Essex Business Lawyers

John A. Sopuch III, a trial lawyer with a history of winning some of the nation’s biggest verdicts, has joined The Collins Law Firm as Of Counsel.

In 2002, the National Law Journal recognized John’s nearly $43 million verdict (in Miami Cigar v. UST, et al., a business fraud case) as among the top 100 verdicts in the nation that year. In 2004, John did it again, with his $30 million verdict in a breach of contract case, Basic Capital Management Inc. v. Dynex Commercial, Inc.

Hailing from St. Louis, MO, John was born on March 21, 1965. Attending prep school at...

High-Stakes Litigation - Business Disputes - Franchise Litigation

I represent individuals and companies in high-stakes lawsuits, business and investment disputes, and franchise matters. I trained at a top global law firm where I practiced complex commercial litigation for a decade. I practice now at a boutique law firm where I help entrepreneurs and small businesses with their most important "bet the company" matters.

My practice includes:
- Contract disputes
- Fraud cases
- Franchising and dealer terminations and regulatory compliance
- Securities & commodities litigation / enforcement and...

Kathryn Whitacre is a Partner at Whitacre & Stefanczuk LTD where she practices in the areas of Real Estate Law, Business Law, Family Law and Estate Planning. Kathryn received her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2011 and her B.A. in Business from Bowling Green State University in 2006. Kathryn is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Kathryn C. Rolewick was admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2013. She had worked as a Trust Administrative Officer for U.S. Trust, Bank of America, N.A. since graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2013. She joined Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C., the firm founded by her father, David Rolewick, in 2016. Kathryn's areas of practice include estate planning, wealth management, probate estates, contracts, and general corporate and business structures.

Rolewick attended Boston College where she graduated cum laude from the Honors Program in 2004. She is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the...

After 8 years defending employers with a respected Chicago defense firm, Arik started Hetue Law, P.C. with a mission of helping people navigate the legal issues surrounding starting and growing their businesses as an outside general counsel, and protecting their finances and families via proper estate planning.

Arik is a skilled business law attorney, with experience in risk management, HR planning, business entity formation, corporate dispute resolution, technology planning, technology licensing agreements, and has enjoyed outside general counsel status to a variety of small businesses and technology start ups. He is also an experienced estate planning attorney,...

William P. Boznos is the founding attorney of Boznos Law. He brings a unique 360 degree perspective to its advice and advocacy. He has served as in house senior counsel for a Fortune 500 Company for over a decade. In addition, he has served as Director of Human Resources and Vice President of Human Resources for both privately held and large publicly held companies for years, including Harrah’s Casinos, the largest gaming operation in the world. This unique background gave him an unprecedented access to company CEO’s, human resources departments, and the corporate insight you need. He has represented both...

With 25 years’ experience, Vince provides his clients with a diverse skill set for advising on and resolving most legal issues. As an experienced trial attorney, Vince advises his clients on how to resolve conflicts before litigation; yet, when a lawsuit is filed, Vince transitions to the role as staunch advocate, having been involved in a diverse array of cases related to business disputes, non-compete/non-solicitation claims, business dissolution and accountings, construction defect, mechanic’s lien and breach of contract claims, estate planning and probate matters, and municipal and pension hearings. Vince has conducted more than 100 jury and bench trials, involving...

I founded Corporate & Estate Legal Services, Ltd. to focus on business contracts, commercial litigation, estate planning and probate cases. I have decades of experience handling civil litigation and commercial contracts. I represent both plaintiffs and defendants. I have a broad spectrum approach to B2B litigation. I can negotiate deals, document agreements, litigate, pursue post judgment collection, and prosecute or defend judgments on appeal. I was a scholastic debater in high school and college. I am very comfortable with contract litigation, declaratory judgments, decedent's estates, and business torts. My experience affords me the luxury of handling all phases...

Margaret Galka joined the Collins Law Firm in 2018 as an associate attorney. She focuses her practice in environmental litigation and personal injury.

Margaret graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vermont Law School, where she concentrated on environmental and energy law. While attending law school, Margaret worked as a clinician in the Environment and Natural Resources Law Clinic and clerked for a prominent law firm in Burlington, Vermont. Margaret also served as a Co-Chair of the Women's Law Group and as an editor of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

Prior to law school, Margaret graduated from the University of Vermont with a...

Jonathan David Herpy, Sr. has been named one of the top private equity and corporate attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40 by Chicago Magazine in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Jonathan has represented investors, sponsors, and managers of public and private pension plans, broker-dealers, investment advisers, custodians, and other financial industry service providers throughout the entire range of the investment spectrum and routinely provides market-leading advice on public/private offerings of equity and debt along with capital raising strategy.
In addition to the above, Jonathan has been touted as an industry leader for his sophisticated and efficient approach to structuring...

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...

About Attorney Douglas Boodt I received my law degree from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago and have been practicing law since 1999. Prior to attending law school, I built and managed a small business for ten years. I established my law practice in 1999 to provide professional and committed legal representation in the legal fields of Estate Planning and Business Law. I have assisted hundreds of clients in reaching their goals and giving them peace of mind by handling their legal affairs with integrity, respect and intelligence. I will listen to you and assist you in building a...

Mr. Sosin is a Partner in the firm Sosin, Arnold & Schoenbeck Ltd. A 1972 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law, he has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Illinois. David Sosin has served as Village Attorney for the Village of Crestwood, Illinois for over a decade, and practices in all areas of auto dealership representation, real estate law, and zoning law. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

David Sosin was elected to the Illinois State Bar Association's College of Laureates in 2011, joining a select group of...

A gifted personal injury lawyer, Ed excels in understanding the facts and law concerning how a client was injured, and in developing a legal strategy to win just compensation. He is passionate about representing injured people who are at a low point in their lives and need legal help. A lawyer since 1992, Ed has won numerous verdicts and favorable settlements for his clients. In the past fifteen years, he has recovered over $100 million dollars. He has represented clients in the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, Illinois state courts and federal courts throughout the country.

Ed has...

Ted Donner (Attorney) started his legal studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1987 after a ten-year stint as the box office manager of The Second City in Chicago. His professional experience since then includes work as a law clerk for Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., a summer internship at Welsh & Katz, Ltd., and work as an associate with Rock, Fusco, Reynolds & Garvey, Ltd. Before opening Donner & Company Law Offices LLC, he was an Associate and then Of Counsel to the litigation practice group at Altheimer & Gray, where his practice was concentrated in insurance...

James J. Laraia is an energetic, well-rounded attorney with knowledge and experience in family law, civil, and criminal matters. He routinely practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, DeKalb, and Kendall counties. After obtaining his B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College in 1997, Mr. Laraia went on to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Northern Illinois University in 2001. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney and then went into private practice in 2003.

Mr. Laraia focuses his practice in family law and civil litigation and has experience handling matrimonial law, child custody and child support issues, post-decree petitions, adoptions, and parentage cases. He...

Ethan White is a cum laude graduate of Northwestern University School of Law with more than a decade of pure litigation experience. Ethan’s practice focuses on counseling clients and litigating commercial and employment-related matters, with near daily courtroom experience in both state and federal courts. In addition, he frequently appears before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Humans Rights, the Illinois Department of Labor, and various mediation forums. Ethan has tried cases in DuPage County, Cook County, and the Northern District of Illinois and has litigated matters in nearly every other county in the Chicagoland area.

In addition...

David F. Rolewick graduated from Loyola University School of Law in 1971. He worked as a clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Daniel Ward, then as Assistant Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. He has been in private practice since 1979.

He has served in numerous positions in the Illinois State Bar Association and has served as Chairman of the Hearing Board, Review Board and Vice Chair of Commission for Attorney Registration and Discipline of the Illinois Supreme Court. In 2001, he was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as Chairman of the Special Supreme Court Committee...

David is also well-respected in the legal community. For example, he was named an Illinois “Rising Star” attorney by Law and Politics Magazine during 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. He also received a 5.0 out of 5.0 “preeminent” ranking from Martindale Hubbell. David has, on several occasions, lectured at educational seminars for lawyers and other professionals. He has moderated a continuing legal education panel of federal magistrates and judges on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, he has presented before the Illinois State Bar Association on electronic discovery rules, and he testified before the United States Judicial Conference...

Makedonka Baloski earned a B.A. from Indiana University in 1996 with a double
major in History and Anthropology with a concentration in Eastern
European studies. In 2000, she received a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. She served as an Article Editor for the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Upon admission to the Illinois bar, Makedonka worked in Chicago
mainly focused in civil defense. She is also admitted to practice in Indiana.

John Botti is honored to help clients through challenging times in their lives. John Botti guides clients through difficult and complex legal matters with honesty, compassion, knowledge, and dedication to their cause. As a felony prosecutor, John worked closely with victims of crimes and fought to protect their rights and obtain justice in the courtroom. He uses this perspective to create exceptional attorney-client relationships. This serves him extremely well when he represents divorce clients as well as those people seriously injured as a result of someone else’s misconduct. John has tried hundreds of cases before judges and juries and...

Axel R. Cerny grew up in the DuPage County community, attending Wheaton Academy in West Chicago. Following graduation in 2006, Axel attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/ Journalism studies in 2010. From there, Axel returned to the area to study at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 2013, and after passing the bar exam was promptly hired to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State’s Attorney. There he worked for two years under DuPage County State’s Attorney, Bob Berlin, prosecuting...

Don has been representing businesses and entrepeneurs in the Chicago metropolitan area since beginning his practice in 1975. He has experience advising individuals on the formation of their businesses, and the legal issues involved in operation of their businesses. This includes the drafting of corporate business formation documents, buy-sell agreements, LLC operating agreements, partnership agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment contracts, and business agreements in a variety of contexts. He has served as general outside counsel to businesses in the travel industry, construction industry, manufacturing industry, medical industry, and many other types of service industries. He is a great resource...

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...

Fred is a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel, an honor bestowed upon very few attorneys. He focuses in the areas of estate and tax planning, trust, estate and probate administration, and business structuring and counseling. Fred enjoys helping people accomplish their personal goals. He has an extensive background assisting clients in the transfer of small businesses and farms during their lifetime or at death while minimizing taxes and expenses. Many of his estate plans are sophisticated and involve using wills, trusts, limited liability companies, family limited partnerships and other closely held entities. He has...

Attorney Kelly Karczmar graduated from the University of Chicago with honors in 1994. She graduated from the John Marshall Law School in 2005, where she served in the Fair Housing Legal Clinic. Ms. Karczmar served for six years as a Human Resources Director in a Fortune 100 company. She was responsible for union negotiations, employee relations and legal compliance. Ms. Karczmar is an attorney admitted to practice in the state bar of Illinois, as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She has practiced law since 2005. She is a member of...

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Gilmartin Legal is committed to giving each client complete attention. To us, there is no such thing as a small issue. We treat each and every case with care and individualized attention. Every client is important, and we make sure to treat each and every case with respect and thoroughness. When you bring your legal matter to Gilmartin Legal, you can feel confident...

Dallas was raised in Charleston, Illinois where he was close to his Alma Mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There he received his Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2007 and his Juris Doctor in 2011. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois in 2011. He was later admitted to the United States District Courts for both the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois. He formerly practiced as a public interest attorney in Rockford, Illinois, and as an insurance defense attorney in Joliet, Illinois. He now specializes in estate planning, trust and estate administration,...

I am Thomas Eric Ost. As a former Assistant Public Defender in DuPage County, I handled hundreds of criminal, mental health, and juvenile cases. Those cases ranged from DUIs, Domestic Batteries, and Retail Thefts to Aggravated Batteries and Murder. The police and the prosecutors seem to do their best to dehumanize defendants to everyone including to the defendants themselves. Yet in 23 years of practice, I’ve learned that most people with legal problems are not bad people. They are people who are caught up in a problem a lot bigger than they...

An Illinois licensed attorney since 2003, fighting for my individual client as well as their families and businesses.