been recognized as one of the best in the country by clients, peers, and other professionals.

Dennis received his law degree from DePaul University in Chicago. He is licensed to practice in Illinois, Iowa, and the federal courts. During his career he has represented clients in almost every state of the country. The focus of his practice has been on...

Jake Oeth grew up in Ogden, IA, a small town north of Des Moines and west of Ames. He graduated from Drake University Law School with honors in May 2018. While in law school, Jake was a part of a group of students who helped a federal inmate successfully apply for a commutation of his life sentence for a drug conviction and served as a student attorney in the Drake Legal Clinic representing court appointed criminal defendants. After graduating from law school, he worked at a small firm representing commercial real estate clients before joining the team at VanDerGinst Law.

Jake...

Clarissa Rietveld was born in Iowa and raised in Rushville, Indiana. She received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 2009 and worked as a registered nurse in operating rooms across the Midwest and on the East Coast. While working as a nurse, Ms. Rietveld had a patient whose medical history documented that he did not have regular access to food and was starving. Ms. Rietveld spent the afternoon working with hospital social services to arrange for her patient to gain access to regular meals and was shocked to learn that he didn’t qualify for any of the available programs. She...

C. Eric Bodo grew up in Mundelein, Illinois, and attended Carmel High School in the northern suburbs. Eric graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1996 and was admitted to the Illinois Bar.

Before coming to VanDerGinst Law, Eric was a partner in his own firm with offices in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois where he represented seriously injured individuals and their families. Before starting his firm in 2014, Eric worked for a large, high-volume personal injury firm...

Athena Farmakis was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, graduated with a B.A. from Northwestern University, and received her law degree from DePaul University College of law. With over 25 years of litigation experience, Athena has tried 67 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials in complex and media-sensitive cases. Athena currently practices in all areas of personal injury including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, construction accidents, animal attacks, negligent security, wrongful death, nursing home abuse and medical malpractice.

As a former prosecutor, Athena dedicated much of her legal career to serving the public for over 20 years...

Dustin Gomez was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Iowa. At the University of Iowa, he also completed a M.S.W. degree in social work. After completing his graduate degree, he attended law school at Drake University.

Upon completing his degree in Law, Dustin served for three years as Assistant County Attorney at the Webster County Attorney’s Office in Fort Dodge, IA. He has also worked in Black Hawk and Dubuque County Attorney’s offices. Dustin has tried 10 jury trials and over 50 bench trials on various criminal offenses.

Upon leaving prosecution,...

Ray recieved his J.D. at Northwestern University in 1974 and M.B.A. at Northwestern University in 1972 with a B.A. at California State, L.A. in 1968. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Rock Island County Bar Association.

Former Public Administrator of Rock Island County

Former Public Guardian of Rock Island County

HUD Foreclosure Commissioner

Defending client for 26 years in State and Federal Courts. Member of National College for DUI Defense and Graduate of DUI Harvard Session. Certified Field Sobriety Expert. Certified Breath Machine Operator for Datamaster and Intoxillyzer. Advanced Blood and Urine seminar graduate. Suppression of more than 3000 lbs of contraband as Henry County Drug Trafficing Defense Attorney. Success defense of hundreds of DUI and OWI cases in Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Whiteside, Scott, Muscatine, Johnson, and Clinton Counties in Iowa and Illinois. Successful defense in Federal Court where possession and trafficking of...

We help people throughout the greater Quad Cities area, including Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Davenport, Bettendorf, and surrounding areas. For a free personal injury, criminal defense, or family law case evaluation, please call (563) 265-1714.

Melissa has been with Snyder, Park, Nelson & Schwiebert, PC as Of Counsel since June 2010. Her practice focuses on Elder Law & Long-Term Care Planning, Disability Planning and Estate Planning. She received her J.D. from Southern Illinois University College of Law in 1993 after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology at Illinois State University in 1990. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a Veterans Administration Accredited Attorney. She was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and Iowa in 1994 (currently inactive)....

Bill Gullberg is an experienced litigator in a range of legal matters. In addition to being licensed to practice law in Illinois, Bill is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the federal district bar of the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and the federal trial bar of the Northern District of Illinois. The difference Bill brings to the case is a passion for representing the rights, freedom, and property of his clients. Experience and professionalism is one thing - experience and professionalism with a true passion and focus for achieving a just and...

John R. Rehn is the compassionate and skilled Galesburg personal injury attorney at Rehn Law LLC. Since graduating from Notre Dame Law School, John has always been passionate about helping others. In the last two decades of his career, he has been representing clients dealing with a broad spectrum of personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, work injuries, premises liabilities, and more. What makes John different from other lawyers is his extensive experience and dedication to each client. He is also responsive and answers every phone call or email with urgency. To secure his representation, call Rehn Law LLC.

Stephany L. Impson received her law degree from the University of Illinois. In addition, she has an MBA with emphases in Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University, is a certified Illinois Administrative Adjudicator, and has certification as a Family Law Mediator.

For over three decades, Stephany worked in the title insurance industry. For much of that time, she was a national underwriting counsel. In that capacity, she underwrote and closed transactions for commercial and industrial properties located in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. In the four years...

Justin is a partner and chief executive officer of the firm working primarily out of our Kewanee office. Justin graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2007 and was hired on with Barash and Everett as an associate thereafter. He is a veteran of the United States navy where he served as a Sonar Technician on the Submarine, USS Nevada SSBN 733. BORN: Decatur, Illinois. ADMITTED TO BAR: 2007, Illinois. EDUCATION: Southern Illinois University (B.A., 2004); Southern Illinois University School of Law (J.D., 2007). MEMBER: American Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Henry County...

I am a unique Illinois lawyer who represents individuals, consumers and small business owners. I have two office locations to better serve you--one in downtown Chicago and one just outside Peoria. If you have been seriously injured, physically or monetarily I am here to help you. I handle sexual harassment cases as well as personal injury cases, including wrongful death cases, throughout the state of Illinois. I can help you through the complex legal system. My priority is client satisfaction. Unlike most attorneys I am available seven days a week and can work around your schedule.

I am...

Rob became licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, one of only approximately 340 attorneys in the U.S. and Canada. According to their website, members are experts in the complexities of adoption law and the variety of interstate and international regulations surrounding adoption*, and must maintain their practice according to the highest standards of ethics, competence and professionalism. Rob is also a member of the Peoria County Bar Association, chairing and assisting in a number of committees; the American Bar Association; and a Barrister in the...

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...

Michigan State University School of Law, East Lansing, Michigan
Juris Doctorate

John Marshall School of Law, Chicago Illinois
LLM (Law of Masters Candidate) Real Estate Law

Argosy University, Chicago Illinois
Doctorate of Business Administration, International Business
Published Dissertation

Robert Morris University, Chicago, Illinois
Master in Business Administration, Concentration Management

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
Bachelor of Arts, Administration of Justice, Minor: Sociology

LAW LICENSES:

Illinois
Northern District of Illinois
Central District Court of Illinois
Southern District Court of Illinois
United States Tax Court

I am an attorney who is passionate about my profession and clients. I believe in providing top-notch, innovative, cutting-edge strategies and advice. My clients feel as if they are my only client. ...

I joined Hupy and Abraham as an Associate Attorney in 2015. Prior to joining the firm, I practiced as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. In this role, I prosecuted numerous felony cases.

We help the accused by listening, protecting, preparing and caring.

Since 1993, where the Law Offices of Maureen Williams started in Minneapolis, we have devoted our practice to only criminal defense. You will be asked to be a part of our team, as no one knows the facts better than you. Together we will gather all the evidence, hidden and apparent, the forgotten, and your discoveries. We will not pressure you to plead guilty, and we will brainstorm together to figure out the best course of action: trial or no trial.

Allow us the opportunity to listen to you, work...

Attorney Theisen joined Hupy and Abraham in 2014 as an associate attorney to work in our Rockford office. With more than a decade of experience, he’s handled insurance defense litigation, subrogation and personal injury.

With over 30 years of experience, Andy Hale is a seasoned trial attorney and has been involved in numerous high-profile cases. Mr. Hale started his legal career at a boutique litigation firm in Florida and then later moved back to Chicago and joined the firm Katten Muchin & Zavis as an attorney in the litigation practice group.

In 2008, Mr. Hale started his own firm and his practice focused on defending the City of Chicago and Chicago police officers in civil rights cases, as well as commercial litigation matters.

In 2019, Mr. Hale joined forces with Brian T. Monico, a...

Todd is the Senior Partner of Kanoski Bresney. He is also the Senior Trial Attorney who manages the complex litigation division of the law firm. Kanoski Bresney was established over 40 years ago and is a full service personal injury law firm that has 8 central Illinois office locations and a litigation practice that spans throughout the State of Illinois.

He has worked at the Federal Trade Commission and the States Attorney for Cook County. However, he spent the majority of his early career in Chicago representing and defending some of the largest insurers and corporations in the country.

Since 2002,...

Attorney Manicioto's has dealt with both insurance matters and personal injury law. Before becoming a lawyer at Hupy & Abraham, he tried dozens of jury trials to verdict and won. He has also arbitrated a large number of cases. He works tirelessly to seek compensation for the firm's clients. Attorney Manicioto was promoted to company shareholder in 2019.

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.

Jeffrey R. Hall has practiced law since 2004, concentrating in the area of Criminal Law, DUI/DWI and Traffic Law. He began working as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County, IL. Prior to that service, Mr. Hall worked as an intern/clerk at the venerable law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs, LLC where he handled matters in Real Estate and Business. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, Mr. Hall prosecuted in the traffic and misdemeanor divisions, as well as the Felony Traffic Division. Mr. Hall gained experience as an aggressive trial attorney winning most of his...

Bill was born and raised in Peoria, IL. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. degree in Government. He received his law degree (JD) at the University of Iowa graduating with honors. He has been practicing law in Central Illinois since his graduation and admission into the Illinois Bar. Legal ability and ethical standards ratings are published each year by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.Bill has the highest possible rating of AV. The legal ability rating is "A" which means he is rated as very high to preeminent. The "V" rating means that he embraces faithful adherence...

A lifelong resident of Illinois, John Waldman raised his family in the Pekin/Peoria area, where he resides today. John attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, graduating with University Honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Paralegal Studies. He began practicing law after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1988.

After law school, John began working for a law firm that primarily did work for insurance companies, defending personal injury and workers' compensation claims. Trying to save insurance companies money at the expense of innocent accident victims was not very rewarding. He joined Kanoski Bresney in...