Rankin Family Lawyers

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Noelle C. Cislo is a licensed attorney concentrating in the areas of divorce, post-decree issues, probate and estate planning. Noelle graduated from DePaul University in 2011 where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in Political Science. While at DePaul, Noelle made the Dean’s List and was a recipient of the DePaul Scholars Award for her strong academic achievements. Noelle received her Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2014. During law school, Noelle served as a Notes and Comments Editor on the school’s Law Review and wrote an article regarding grandparent visitation rights....

Johnson Isdell LLC is a comprehensive family law firm well versed in the settlement and litigation of divorce, fathers rights, legal separation, child support, maintenance, custody, visitation, and prenuptial agreements. We pride ourselves in providing the highest level of service at a reasonable cost.

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...

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...

Jared possesses a varied background from family and divorce law to criminal law.

Carin Brio started her practice at one of the largest real estate law firms in the State of Massachusetts as one of a handful of associates who represented clients in over 200 real estate cases every month. Since then, she has added estate planning, probate, family law, and other areas of law to her practice and helped hundreds of clients with the legal matters that are important to them. Now based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, Carin and her staff work diligently on their cases - whether it is a contested divorce case, setting up a trust for your family, or...

Thomas has over 22 years of experience serving clients with respect and compassion in family law and real estate purchases and sales. Thomas has the experience and skill to handle both complex and more routine matters. He comes from a divorced family, which inspired him to become a family law attorney, Guardian ad Litem and mediator so he can help other families who are facing these similar difficult experiences. Thomas is also divorced with two children from his previous marriage and is remarried with a step-daughter, and these experiences help him understand and advocate for his clients in matters including...

Mr. Benison earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. While attending Law School, Mr. Benison achieved the JMLS best oralist award for his participation in the 2L Herzog Moot Court Competition. He was selected for a student externship with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office during his final year of law school. Prior to entering Law School, Mr. Benison was in private practice as an accountant, working with local business in Northern Illinois. In his free time, Mr. Benison enjoys spending time with his wife, Erika, and their three children.

Scott W. Brammer grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. After graduating from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1992, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree, Mr. Brammer was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois. That same year, he was also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Scott has spent over 30 years as an attorney in McHenry concentrating on Family Law, Residential and...

Michael J. Swanson is an experienced courtroom attorney who knows how to navigate the court system to aggressively represent his clients and maximize favorable outcomes. Prior to joining the law firm of Swanson & Sackett P.C., Michael served as the Managing Attorney in the Madison County State's Attorney's Office child support division. In this role, he handled thousands of cases each year and gained extensive courtroom experience. Michael earned his Juris Doctorate at Saint Louis University and his bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), which he attended following his six-year enlistment with the U.S. Air Force....

Midwest Legal Care serves clients all across northern Illinois, including Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, DeKalb, McHenry, and Kane counties.

At Midwest Legal Care, we believe the first role of attorney is that of counselor. Midwest Legal Care is dedicated to understanding what results you want and will help you understand what actions we can take on your behalf to obtain the best outcome. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.

Attorney Robert (Bob) Canfield was born and raised in Rockford, IL. He graduated from Guilford High School in 1965. After joining the Army in February of 1968, he went on to Army flight school and graduated 2nd in his flight class. He spent a year in Vietnam flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters for the 101st Airborne Division and then returned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, as an Instrument Flight Instructor.

Following active Duty, he attended the University of Minnesota where he received his BA in psychology in 1976 and his Law degree in 1978. After taking and passing both the...

Emily is a determined and fierce advocate for her clients. At the same time her welcoming smile and friendly personality will put you at ease when discussing your legal problem. Emily has spent the last 12 years representing clients in real estate, eviction and installment sales contract cases. Whether it is negotiating a settlement or taking a case to court, Emily’s experience allows her to get results for her clients.

Emily has an Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from Southern Illinois University. While in law school, she worked for...

Tyler Phillips began his legal career as solo practitioner following graduation from the St. Louis University School of Law in 2012. Thereafter, Tyler joined Blickhan, Timmerwilke, Woodworth & Larson in Quincy, Illinois and engaged in a diverse area of practice including divorce, domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, criminal defense, and civil litigation, in both Illinois and Missouri. Tyler joined the firm of Hauk and Owens in 2016 where he continued his practice in both Illinois and Missouri. Tyler joined the firm Rober Law, P.C. in October of 2022, as a partner where he continues to advocate for his clients...

I am a partner in a small suburban firm for over 35 years that provides excellent legal services to thousands of satisfied clients. I regularly lectures on various legal topics and am appointed by the court to mediate Family Law issues. I also love playing tennis and am on the Board of several charitable organizations

I practice divorce and family law and my goal is to be both understanding of my clients situation and compassionate as they deal with a rough time in their life.

I have been practicing law since 2008 after graduating from Michigan State University College of Law with my Doctor of Jurisprudence.

I was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2008 and Illinois in 2011.

I hope to helping families move forward towards a better future.

The Law Offices of Paul Marinov, P.C. focuses its practices in the area of family and immigration law. We are a results-oriented law firm dedicated to serving our clients’ needs and finding practical solutions to even the most complex legal issues. We will take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and fully explain the laws involved in your case. We will work tirelessly to provide the legal assistance you need so that your case is resolved as quickly as possible while achieving the best possible outcome. Based on our extensive experience in a wide verity of...

Attorney Robert M. Kaplan has been practicing law for more than 20 years. He is dedicated to assisting clients with family law, real estate law, bankruptcy law, estate planning and probate matters. After receiving a degree in law from The University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, and working as a Public Defender in Miami, FL, Attorney Kaplan made the move to Illinois to start his own practice in 1991.

Tiffany M. Hughes is the Founding Partner of The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. based in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Hughes established the firm in 2011 and has represented individuals in all aspects of family and matrimonial law proceedings, including complex litigation, mediation, allocation of parental responsibility, divorce, and other child-related matters. Ms. Hughes handles matters from beginning to end, including litigation when needed and settlement when available. Clients regard her as an exceptional attorney who exudes professionalism, concern, and respect. Ms. Hughes has received a number of prestigious accolades, including recognition as a 2016 and 2017 Rising Star...

A graduate of University of Illinois and DePaul University College of Law, Attorney Anthony Abear has been practicing law for almost two decades. He began his legal career in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. A former felony prosecutor, Mr. Abear gained valuable experience in investigative interviewing and litigation.

In 2003, Mr. Abear established his own firm, Abear Law Offices, which is dedicated to family law matters. Mr. Abear brings the skill set of a prosecutor into his family law practice. He offers clients aggressive representation and is not afraid to go to court to argue on his clients’ behalf. ...

Nick Kulagin is a dedicated family law and estate planning attorney who has represented residents of DuPage County and Kane County for 15 years. Based in Wheaton, Mr. Kulagin works diligently to protect his clients’ families, homes, and businesses. He believes that successful advocacy begins with investigating each person’s particular needs. With a strong reputation in the legal community, he is committed to helping his clients understand their legal rights and options so that they can make fully informed decisions.

Mr. Kulagin attended De Paul University for his undergraduate studies, graduating with a Political Science degree. He went on to earn...

Russell Knight was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. His family moved to the United States in 1991.

Russell Knight attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Computers Systems.

After two years working as a computer programmer for a Fortune 50 company, Russell Knight decided that he’d rather work with people than machines and he enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana, Illinois.

Upon graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2006, Russell Knight began working for a small general practice law firm in Chicago,...

Along with his years of experience, Lake County divorce attorney Van A. Schwab has a solid educational basis for his divorce and family law practice. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, he received his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Because of recent, up-to-date training, Mr. Schwab is a certified divorce mediator, and is prepared to handle family law issues through collaborative law methods. He has published an article on cohabitation in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Licensed to practice family law in the states of Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey, he...

Raleigh is the Past President of the DuPage County Association of Women Lawyers, the Past President and a current Board Member of the DuPage County Bar Foundation, a Past-Editor-In-Chief and current Editor for the DCBA Brief Magazine and a member of the following organizations: DuPage County Bar Association including the Family Law Committee, and Illinois State Bar Association. Raleigh received her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1993 and graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2001. Raleigh is a solo practitioner in Wheaton, IL. The firm handles matters in Wheaton, Kendall, Kane, Will, DeKalb, and...

Mr. Thacker is an attorney at the law offices of GWC Injury Lawyers LLC. With more than 30 years of experience and a proven track record of success, Stephen is a valued asset to our law firm. If you require comprehensive legal counsel in Illinois, contact Mr. Thacker today at (312) 464-1234 or toll free at (800) 464-4772.

Ms. Pirtle uses her extensive knowledge in helping each and every client find a solution that is tailored to his or her circumstances while also exhibiting strong advocacy in the courtroom. She understands that not every case is a trial case nor can every case be kept out of the courtroom. Whether your needs are getting through a tough situation now or planning to avoid tough situations in the future, Ms. Pirtle can help you achieve your goals. Practice Areas • Divorce • High Asset Divorce • Maintenance & Alimony • Child Custody & Child Support • Prenuptial Agreements • Family Law • Residential Real Estate Bar Admissions Education...

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...

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...

Unlike most other attorneys, as a former immigrant student of law, I have keen understanding about common needs of people of immigrant communities. I specialize in family/employment immigration, deportation defenses, all issues regarding visas, and asylum. You can have an assurance that I will resolve your immigration problem in timely, efficient, and more importantly, creative manner.