Waukegan Lawyers

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...

Karrsten Goettel concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, real estate development, leasing, zoning and land use, business, merger and acquisition transactions (sales and purchases of assets and/or stock), corporate and business law and estate planning and administration. He has practiced among our firm's attorneys since 1997 and as a partner since 2002.

Mr. Goettel currently serves on the Board of Commissioners of the St. Charles Park District (where he is President), as a member of the St. Charles Housing Commission and as a Board Member of the Celtic Sports Foundation. From 2000 to 2002, he...

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...

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...

Tax planning, Tax disputes, business planning, tax, estate planning and estate administration and litigation practice in Oak Brook, Illinois

Kari Cornelison is a highly experienced divorce attorney and court-certified mediator with over 20 years of courtroom expertise. She specializes in collaborative and cooperative divorce law, offering clients compassionate and effective legal solutions. Admitted to the Illinois and Florida bars, Ms. Cornelison holds a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School and has extensive training in mediation and family law. A co-founder of Illinois Cooperative Divorce Lawyers and a fellow of both the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, she is dedicated to resolving family disputes with minimal conflict. She is also a contributor...

Michael V. LoCicero has practiced law in DuPage County for over three decades. Michael's dedication to the community includes volunteering in local education, sports, and government programs. As a seasoned attorney, he believes in personal service at a reasonable price and dedication to cases from start to finish. Michael values open communication with his clients by keeping them fully informed about case matters, providing advice, and ultimately helping clients make the best, fully-informed decisions possible. Michael's problem solving and cost-effective approach allows him to reach client goals as quickly as possible at a reasonable rate.

Danya is an Illinois business attorney focusing her practice on mergers and acquisitions and franchise law. When working with her clients, she not only focuses on the legal aspects but the human and practical impact on her clients' lives as they make major decisions that affect them and their families.

Walter R. Jackowiec III has been practicing law for 30 years and founded Walter R. Jackowiec III, P.C. in 1984. He concentrates his practice in divorce, family law, orders of protection and domestic violence matters in the counties of DuPage, Kane, Will, Cook and Kendall Counties. He has extensive litigation experience and has litigated numerous trial and hearings involving complex issues. His experience in trial work ranges from domestic violence trials, order of protection hearings, divorce trials, child support and custody hearings.

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...

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...

Robert T.C. Kay, an established attorney in DuPage County since 1986, is the go-to legal counsel for individuals, businesses, and families across Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, and various other DuPage County communities. With a wealth of experience across diverse legal domains, he offers clients the advantage of streamlining and simplifying their legal affairs. Mr. Kay's consultation services encompass a wide range of areas, including Wills, Trusts, and Estates, Business Organization and Operation, as well as Commercial Real Estate Transactions. With over 35 years of expertise, he provides sound advice to individuals, business owners, and government officials. His focus extends to preserving and...

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...

David W. Clark is the founder and owner of the Law Office of David W. Clark, P.C., in Wheaton, Illinois. As a sole practitioner in the firm, Mr. Clark has extensive knowledge in the areas of personal injury, workers’ compensation and general civil and small business litigation. With more than 30 years of legal experience devoted to personal injury law and those who have been injured in the workplace, Mr. Clark is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Illinois, and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court since 2005. He is a Board Member of...

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...

Nancy Kasko earned her Bachelor Degree from Northern Illinois in Finance. Early in her career Ms. Kasko worked in the finance industry for Fortune 500 companies such as Hewlett Packard and Westinghouse Electric. Yearning for a career in law, like her mother before her, Ms. Kasko returned to school to fulfill her ambition and earn her law degree.

Ms. Kasko attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago where she attained her Juris Doctorate. During law school, Ms. Kasko was a teaching assistant at the John Marshall Law School and was a paralegal with Davi Law Group, LLC in Wheaton. Upon...

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,...

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.

Michael T. Sanderson joined Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC in August of 2021, where he practices in the areas of family law, civil litigation, employment law, personal injury law, including medical malpractice cases, and Veteran’s rights. Prior to joining MKFM, Michael worked as an Assistant Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, where he defended the agency in claims of employment discrimination and medical malpractice as well as administrative actions involving nursing homes and medical providers/suppliers. Michael began working in family law while still attending law school through his work with several Chicago-based law firms. He...

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...

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...

Jim Kane is a seasoned tax professional with more than 30 years of experience working with large and mid-sized companies on tax and incentive matters throughout the United States. Throughout his career, Jim has worked collaboratively with his clients to help them achieve significant financial benefits. Early in his career, Kane benefited from a long career with Arthur Andersen, gaining great training and experience, and developing a strong focus on developing and implementing processes to ensure service delivery quality and consistency. After launching Andersen’s Chicago property tax practice, Kane was instrumental in developing standards and processes for Andersen’s...

I graduated from the University of Kentucky as a philosophy and political science double-major. I then worked in the financial services department of a Fortune 500 company for two years prior to attending The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. After obtaining my Juris Doctor, I worked as an associate attorney at a general civil litigation firm with a focus on personal injury and insurance law. There I settled countless cases for my clients, both individual and corporate. As a litigator, I obtained favorable outcomes through mediation, arbitration hearings, and bench and jury trials. Building on that experience, in 2014...

Timothy Richardson has been exposed to the law for virtually his entire life. His uncle served as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, and his aunt served as a federal administrative judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He has followed in their footsteps with same determination and commitment to professional excellence, integrity, and respect among his peers in the legal community. In 2002, at only 34 years old, Tim received the distinguished honor from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, being chosen as one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch." He has had verdicts...

Attorney Peter Sullivan is a quiet fighter. He grew up on some pretty mean streets but, since being accepted into private high school in Jersey City, he has had a passion for intellectual pursuits, including languages, arts, world history and the law. He joined the business of the law as a proofreader for some of the best antitrust lawyers in America. Based on his insatiable engagement with content, he graduated to paralegal (without the need for paralegal training) and wound up managing their antitrust litigation office. Needing to be convinced that lawyers can actually do good, before attending law school...

Mr. Gountanis joined Therman Law Offices, LTD. directly upon completing his summer externship and graduating law school in November, 2010. Gountanis became one of Mr. Therman’s quick understudies, learning the art of aggressive negotiation, arbitration as well as trying cases to favorable verdict.

Mr. Gountanis received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Keller Graduate School of Management - Lincolnshire, and his Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School at Grand Rapids, MI. He is admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago Bar Association (CBA) and...

Mr. Garcia recently completed his externship with Therman Law Offices and transitioned into the role of associate attorney. He passed the bar in August 2017. He was a law clerk with the firm for 2 years prior to becoming an attorney. Garcia focuses his practice in personal injury and workers’ compensation. Trained personally on the ‘ins and outs’ by Mr. Therman, he continues to grow and learn how to aggressively represent those in need.

Mr. Garcia received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Anthropology, at the The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Juris Doctorate...

Elizabeth Fink focuses her career on the practice of Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Guardianships, and Medicaid Planning. She has been practicing law in Chicago, IL since 2009 and has represented clients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University and spent a semester of study at Justus-Liebig-Universität in Giessen, Germany. She received her Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL and was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in May 2009. Elizabeth is a member of the National Academy of...

Hipple Law, P.C. specializes in bankruptcy and estate planning cases. We handle Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases throughout the Chicagoland area for individuals and small businesses. We serve clients located in Kane, DuPage, Cook, Will and Lake counties. BANKRUPTCY: Ms. Hipple's education and prior work experience sets her apart from other bankruptcy attorneys. She has extensive financial services industry experience, including working closely with numerous types of financially distressed small businesses. Ms. Hipple's education also includes an MBA, which is unique for the majority of attorneys. She has also handled numerous divorce cases which provides her...

Benjamin Lawson is a former prosecutor who now runs his own practice handling cases ranging from criminal defense to DUI defense and traffic tickets. He also handles personal injury cases and advises small businesses. He practices primarily in Kankakee County, Will County and Cook County.

C. Dean Matsas [known as "Dean"], is the owner of "C. Dean Matsas & Assoc., PC," also known as: MakeItBetterLaw. Born and raised in Chicagoland, to Greek immigrants, Dean understands and appreciates the day-to-day struggles people and their families face. He is a licensed attorney for over 30 years and has extensive experience and knowledge of the law, concentrating in the areas of injury law and debt relief or bankruptcy, helping 100's of clients and their families over the years, to either receive compensation or to get rid of debt. He focuses on giving his clients personal and individualized...

Eric J. Vogel was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2008 after graduating from John Marshall Law School. He served as Assistant Public Defender in the McHenry County Public Defender’s Office for over 10 years. In his time at the Public Defender’s Officer, he handled cases in several areas of the law, including, misdemeanor and felony criminal, juvenile abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and specialty courts. Mr. Vogel has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and History from Arizona State University in 2002.

Attorney Vogel understands that every client’s...

My practice is focused on helping the individual. I represent individuals hurt at work or hurt by the fault of someone else who has been negligent. I help them navigate the often puzzling path against the mammoth insurance companies of the world and keep the bill collectors at bay while the client recovers from their injuries. I have tried numerous cases and am a Federal Trial Bar member. I also help individuals affected by an arrest or traffic ticket to get their life back to normal and assist them to retain their license. Last, I help individuals who have been affected by...

Welcome to the Law Office of Nirav S. Patel, P.C. We pride ourselves on being a different type of law firm; the kind of firm that focuses on the needs of its clients and understands their bottom line. We incorporate creative problem solving in order to achieve your goals. Our mission is to provide excellent legal services to each and every one of our clients. We are constantly in the pursuit of perfection while representing our clients. Each of you can expect highly personal service with regular interaction with an attorney.

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...

Liz has presented seminars to divorce recovery groups, counselors, lawyers, hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies and was an instructor for several years for a personal injury trial practice course presented by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and classes for medical practitioners to area hospitals and staff regarding how to respond to legal inquiries and how to avoid malpractice. She has also presented seminars for the Illinois State Bar Association including a recent basic family law seminar.

Liz tried several cases to juries including a case that was decisiv with respect to the use accident reconstruction experts, evidence of...

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...

I am an immigration attorney that practices exclusively U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law. As an Associate Immigration Attorney, I handle a variety of immigration matters from Waivers for Undocumented Immigrants, VAWA/other Humanitarian Relief Petitions to Employment based Petitions. We have an extremely high approve rate due to our focus on building personalized and approvable immigration strategies for our clients' unique situation.