Ridgway Lawyers

Owner and Principal Attorney at DLAW, PC As an attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience, Deanna Aguinaga Walker enjoys the flexibility that having her own law practice gives her. She is able to become personally involved with each of her clients, and she appreciates the opportunity to assist them on a wide range of legal matters. Deanna earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Northern Illinois University School of Law in 1995. Since then, she has dedicated her career to meeting the needs of her clients. When you work with Deanna, you can expect her to provide legal advice...

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...

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...

James Goodnow is Fennemore’s President and CEO. Nearly two decades after starting his career at our firm as a file clerk, he became the youngest known chief executive of a major law firm in U.S. history. He holds his JD from Harvard Law School and dual management certificates from MIT, where he was an enrolled MBA student before pivoting to the University of Cambridge Business School (U.K.). He earned a BS at Santa Clara University, where he graduated first in his class. James is known for his thought leadership at the intersection of law and business. He has been featured on...

Justin G. Randolph has been an attorney since 2001. He studied immigration law at DePaul University College of Law in the late 1990s, where he was taught by experts in the field. A clinical asylum course at DePaul gave him his first hands-on experience with highly sensitive and personal cases. Justin worked for boutique law firms after law school, where he handled a wide range of immigration and employment discrimination cases. He established the Law Office of Justin G. Randolph in 2004. In the Chicago area, the firm handled immigration and deportation/removal cases, as well as employment discrimination and harassment...

Andrew Hughes represents railroad workers and other tradespeople diagnosed with cancer and leukemia following exposures to toxins such as diesel exhaust, asbestos and benzene-containing products. Before starting Hughes Law Offices LLC, Andrew defended railroads and asbestos manufacturers in FELA and product liability cases. His prior defense work makes him uniquely qualified to bring railroad cancer, mesothelioma, and benzene product liability claims on behalf of his clients. In proving up his cases, Andrew consults with top experts in industrial hygiene, epidemiology and occupational medicine. These experts help establish links between exposures to herbicides, diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, welding...

Inspired at a young age by family members practicing criminal defense law, John has had a lifelong passion for legal defense. John attended Indiana State University graduating Magnum Cum Laude in 2012 with a degree in criminology, criminal justice and political science. While attending Indiana State, John pursued his interest in flight by becoming a pilot. John then attended Indiana University Robert McKinney School of Law. While in law school, John was admitted to the Dean’s Tutorial Society and tutored other law students. John also participated in moot court, trial team and was awarded two scholarships for his extensive knowledge...

Shahina grew up in Skokie, Illinois and has lived in the Chicagoland area most of her life. She graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2018 with Juris Doctorate. Before coming to Driver Defense Team, she was a staff attorney for numerous judges at the Cook County Criminal Division for over two years. While in law school, Shahina clerked for one of the largest and most respected prosecutor’s offices in the United States – Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. As a 711 law clerk, she successfully litigated several bench trials and gained a wealth of experience in advocacy. She also clerked at...

Jason Wapiennik was in the field of Customs law even prior to his graduation from Ave Maria School of Law in 2008. From January 2007 until September 2009, he clerked for Edmund Maciorowski, P.C., a customs law firm and since leaving there, has been in private practice at Great Lakes Customs Law. Before attending law school, Jason began his undergraduate education at Purdue University and later transferred to Loyola University Chicago. At Loyola, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science graduating magna cum laude, and with departmental honors in political science. He is a member of Alpha Sigma...

Attorney Faraj is experienced in criminal defense, military law, personal injury, and business litigation. He is recognized nationally as a trial attorney, who has represented clients before state, military and federal courts. Mr. Faraj first began defending Armed Forces members in the United States Marine Corps. Since then he has began a private practice that focuses on defending service-members as a civilian attorney. If you need assistance with a legal matter, Attorney Faraj is diligent, decorated, and devoted to his clients.

Over twenty eight years of legal experience working with businesses on the issues they face daily during their business cycles. I act in the capacity of an outside general counsel assisting business owners to make smarter decisions, build stronger relationships and make and save money. I stress the importance of recognizing that correct legal answers alone do not necessarily translate into the correct best business decisions. I represent all types of businesses in every stage of their business cycles from start up through eventual sale. Specialties: The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialities in the...

Fred Nickl is a partner in Williams & Nickl, LLC concentrating on defending and consulting with licensed professionals before the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, and litigation involving licensed professionals and their businesses.

Fred has 20 years’ experience in counseling, litigation, and investigation and uses that experience to defend and consult with licensed physicians, nurses, dentists, real estate and mortgage brokers, private detectives, and other licensed professionals. He has litigated numerous claims on behalf of clients in the medical and health-related fields, and alarm fields, in both state and federal courts.

He is licensed to practice throughout every court in...

Margaret M. O'Connell is a Senior Partner at A. Traub & Associates. Margaret practices in all areas of family, criminal, traffic, and expungement law, and is a court-approved Guardian ad litem in DuPage, Kane and Kendall County. Margaret is a graduate of Bradley University 1986 and the John Marshall Law School 1991.

Margaret worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in DuPage County from 1991 to 1996. During her tenure as an Assistant State's Attorney, Margaret prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, felonies, and misdemeanors. From 1996 to 2003, Margaret was a Senior Assistant Attorney General. During her tenure as a...

Attorney Scott D. Lane is a managing partner of the reputable Chicago personal injury law firm, Lane & Lane, LLC. This boutique family-managed law firm specializes in medical and professional negligence, advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, promises and product liability, motor vehicle accidents, and other related practice areas that involve catastrophic injury and wrongful death. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude; from Southern Methodist University, Mr. Lane earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1988. In 2002, Attorney Lane was selected as a 40 Under 40 Attorney to Watch in Illinois....

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...

Licensed in South Carolina, Georgia and Illinois. Primary office located in Charleston, South Carolina. Practice areas include Business and Corporate Law. We offer a range of business legal services to business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals of most all industries.

Ken Levinson is the founding partner of the Chicago-based law firm Levinson and Stefani. For more than 20 years, Ken has represented disenfranchised clients against corporate giants and has been recognized by Leading Lawyers and Super Lawyers magazines as one of the top attorneys in Illinois, including the Super Lawyers Top 100 in 2012, 2016. He is the co-author of Litigating Major Automobile Injury and Death Cases, a two-volume reference series designed to help attorneys build strong cases for their clients by highlighting real-life case studies related to Major Auto Injury and Death. The book is published by AAJ Press/Thomson...

Over 15,000 5-Star reviews from our satisfied clients! Since 1977, Geraci Law has helped over 100,000 people get debt-free by filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. FREE LAWYER CONSULTATIONS, low/no attorney fees down to file. Over 35 offices near you, open late and weekends. Call today to talk, or meet with a lawyer for free. Find out why so many people Trust Geraci Law!

Katherine Levine graduated from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and was admitted into the Illinois Bar in 2008. Prior to becoming an attorney, she served four years active duty as a United States Marine and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 2001. After law school, Katherine worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney until August 2015 where she successfully tried hundreds of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. Today, she is in private practice defending individuals accused of serious state and federal crimes. Her experience as a prosecutor provides her insight into the strategies and...

I am a seasoned business litigation attorney based in Chicago and currently a Partner at Loftus & Eisenberg. I am dedicated to enhancing the firm’s commercial litigation practice through aggressive, results-driven advocacy for businesses and entrepreneurs. With over a decade of experience in complex commercial litigation, my focus areas include contract disputes, partnership and shareholder conflicts, real estate litigation, employment law matters, and business torts. My successful representation of clients in both federal and state courts has made me a highly sought-after litigator in the Chicago legal market. At Loftus & Eisenberg, I take a leading role in advising startups, mid-sized...

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.”...

Jeff is Consumer Law, Securities Law, Stockbroker & Investment Fraud, and Arbitration & Mediation. He has unique experience with a background in law, as well as econometrics, mathematics, and computer programming. Jeff holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Michigan and an LL.D. in Antitrust from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Additionally, he received a M.S. (ABD) in Industrial Organization and Econometrics from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jeff's academic and professional training have facilitated many successful outcomes in complex litigation cases. With more than 40 years of experience, Jeff is committed to providing exceptional legal...

Shelly Aberman obtained a B.A. in Political Science from Yeshiva University of New York in 1991, where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors. Next, he attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, the law school of Illinois Institute of Technology, where he earned a doctorate in Juris Prudence in 1994. Shelly is a tenacious trial lawyer who passionately advocates the interests of his clients. Since his admission to the bar, Shelly has handled a wide variety of personal injury matters, which he has successfully resolved through settlement, arbitration and trial. Shelly is a dedicated litigator who devotes his considerable experience and skill...

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...

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...

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).

LEAD ATTORNEY MARIO PALERMO
In this industry, where results count, attorney Mario Palermo has consistently delivered. Mr. Palermo’s 21 year track record speaks for itself. In both 2015 and 2016, Mr. Palermo was awarded the prestigious Litigator Award. The Litigator Award represents the highest honor in Trial Law, and stands as the nation’s most coveted symbol of litigation achievement. The Litigator Awards are based on actual “Verdict and Settlement” dollar achievement rather than peer popularity, making it the most rigorous and objective award ratings anywhere. Those awarded join an exclusive fraternity of Superstar Lawyers who have won Million, Multi-Million, and Billion...

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...

Mr. Boyd graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1975 and immediately began working for the DuPage County Public Defender's Office where he remained as a felony trial attorney for 10 years. During that period of time, Mr. Boyd also established a successful family law practice. In 1995, Mr. Boyd joined The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. as a trial attorney specializing in complex financial matters and custody trials. He has tried more than 150 domestic relations cases involving issues of business valuations, complex financial structures and custody and modification of custody issues.

Thirty-five years of being an effective litigator and dogged...

A trusted and highly experienced attorney, Joseph M. Laraia is a representative in the courts of DuPage, Kane, and Will Counties in Illinois. Mr. Laraia has been a trial attorney for more than 48 years and takes pride in serving clients in both criminal and civil cases. When Mr. Laraia first started our law firm back in 1966, attorneys had to be versatile enough to represent clients in all types of legal cases. Because of this experience, he has been successful in cases ranging from traffic violations to capital murder, as well as in family law and business litigation.
Experience Makes...

The Law Office of Marilyn A. Miller represents clients accused of criminal offenses in State and Federal Court. After decades of experience, we are ready to aggressively and effectively handle pretrial negotiations, bond hearings, arraginments. preliminary hearings, bench or jury trials, post-trial proceedings, and crminal appeals in defense of our clients. We are prepared to represent clients charged with all types of felonies and misdemeanors including serious traffic and DUI offenses. We are also available to counsel clients who are in police custody. Our law practice extends from Chicago to the greater Chicagoland area including the...

In 1987, after ten successful years as Chief Counsel to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Irene F. Bahr established the Bahr Law Firm, which in 2019 became the Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC. Our firm is one of the few firms in Illinois that concentrates its practice in advising and defending members of the Beverage Alcohol Industry, from the smallest mom and pop business, to large national and international companies who wish to sell, manufacture, or distribute alcohol anywhere throughout the State of Illinois.

Irene has a national reputation for handling these matters in Illinois. Whether you are buying an existing...

The Honorable John W. Demling (Ret.) was appointed as an Associate Judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County, Illinois in 1997. He served 21 years, 18 of which were in the Domestic Relations Division. From 2016 through 2017 he served as the Presiding Judge of the division. During his tenure in the Domestic Relations Division he presided over hundreds of divorce trials including custody, relocation and complex financial matters. In 2007 Judge Demling completed the Family Mediation Program presented by The John Paul Jones Group for the Illinois Supreme Court. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge...

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...

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...

Since 2007, Ms. Siedlarz has been practicing in the area of matrimonial law, representing clients in all aspects of family law, including dissolution of marriage proceedings, custody, child support, orders of protection, division of marital assets, post and prenuptial agreements, grandparents’ visitation rights as well as maintenance and division of retirement accounts. She is a compassionate attorney who takes the time to get to know her clients on a personal basis in order to achieve the best possible outcome in their cases. Attorney Marlene Siedlarz is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and she also speaks fluent...