German Valley Lawyers

I concentrate my practice on business and real estate transactions and disputes, with a particular fondness for working with international clients. From 2017 to 2019, I lived and worked as the senior counsel in the Middle East, where I advised C-suite executives on quarter-billion-dollar PPP projects. My clients are typically either small to medium-size businesses or individuals, U.S. residents conducting business overseas or foreign nationals investing in the U.S. I have handled international business transactions across Canada, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Additionally, I represent clients in federal court, having been admitted to several federal courts...

Megan O’Connor is a passionate advocate for injured people, especially foster and adoptive youth and their families. Megan’s experience in handling complex issues of law along with her passion for advocacy, has laid the foundation for her to help obtain millions of dollars of settlements and awards. Notably, Megan was second chair in record breaking $45 million dollar verdict for the death of a toddler as the result of social service negligence. Additionally, Megan was second chair in a products liability trial resulting in a $10.7 million verdict and a foster care abuse case that resulted in a $19.55 million...

David J. Rashid joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. in 2023, where he concentrates his legal practice on cases concerning personal injury, medical negligence, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. He has been involved in medical malpractice cases focused on misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries, emergency room errors, and stroke. In his first trial with the firm, Mr. Rashid obtained a $32.7 million jury verdict on behalf of a man who had to undergo a foot amputation due to a delayed diagnosis of a blood clot. Prior to joining Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., Mr. Rashid worked at a well-known Chicago personal...

Frank J. Bertuca, an aggressive litigator, has obtained millions of dollars in benefits on behalf of his clients. He is one of a select group of lawyers to obtain rarely awarded penalties and attorneys’ fees against United Airlines, American Airlines and major automotive manufacturing and insurance companies for their unreasonable conduct denying benefits to injured workers.

He proudly represents injured workers in courts throughout Illinois, including those in the airline, automotive, manufacturing, construction, law enforcement and fire protection industries. Frank has numerous trial victories and settlements for members of the AFA, ALPA, APFA, FOP, Grain Millers, IAFF, lEA, MAP, SEIU, Teamsters,...

Daniel M. Kotin is a partner and trial lawyer with the Chicago law firm of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman. Prior to founding this firm, Dan was a partner with the prominent firm Corboy & Demetrio. While at the firm he along with Tom Demetrio, set a record for the largest verdict in Illinois for an individual injured in a mass transit crash when he obtained $29.6 million on behalf of a woman who suffered brain injuries in the derailment of a Metra train.

Since founding Tomasik Kotin Kasserman in 2013, he has obtained jury verdicts totaling nearly $22 million and...

Prior to graduating from law school, Mr. Kottaras received valuable training as an intern for two civil court Judges. After law school, Mr. Kottaras began working with a local law firm, where he honed his litigation skills representing real estate developers and personal injury clients.

In 1993, Mr. Kottaras opened a Law Office in the Chicago-Loop, and has been in continuous operation ever since. During this time, he became general counsel for a local real estate developer and owner of several Chicago-Loop commercial buildings, where he practiced real estate leasing, litigation and transactional law. After the developer retired,...

Ted McNabola is a leading personal injury lawyer in Chicago and the founder of McNabola & Associates. He has spent over two decades advocating on behalf of injury victims across the state. He was recognized in Super Lawyers® “Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois” because of his success. Over the last 25 years, he has won 97% of all cases he has accepted and over 90% of cases that went to trial. Recently, even though the defense made no offers in his past four cases that went to trial, Mr. Mcnabola prevailed at trial with verdicts in excess of $20 million....

Dean Taradash is a lawyer that represents people going through one of life’s most traumatic events … divorce. Since 1999, Dean has focused his entire practice on assisting people through the divorce process. Dean has represented people throughout the state of Illinois and has a reputation for being a zealous advocate for his clients, both in and out of the courtroom. Dean is dedicated to ensuring that his clients obtain the most favorable outcomes while also understanding that not every issue is a fight. If an issue can be resolved amicably and without court intervention, Dean is always happy to...

Daisy Ayllón is a Senior Attorney at Romanucci & Blandin and a part of the firm’s highly respected Sexual Abuse & Hazing and Medical Malpractice teams. Since joining the firm, Daisy has participated in a number of cases, including helping to recently secure a $35 million settlement following a three-week trial for a birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy. Prior to joining Romanucci & Blandin, Daisy spent nearly a decade at a Chicago-area personal injury firm, starting as a law clerk while in law school before her hiring as an attorney after passing the bar. She helped both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking...

David Abels became a lawyer in 1994 and has focused his law practice on helping accident and injury victims since 1997. Much of his work revolves around motor vehicle related accidents, such as car crashes, bicycle accidents, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents and assisting those involved in ride-share collisions (Uber & Lyft). He also spends a significant amount of time working on premises liability claims and sex abuse cases.

Years ago David started representing personal injury victims with the following philosophy: work hard on every case, and do such a good job that each client would want to use...

Dedrick Gordon is the owner of the Gordon Injury Lawyers, P.C., a law firm conveniently located in downtown Chicago and the CBD of New Orleans. He concentrates his legal practice in several areas primarily involving serious personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Mr. Gordon is an Illinois and Louisiana licensed trial lawyer. Mr. Gordon grew up in Chicago, but maintains strong New Orleans roots. Mr. Gordon has successfully recovered millions of dollars in recoveries and hundreds of substantial settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of injury victims and their families. Mr. Gordon has gained a reputation for his aggressive...

J.D. Northwestern University School of Law; B. A. - S.U.N.Y. at Purchase, New York ; Emma Willard School, Troy, New York; Alumnus: Operation Crossroads Africa - Ivory Coast ; Exchange Student University of Lorraine, France.

Susan L. Novosad is a partner at Levin & Perconti and has practiced law since 1985. Susan concentrates primarily in the areas of nursing home litigation, medical malpractice, automobile and premises liability matters. Susan is a highly experienced trial attorney, having been counsel in numerous complex medical malpractice cases. One of her most notable achievements in this arena is a $6.7 million verdict in a birth-related medical malpractice case. She also obtained a $995,000 verdict for a 67-year-old single assisted living resident who choked and died after being given food prohibited by his diet and a $1,000,000 settlement...

Located in Glenview, Illinois, Attorney Matthew A. Livingston is an experienced attorney who concentrates his practice on estate planning, probate & trust administration, real estate, and business formation. As the founder of The Livingston Law Office, Attorney Livingston works diligently to provide peace of mind to his clients. Representing individuals, families, and businesses throughout Cook County and Lake County, call Attorney Livingston at 847-544-6657 or visit his website to schedule a free initial consultation.

Derek Martin is from the south suburbs of Chicago. He attended Illinois State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Derek worked at a major media company for five years before deciding to enroll in law school. He attended Chicago-Kent College of Law part-time in the evenings while working full-time during the day. Derek supervised and managed 55 employees at the company, before leaving to practice law full-time. As a real estate investor since his early twenties, Derek built a law practice managing real estate transactions for investors throughout Chicagoland. Derek has since co-founded Driver Defense Team where he manages...

Patrick A. Salvi concentrates his legal practice in cases concerning serious personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and mass torts. Mr. Salvi has achieved record-breaking jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients throughout the state, including serving as lead counsel on a trial team that won an Illinois record-high $148 million jury verdict and a Lake County record $33 million jury verdict. In 1982, Mr. Salvi founded the law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. (originally the law offices of Patrick A. Salvi) in Lake County, Illinois. He is the sole owner and Managing Equity Partner of Salvi,...

Experienced. Tough. Driven. Put these three words together and you have defined the lead attorney at the firm of Woodruff Johnson & Evans. Over the course of his career, Mr. Woodruff has handled thousands of injury claims, recovering millions of dollars for people who have been hurt. Through it all, Mr. Woodruff has fought tirelessly to prevent corporations and big insurance companies from trampling on the rights of working men and women. For instance, on 40 different occasions, Mr. Woodruff represented employees from the University of Illinois who were denied their workers’ compensation rights after suffering repetitive-work injuries to their...

John Lynch became interested in debt relief and bankruptcy before he went to Law School. John was employed at Eastern Airlines in Miami, Florida, which at that time was the second largest airline in the US. Eastern Airlines filed for bankruptcy in 1990 and by 1991 it had closed its doors. John knew so many people that could not find work, had cars repossessed and faced mounting debt. Then, in 1992 Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida and Pan Am airlines also closed its doors. By that time John was a Paralegal and owner of a Title Company. He worked as...

After graduating with honors from DePaul University in 2009, Mr. Vako attended Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale. There, his constant pursuit of excellence allowed him to succeed academically, as well as compete as a member of the Moot Court Board in various advocacy tournaments around the country. His moot court team won best brief two years in a row. These experiences helped Mr. Vako develop a casual yet effective style of courtroom advocacy and demeanor; one that has helped him throughout his career. His compassionate approach and willingness to work with opposing counsel, and against them when...

An outstanding trial attorney, Shawn Collins is at his best in a courtroom. Shawn has extensive experience handling “high stakes” litigation in environmental contamination, toxic tort, personal injury, and commercial cases. Most recently, Shawn served as co-counsel in a case resulting in a $363 million jury verdict for a woman who contracted breast cancer after decades of exposure to ethylene oxide. He has also been instrumental in acquiring clean water and contamination-free homes for thousands of families. Shawn has recovered millions for clients, including: $34.5 million for a neighborhood contaminated with toxic vapors; $8.5 million for the family of a...

John, a personal injury trial lawyer at The Collins Law Firm P.C., has dedicated his career to fighting those responsible for injuring his clients. He focuses his practice on medical negligence, nursing home neglect, and catastrophic personal injury. He spends the majority of his practice helping victims of catastrophic injury obtain justice. As a trial lawyer, John works tirelessly to get the best outcome for his clients and has recovered over $25 million for his clients. He has tried cases to verdict in Illinois and handled cases throughout the country. Prior to joining The Collins Law Firm, John defended large multi-national...

Ed was born in Park Ridge, Illinois. During grade school and high school, Ed lived in the small town of Crete, Illinois. In his senior year of high school, Ed enlisted with the Illinois Army National Guard as a field artillery cannon crewmember. In August of 2001, Ed was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic and advanced individual training. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon happened during his training. After completing training, Ed returned to Illinois and shortly afterwards, began attending school at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. In 2004, during his senior year at...

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

Cary is an aggressive and experienced DUI Defense attorney who was selected as one of the “10 Best DUI/DWI Attorneys” in Illinois by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys from 2017 - 2024. He was also recognized by SuperLawyers in the field of DUI (for eight straight years; 2017-2024), a designation given to just 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois. Additionally, Cary was selected as a “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Under 40” by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys on numerous occasions as well. Cary graduated cum laude from The John Marshall Law School after majoring in journalism &...

Experience, integrity and flexibility form the backbone of my client oriented practice in Cook and DuPage Counties. My twelve years of negotiating, mediating, trials and appeals, inform my opinion of your case, and from our initial consultation onward, you always receive an honest assessment of the likely outcome. I strive for innovative solutions to your issues, minimizing expense and grief, strategizing to let you retain control over the results, while always being ready to "go all the way". Throughout, I will always be accessible to you and bill you fairly, tailoring payment options to your circumstances. About Me: ...

Over the last two decades, Lisa has handled thousands of uncontested and contested family law cases, including pre and post-decree divorce cases, support modification and enforcement proceedings, paternity and parenting time (visitation) matters, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody) and removal (relocation) cases, DCFS appeals, orders of protection, and guardianship cases. Lisa is a zealous advocate for her clients and knows when a case should be settled and when it requires aggressive representation and litigation.

As a trained guardian ad litem with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County, as well as Cook, Kane and Will County, Lisa has been appointed...

Melissa Fernandez (Marin) graduated from DePaul University in 2015 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Political Science. Melissa went on to receive her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2019 with a certificate in Family Law where she graduated Cum Laude and maintained herself on the Dean's list for all three years. From a very young age, Melissa knew that she was passionate about family law. As a child of divorced parents, Melissa brings a unique perspective to the firm having experienced the breakdown of her family at a young age....

Respect for working men and women is the driving force behind Jay Johnson's commitment to workers' compensation law. It is a respect that runs deep. One of Jay's grandfathers was a Kentucky coal miner; the other, a member of the United Rubber Workers. Because both his grandfathers worked extremely hard in less-than-ideal environments, Jay has great empathy for those who get hurt on the job. Over the years, Jay Johnson has recovered millions of dollars for people suffering from a variety of work-related injuries. He prides himself on thoroughly preparing for each case and staying in close, personal contact with clients....

Jon Walker is an associate attorney at Woodruff Johnson & Evans where he focuses his practice on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security Disability claims. With more than a decade of legal experience, Mr. Walker has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his injured clients. He is particularly experienced in handling workers’ compensation claims for auto industry workers. He is one of only a few attorneys in the entire state of Illinois currently helping injured workers secure expedited trial and appellate review by filing emergency hearings under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, Section 19(b-1). Call for a free consultation.

Don is a passionate and enthusiastic problem solver who loves the intellectual challenges of family law from the initial consultation to the final agreement or judicial ruling. As an experienced divorce and family law attorney, Don handles every type of case from the simple agreement to the most intricate and delicate situations with precision, persistence and care. Don takes pride in his ability to communicate with clients. Don gives clients one-on-one attention every step of the way. He thoroughly explains the legal process from the first action to the last. Don always makes it his goal...

Christine’s focus as an attorney is on helping her clients through the most difficult situations life offers. Whether her clients are facing criminal charges, the end of a marriage, issues related to children, or end of life concerns, Christine’s passion for helping them through these issues is evident through her honesty, patience, and ability to make even the most complex legal issues make sense to her clients. Christine attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with Juris Doctorate degree. During her tenure at NIU College of Law, she earned a Certificate in Criminal Practice. She...

For over 30 years, Joseph M. Lucas has provided legal services that can't be matched in personal injury, real estate, and business law. Through Joseph's guidance, many of his clients have avoided serious personal, financial, and legal problems. Please contact Joseph at Lucas Law online or by phone at 847-381-8700.

Andrew P. Cores is a graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Andrew earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Northwestern University School of Law in 1993. He is admitted to practice law in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. Andrew concentrates his family law practice in divorce, alimony and spousal support, child support, collaborative law, custody, prenuptial agreements, litigation and appeals, complex litigation, federal trial practice, state appellate practice, state trial practice, business law and mediation. Andrew has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2012. He is a member of the DuPage County...

Attorney Hanley has focused her practice on representing investors nationwide who have lost their savings and retirement funds as a result of their brokerage accounts being mishandled. Attorney Hanley represents investors in claims against their brokers, broker dealers, investment advisors, financial advisors, and insurance companies. Attorney Hanley is experienced in providing representation for investors who have been the victims of financial fraud, negligence and unsuitable investments. Attorney Hanley has experience in prosecuting claims against the major Wall Street brokerage firms.

Attorney Hanley has extensive experience in the areas of securities litigation and arbitration, including securities class actions, numerous arbitrations...

I am the principal of a law firm composed of five attorneys, focusing on all aspects of Civil Trial Practice and Appeals across all State and Federal Courts in Northeastern Illinois and Southeastern Florida. Our firm handles a wide range of cases, with a particular emphasis on catastrophic bodily injury and death claims. We primarily represent clients dealing with nursing home neglect, motor vehicle including trucking negligence, and premises liability claims. Since our establishment in 1994, we have maintained a proven track record of success. If you need assistance, please contact us at 312-701-0090 or 305-580-0000, and let one of...

Sean Robertson brings over two decades of legal experience to his role as the Managing Partner at Gateville Law Firm, where he delivers bespoke legal strategies in estate planning, tax strategy, business planning, and asset protection. His practice is focused on addressing the complex legal needs of high-net-worth individuals, business owners, seniors, and financial advisors, helping them to safeguard and enhance their financial legacy. Sean's extensive experience includes a strong foundation in real estate and transactional law, where he has successfully negotiated intricate commercial leases and managed a portfolio of high-stake transactions. His acumen extends beyond business and real estate law,...

Kevin G. Drendel Cornell College, cum laude, and a 1991 graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, magna cum laude. While at Northern Illinois University, he was a member of the Law Review, and published an article in the University’s scholarly (NIU Law Review 73, 1990). He also received the West Publishing Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. He is admitted to practice in front of all Illinois State Courts and the U.S. District Court, the Northern District of Illinois. Kevin is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Kane County Bar Association: Director (1999-2000), ...

Daniel J. Kollias' combination of experience in the real world and in the courtroom sets him apart from other attorneys. He represents clients with the goal of finding practical solutions to complex problems. Prior to starting his firm, Dan successfully owned and managed a restaurant and bar in Elmhurst for a few years before returning to the practice of law. He understands business from the perspectives of both the entrepreneur and the advocate.

Dan is at home both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Dan gained extensive in-court experience as a prosecutor in the...

Andrew Kryder is the founding member of The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, an experienced Chicago personal injury firm. With over 20 years of litigation experience, Andrew has focused his practice on personal injury matters including car accidents, motorcycle accidents and commercial vehicle accidents. In addition, the firm handles construction site injuries, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice and work injuries. Through the years, Andy has compiled an impressive record of Verdicts and Settlements, some of which have been profiled in national and local verdict reporters. In many instances, clients first meet with Andy under very difficult circumstances....