Carmi Family Lawyers

Thomas earned his Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law in May 2002. While in law school, he served as an Articles Editor for the Indiana Law Review and made the Dean’s List for three semesters. Before earning his law degree, Thomas obtained a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Indiana State University in May 1998. In undergraduate school, he made the Dean’s List for six semesters, was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, and was a recipient of the R. Christopher Perry Memorial Pre-Law Award. Thomas is currently licensed to help clients in...

Marilyn Johnson is a partner at Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. She has been practicing law for over 30 years, concentrating in the areas of divorce, custody, support, and visitation. She has conducted numerous trials and hearings involving large marital estates and complex child custody issues. Prior to practicing law, Marilyn Johnson was a special education teacher who worked with children with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems. Her vast experience as a lawyer, teacher, and mother has enabled her to acquire a deep, compassionate understanding of the family unit, which has enabled her to counsel clients through the most...

Mr. Shore is acutely aware that when an individual contacts Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices about a legal problem, that for the client it is also a personal problem. In addition to litigating or negotiating settlements in many major cases, he is a skilled listener who is adept at developing & implementing cost-effective and winning strategies. Mr. Shore represents divorce and parentage clients in settlement negotiations, pre-trials, hearings, and trials. He is also appointed by the Court to represent minors in custody proceedings. As an appointed guardian for the children (referred to as a Guardian Ad Litem or GAL),...

Mr. Reeb is a partner at Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP. As a partner at Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP, Mr. Reeb focuses his practice exclusively on family law, representing business owners, executives, professionals, and their spouses. Mr. Reeb concentrates in all areas of family law, including issues of child custody and visitation, child support, maintenance, property division, complex financial matters, tax consequences, pre and post nuptial agreements, restraining orders, orders of protection, as well as family law appeals. Judges also frequently appoint Mr. Reeb to serve as Guardian ad Litem and as Mediator...

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...

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...

I am the founding partner of Koth Gregory & Nieminski (KGN). We take pride in helping the people in our local community.

Attorney Jaime Barker is a dedicated and personable legal advocate in Cook County, providing thorough guidance for an array of legal matters. Drawing on sharp legal insight and a determined approach, he has successfully represented local residents through issues in family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. Clients rely on him for focused attention and strategic counsel aimed at favorable outcomes. Mr. Barker earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2009, followed by a Doctor of Law degree from the John Marshall Law School in 2013. After gaining hands-on experience...

Licensed to practice law under the Illinois State Bar since 1973, and the DuPage County Bar since 2003, Attorney John F. Martoccio is now a managing partner at Martoccio and Martoccio in DuPage County, Illinois. The law firm focuses on providing high quality legal advice from a team of caring family law and personal injury lawyers who treat their clients with respect. He was recently named in an article in the Illinois Trial Court Divorce Digest. He represented a stay at home mother of two who was married in 2005 in her divorce. She had no assets and spoke...

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.

Attorney Michelle Bugajsky focuses her practice on probate, estate planning, and family law. Whether assisting clients in planning for their futures or helping clients through problems in the here and now, Michelle provides caring and thoughtful legal services. Michelle takes great pride in combining her keen legal expertise of probate and estate planning law with a plan uniquely crafted for each specific client or family.

Michelle attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Thereafter, Michelle accepted an academic scholarship to attend the Illinois Institute of...

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...

William J. Stogsdill joined The Stogsdill Law Firm, P. C. in April of 2012. Since joining the firm, Will has primarily focused on practice in the area of family law. Will has worked on complex financial estates, custody disputes, negotiating property and custody settlements, and orders of protection. In 2011, Will was published in the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Handbook as a Co-Author with William J. Stogsdill, of the chapter entitled, "Division of Retirement Benefits in Dissolution Proceedings."

Prior to joining The Stogsdill Law Firm, P. C., Will worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau...

Anthony obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1979 and thereafter his Law Degree in 1982 from the DePaul University, College of Law in Chicago. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the United States District Court Bar in 1982.

Since that time he has maintained active memberships in the Will County Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association and has served on its Matrimonial Law Committee, the Illinois State Bar Association and in 2006-2007 was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Section Counsel on Judicial Evaluations. In 2014-2015 he served as a Member of the Illinois...

Christopher Stanton joined Calabrese Associates, P.C. in June of 2023. Since receiving his license in 2011, Chris has worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in DeKalb, Winnebago and DuPage counties. In that time Chris was tasked with handling a variety of matters including traffic and misdemeanor, domestic violence, DUIs, orders of protection and drug-related offenses. While in DeKalb County, Chris also ran the Diversion Program, for first-time misdemeanor offenders. Since leaving the State's Attorney's Office in 2017, Chris has worked in private practice doing family law, collections, real estate, probate, and trusts & estates law. Over the course of his career,...

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...

Admitted to practice law in 1998, Sean M. McCumber graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1998 and graduated magna cum laude in 1995 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University. Prior to joining the firm, Sean served in the McLean County State's Attorney Office in the juvenile division and then practiced commercial litigation, intellectual property, and advertising law in a large Chicago law firm. Sean concentrates his current practice in family law matters. Sean is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, which named him 2010...

Brian J. Banahan has been practicing law in DuPage, Kane and Cook County Illinois for over 20 years. He began his legal career and learned his way around the courtroom in 1997 as a full time 711 prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. From there, Mr. Banahan moved to serve as chief legal counsel and Deputy Public Administrator for DuPage County for 17 years. In that job, Mr. Banahan managed, administered, litigated, settled, and closed hundreds of decedent’s estates and an extensive number of related legal matters in nearly every area of the law. In the process, he...

My law firm represents people in DuPage, Kendall and Kane Counties. For nearly a decade, I have focused entirely on divorce, paternity (parentage), establishment and modification of support, parental rights, enforcement of divorce decrees and other family law related matters. I have litigated numerous divorce and parentage matters and know how to litigate yours. More importantly than that, I focus on keeping your case out of the courthouse as much as possible. That helps keep costs down and can actually expedite many cases.

I have an undergraduate degree in psychology with 5 years' experience working with abused children and adolescents with...

I am a dedicated family law attorney passionate about assisting clients through complex legal challenges during difficult times. I understand that family law involves more than just legal knowledge; it requires compassion and empathy. My experience spans divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, UCCJEA jurisdictional issues, and DCFS appeals. I am committed to securing favorable outcomes for my clients while ensuring their well-being is a priority. I am adept in both negotiation and litigation, providing strategic advice and strong advocacy in court. When asked about the most important qualities in a family lawyer, I would emphasize “responsiveness and transparency.”...

Joerika Stitt, Esq. is a dedicated and compassionate legal professional with a unique blend of expertise as a licensed attorney, social worker, and certified mediator. With a career rooted in advocacy and support, Joerika offers clients customized and collaborative solutions to amicably resolve divorce and family disputes. Starting off as a legal aid lawyer, Joerika represented survivors of domestic violence in divorce, family, and order of protection cases. This foundational experience shaped a deep commitment to providing empathetic and effective legal assistance. In private practice, Joerika continues to champion the needs of individuals and families, focusing on mediation and collaborative...

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...

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...

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...

Rina Infelise is currently a partner at Rohde and Infelise, PC where she practices in all areas of Criminal law, traffic offenses, domestic violence and orders of protection. Additionally, Rina defends parties that are the subject of Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigations. and abuse and neglect proceedings.

Ann Leone is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She then attended The John Marshall Law School and received her Juris Doctorate. She has worked in various government agencies, including the Department of Children and Family Services and The Cook County Office of The Public Guardian as a Guardian ad litem. Through these agencies, she gained invaluable experience working on various complex juvenile immigration cases and handling many domestic relations cases, including custody disputes and divorces. Additionally, she has worked with numerous non-profits, specializing in...

We have had several thousand satisfied clients from throughout the Chicagoland area who we've provided top-quality legal services for over the past 35 years, since 1988, and our clients have given us a rating of 4.53 stars based on over 55 online reviews (on Avvo.com, Google and Lawyers.com).

Attorney Tom Elsner, Partner at Lafata Law LLC. Tom received his undergraduate degree in business management at Arizona State University. Tom had found his calling for helping others attain what was just and right while working as a business manager. He then was admitted into law school at Northern Illinois University. While enrolled, Tom worked as a Clerk for the US District Court in Northern Illinois and as an intern with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Since graduating from law school, Tom went on to become an Assistant State's Attorney for DuPage County where Tom worked in the traffic, misdemeanor and...

Megan Lafata (Elsner) is the Founder of Lafata Law LLC. Megan received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and went on to work as a law clerk with a DuPage County Law Firm specializing in local prosecutions, criminal defense and family law. She then was admitted to Northern Illinois University College of Law. After graduating from Northern Illinois University College of Law, Megan embarked on her legal career as an Assistant State's Attorney for DuPage County. Her hard work and ambition catapulted her from prosecutions of traffic offenses to misdemeanors including DUI, battery, domestic battery, orders of protection, theft,...

Brian Nigohosian is known as a skilled litigator who is able to direct his clients towards a successful resolution of their cases. He works hard to establish trust based relationships with each client, and provides the guidance necessary to get them to their goal. He employs an approach that provides his clients with the maximum amount of information with which to make an informed decision. While the majority of cases result in a settlement, he has found that the best approach is to prepare each case thoroughly, thereby placing his clients in a strong position to settle, or if necessary,...

Bradley R. Kaye (“Brad”) is a licensed attorney concentrating in the areas of divorce, post-decree issues, estate planning, and criminal law. Brad is based in the Schaumburg office of Anderson & Associates, P.C., and handles cases primarily in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties.

Joshua E. Stern, Esq. is the managing partner of Stern Mendez. As a dedicated family law practitioner, his goal is to help families through difficult transitions and act as a source of stability throughout the legal process. Whether you are preparing to marry or are leaving your marriage behind, Joshua provides the legal expertise you need while lending an empathetic ear and remaining sensitive to the individual needs of each and every one of his clients. Because every matter is unique, Joshua takes the time to listen to what his clients want and outline their options, so they know what to...

Christopher is a compassionate and accomplished Chicago family law attorney who focuses on divorce, custody, child support and many other areas of family law. Throughout his legal career, Christopher has been recognized by his peers as an outstanding member of the Chicago legal community. In February 2014, he was recognized by the Chicago Law Bulletin in a front page article for his robust commitment to family law and the clients he serves. Additionally, in March 2013, Christopher was honored by Illinoisprobono.org as “Advocate of the Month.” This incredible honor was bestowed by his peers for their appreciation of Christopher’s...

Since entering private practice, Attorney Smith has maintained a general practice with a concentration in family law. He has been a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Winnebago County Bar Association for over forty years each. Attorney Smith is currently a member of the family law section of each of these associations. He is currently on an advisory panel for the American Bar Association. He has been a presenter to other attorneys locally on family law and child related topics.

For over forty years Attorney Michael J. Smith has provided experienced family law representation. Family law...

Kyle D. Sellett is a Partner at Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, where he practices matters in Divorce & Family Law. Mr. Sellett’s legal career began as a Creditor’s Rights attorney and eventually acting as a Supervisor at one of his previous law firms. During his time practicing in Collection Law, he routinely handled trials, hearings, and other contested matters. His experience in this field makes him an ideal option to handle any case where there are delinquent debts involved. Additionally, he is an experienced negotiator who has a history of settling cases with favorable terms for his clients. Mr. Sellett joined...

Attorney David P. Gonet comes to family law with a background in appellate law and intellectual property law. A business major in college, David went on to get his law degree from the University of Houston College of Law, where he participated in clinical work, researching and drafting state and federal appeals, and petitioning for writs of habeas corpus. Prior to practicing exclusively in the area of family law, David worked at a law firm concentrating in civil appeals, were be drafted appeals to the Illinois Court of Appeals, State of Illinois Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeals, and...

I understand that navigating through family law can be a daunting and emotional journey, often leaving clients feeling lost or uncertain about their next steps. I believe in resolving disputes in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, and I work diligently to negotiate settlements that prioritize my clients' interests. However, when settlement isn't feasible, I am a skilled litigator who will fiercely advocate for my clients' rights in court. A key priority for me is ensuring that clients fully understand their legal options and the implications of their decisions. I provide accessible legal services to both English- and Spanish-speaking clients,...

Cameron knows no single approach works for every situation, so in addition to extensive experience as a litigator and trial lawyer, he has training in divorce mediator and in collaborative law. Cameron works with his clients to find the most appropriate approach. He looks for opportunities to utilize the elements of each process if he believes it will move a case toward a favorable resolution.

Cameron’s educational background includes a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He also holds a Certificate in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from Chicago-Kent College of Law and...