Sparland Lawyers

I received by Undergraduate Degree from the University of Michigan in 1989, and my Law Degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1993. I have practiced law in Illinois since 1993. I opened my own practice in 2012, with a focus on family law/divorce, personal bankruptcy, and foreclosure defense. I have a common sense and non-adversarial approach to my cases. I attempt to resolve cases quickly and efficiently, keeping the cost as low as possible, while still working to ensure that my client’s rights are fully protected. I also believe in being honest with each client...

A creative and dynamic attorney, Jordan has recently returned to Illinois to join the litigation practice of Higgins & Burke after several years of practicing in Colorado. We are happy to have him aboard and pleased to announce this new addition to our practice. Prior to joining Higgins & Burke, P.C., Jordan was the lead associate attorney with the litigation practice of Goulart & Associates, P.C. in Boulder, Colorado. During that time, Jordan secured multiple favorable judgments and settlements for his clients in a wide array of legal matters including construction defect, real estate, life/viatical settlements, securities and commercial litigation. Leading up...

Ethan G. Zelizer is a nationally respected employment and labor law attorney, senior certified human resources professional and a certified labor relations professional, based in Chicago, Illinois. Ethan has extensive experience working with both management and employees. He has extensive experience representing and advising employers in various industries including financial services, aerospace, manufacturing, and food distribution, in all aspects of labor and employment law. He regularly appears before federal and state courts, federal arbitration panels, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Human Rights Commission. Ethan...

Attorney Jae Francis Lee is a principal attorney at Francis Law Center with four immigration law offices in Naperville, Chicago, Schaumburg, and Madison. He taught U.S. History for 22 years at the University of Wisconsin since he completed his Ph.D. in History from New York University in 2000. He has written several textbook and journal articles and lectured on legal topics relating to U.S. Immigration History. He also created IT, real estate, and catering companies and successfully managed them. His experience and background as a researcher, business owner, and professor have well prepared him to help professors, researchers, business owners,...

Chris clerked for a Federal District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois and a Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. He is now the chair of his firm's Appellate Practice Group. He has experience handling appeals in state and federal court in civil rights, employment law, medical malpractice, casualty/tort, products liability, workers compensation, insurance coverage, and professional liability.

Mark Rouleau
5301 East State Street, 215D
Rockford, IL 61108
815/229-7246

Has been an Illinois attorney for a quarter of a century. For the last nineteen years he has been a sole practitioner.

Markus May is a client focused and service oriented business attorney with knowledge in a broad range of industries. He enjoys helping clients complete business transactions including the purchase and sale of businesses. Mr. May previously worked as a business manager and is very familiar with business drivers and financial concepts and relates well to business owners and managers dealing with financial matters. Mr. May often represents clients desiring to start a new business on choice of entity decisions, forming entities and maintaining company compliance with regulatory requirements. He advises clients on how to avoid disputes and litigation and...

I have been assisting families in family law and estate planning for over 25 years.

Trisha focuses her private practice on individual and small business transactional and compliance matters. She handles all areas of real estate law, estate planning and probate matters, and business transactions and compliance. She believes in actively listening and communicating with her clients in order to help them accomplish their goals. Before starting her own practice, Trisha worked in both a large law firm and as general counsel for a small business. While working for one of the largest labor and employment law firms in the country, Trisha gained experience counseling employers on benefit law compliance and transactions....

Born: Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 1964 Education: Northern Illinois University, B.S., 1986, Northern Illinois University, J.D., cum laude, 1989 Practice Areas: Family Law; Personal Injury; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Dog Bites; Motorcycle Accidents; Workers Compensation; Slip and Fall; Products Liability; Truck Accidents; Aviation Accidents; Pharmacy Law Membership: Illinois State Bar Association; Kane County Bar Association. Admissions: 1989, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Miscellaneous Information: Delta Theta Phi. Member, Moot Court Society. Member, Northern Illinois University Law Review, 1988-1989. Biography: Mr. Jacobs graduated from Northern Illinois University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1986. Mr. Jacobs continued his education at...

Christina Willman earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2018. She received a degree in Agribusiness, Cum Laude, upon graduating from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2015. While in law school, Christina was a member of the Jessup International Moot Court team. In addition, Christina was a student attorney in the Clinical Law program, focusing on estate planning and general litigation. She also has completed legal internships at Vermeer Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment in Pella, Iowa, and the Michigan Farm Bureau.

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Rick Turner handles personal injury and wrongful death cases, with particular experience in trucking and motorcycle cases; as well as worker's compensation claims, throughout Northern Illinois.

I have always cared about children. I was once an elementary school teacher and a special education teacher. I have more than 35 years of experience in the family law area helping people through divorce, custody battles, disputes over parenting time, decision making, relocation, child support, domestic violence, and guardianship. I am constantly deepening and broadening my knowledge and skills in the family law field. I am flexible with your needs and can help you at any step in the process. Let me be the one you turn to as you go through a time...

Jim Grimaldli is a criminal defense attorney representing clients with cases involving DUI, Felony Charges, Misdemeanor Charges, Traffic Tickets, Criminal Expungements, and Driver's License Reinstatement. Mr. Grimaldi practices in Logan, Sangamon, McLean, and Dewitt Counties.

Occurrences with family and friends have cultivated Gabe’s deep-seated devotion to helping the injured. The son of a doctor and occupational therapist, Gabe received his parents’ work ethic, moral compass, and sense of duty towards the sick and injured. He began putting those traits to good use at UW-Madison. After graduating from college in 2014, Gabe landed a job as the Director of Business Development at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. He didn’t yet realize his capacity for law, but during this role Gabe witnessed the vast effect that a personal injury attorney can have on injured clients. Gabe continued to work full...

Emily Rapp is a partner at McSwain, Nagle, Giese & Rapp PC. Emily practices in Kane, DuPage and Kendall counties and additionally practices at the appellate court level. Emily is a past President of the Kane County Bar Association, and Past Chair of the Family Law Section for DuPage County Bar Association. She has presented at Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association and Kane County Bar Association seminars speaking on topics relating to family law. In addition to her speaking engagements, Emily has authored legal articles including a chapter on the Parentage Act for Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal...

Ms. Chavez counsels and represents employees in a variety of employment litigation matters including discrimination (based on age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion and sexual orientation), sexual harassment, Family Medical Leave Act and retaliation claims. Ms. Chavez has experience representing employees in front of administrative agencies (the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Department of Labor) and state and federal courts. The services offered by Ms. Chavez range from the review of a severance package, to representation at the administrative level--Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to legal representation in state and federal court.

Any Chicago-area resident who is suspected of a serious crime should have an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney working for them. A criminal conviction can carry life-changing consequences, including enormous fines, hours of community service, a permanent blot on your record, and even years in prison. Because of the seriousness of a conviction, you will want a lawyer who is very familiar with criminal law and is dedicated to an aggressive and clever defense for clients. Neil Adams, a criminal defense attorney in Joliet, IL, is just such an attorney. He has been practicing law in Illinois for 20...

Large corporations and small companies alike need sound legal advice from attorneys who understand the demands and dynamics of the business environment. Clients of Meyer Capel will find these skills in Matt C. Deering. A native of Champaign-Urbana and a graduate of Champaign Central High School, Mr. Deering holds a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Kentucky and a juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University. He joined the firm in 1994 as a law clerk and became a full-time associate in 1996 and a shareholder on January 1, 2003. In addition to handling general corporate and business law concerns,...

A former law clerk for Meyer Capel, Anna M. Benjamin joins the firm's roster of full-time associates with an impressive record of legal activities and accomplishments. Awarded her juris doctorate with honors (cum laude) by the University of Illinois in 2008, Anna distinguished herself with numerous honors throughout her law school experience. A Lincoln Scholar recipient from 2005-2008, she was twice named to the Dean's List (2006 and 2007) and served as a teaching assistant for the College of Law's "Introduction to United States Law" course in fall 2006. In addition, Anna earned "Distinction of Honors in Legal Writing and Analysis"...

As a former senior tax consultant for a former Big Eight accounting firm, and as a business school graduate, Todd Black is uniquely qualified to advise clients on legal matters pertaining to estate planning and administration and corporate/business planning. A practicing attorney in Champaign-Urbana since 1987, Mr. Black joined Meyer Capel in 1993. Mr. Black received a bachelor of science in finance from the University of Illinois in 1983. He attended the University of Illinois on a full athletic scholarship and served as co-captain of the U of I's varsity tennis team. He was the recipient of numerous undergraduate honors, including...

EXPERIENCE Mr. Davis’ experience ranges from helping clients with all issues surrounding their start-up venture to assisting clients with the purchase or sale of multi-million dollar businesses. Mr. Davis concentrates his legal practice in the following areas: •representing corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships in connection with the legal matters these entities may face, including initial incorporation/organization, corporate governance issues, drafting and review of contracts and leases, licensing issues, securities issuances and debt financing transactions •representing clients with the sale or purchase of a business, including due diligence matters and the negotiation and documentation of the transaction •representing clients, both lenders and borrowers, in debt...

Patrick Fitzgerald begin his legal career with Meyer Capel in 1987 as a law clerk. Now, as a shareholder with the firm, he concentrates in real estate. Mr. Fitzgerald is a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law where he earned a spot on the Dean's List. In 1986, he received a bachelor of arts in economics, also from the University of Illinois. Mr. Fitzgerald is a member of the Champaign County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Further, he is actively involved with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce as well as the Champaign...