West Chicago Lawyers

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...

Prior to entering private practice as an attorney in 2015, Mike worked at the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office for over 11 years, handling all types of felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases. Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Mike served as a clerk at the State's Attorney office conducting motion writing and legal research. As an Assistant State's Attorney, he has prosecuted thousands of cases including traffic, DUI, financial crimes, Drug crimes and Assaults and Batteries and other violent crimes. Mike served in the Traffic, Misdemeanor, Juvenile and Felony Division. He has conducted hundreds of trials and hearings involving traffic...

Chuck’s law practice includes both family law and civil litigation. Equally at home in divorce court as he is in front of a jury protecting his clients' rights, Chuck enjoys the challenges which arise from doing both kinds of work.

Chuck is proud of his appointment as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Academy Fellows are widely recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with the highest level of knowledge, skill, and integrity.

There is no substitute for preparation, and a great deal of Chuck’s daily schedule includes meetings with clients and staff. Availability to clients...

Ted Donner (Attorney) started his legal studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1987 after a ten-year stint as the box office manager of The Second City in Chicago. His professional experience since then includes work as a law clerk for Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., a summer internship at Welsh & Katz, Ltd., and work as an associate with Rock, Fusco, Reynolds & Garvey, Ltd. Before opening Donner & Company Law Offices LLC, he was an Associate and then Of Counsel to the litigation practice group at Altheimer & Gray, where his practice was concentrated in insurance...

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...

Kathleen C. Chavez, founding partner of Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC, earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1998 from Northwestern University School of Law. Chavez is a nationally recognized civil litigator with a reputation for obtaining exceptional results in challenging cases. She is a results-driven, highly focused “problem-solver” with an unmatched ability to strategically frame critical issues, develop innovative solutions and negotiate outstanding results for her clients. She is admitted to practice law in California, Illinois and Washington D.C., as well as various federal courts, the Federal Trial Bar and the United States Federal Court of Claims.

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. ...

Attorney Tyler Neher joined the McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp team as an associate attorney after spending time working as an associate at a family law firm in DuPage County, where he focused his practice on family law matters, including divorce, allocation, or parental responsibilities, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. Prior to making his return to the family courts, Tyler was an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office in their domestic violence unit. Through his work at the State’s Attorney’s Office, Tyler had the unique opportunity to gain significant trial experience early in his legal career. Tyler is...

Craig S. Mielke is a founding partner at Foote, Mielke, Chavez and O'Neil, LLC and limits his practice to workers' compensation, personal injury, eminent domain, law enforcement, and complex litigation.

In 1987, James M. Roche began his legal career as a defense lawyer. In 1998, he followed his underlying passion for personal injury law and began working as a personal injury lawyer. He approaches each case with compassion and legal expertise that has enabled him to settle and try many cases. James focuses on all aspects of personal injury litigation and is licensed to practice in Illinois, the United States District Court and the Northern District of Illinois.

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...

Steve is an active trial attorney and is admitted to practice in Illinois and several Federal Courts. Steve has represented clients in a variety of state and federal courts in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Steve’s practice areas include Catastrophic Loss Litigation involving Subrogation and Defense, Insurance Coverage Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Real Estate Development and Property Leasing, Defending Complex Class Action Claims under the Truth In Lending Act and Consumer Fraud Statutes, as well as some Appellate Practice in these areas. In addition, Steve is...

After obtaining his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 1989, Christopher Theisen launched his legal career with CNA Insurance Companies in Chicago as a staff attorney. In 1994, he entered private practice and then founded Theisen & Roche, LTD., with partner James Roche in 1999. Christopher focuses on all aspects of personal injury litigation, and is licensed to practice in Illinois and the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois and Central District of Illinois.

Mitchell M. Peskin is an Attorney at Law in Illinois, and a partner in the Law Firm of Millon & Peskin, Ltd. His practice is dedicated to the rights of injured parties with a focus in the areas of workers’ compensation and personal injury. Mr. Peskin also has vast experience handling residential real estate transactions. FIGHTING FOR OUR CLIENTS For the past 17+ years, Mr. Peskin has honed his skills as a work injury and personal injury trial attorney, primarily dealing in the area workers’ compensation. Mr. Peskin works tirelessly on behalf of his clients to provide the highest level...

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...

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

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...

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.

Matt Karstens is an Associate Attorney at McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp., P.C. based out of Wheaton, Illinois. Matt has extensive courtroom experience gained from his time spent as an Assistant State's Attorney in Kane County, Illinois. Matt specializes in Criminal Defense (Traffic, DUI, Domestic Violence, Misdemeanor, and Felony) and Family Law matters (divorce, parentage, allocation of parental decision making making and parenting time, child support, spousal support, relocation, orders of protection, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements.

You are getting divorced, and you want to save your kids, your money, and your sanity. We understand your needs. We help smart, successful people get divorced efficiently while helping stay sane during tough times. Satisfied clients have referred us to friends and family since 1994. I'm a divorce lawyer with over 20 years of experience. My bestselling divorce guide, I Just Want This Done, has received rave reviews on Amazon.com and in the media. My law firm, STG Divorce Law, has been in business over 25 years. Our firm has a large team of skilled and empathetic divorce lawyers....

5 Reasons to Consider Me as Your Tax Lawyer 1) I am a 20+ year Attorney, Former IRS agent, Retired CPA, and national speaker on tax problems. I handle serious business tax matters, with IRS tax debt greater than $100,000. I also handle tax audits and investigations with legal issues or "sensitive" facts. 2) My fees are affordable, and realistic. As your tax lawyer, I am sensitive your financial situation. 3) My specific services include: • Settlements for Business, Payroll and Sales Taxes • Release of IRS Levy on Business Bank Accounts • Representation in IRS Criminal Investigations • Audit Challenges in the U.S. Tax Court • Tax from Death, Divorce, Sale...

Jeremy Wang of Oak Brook, Illinois, is a successful trial-tested litigation lawyer. 630-712-9264. Free 20 minute consultations. Du Page County, Cook County, Will County Attorneys is a division of the Wheaton law firm, J. Wang Law, LLC.

When he first started his legal career, Jeremy often heard complaints due to the lack of attention clients received from attorneys they hired in the past. These well established lawyers, although successful, may have been so busy - they did not have the time to give each client the attention they needed. As a young attorney, this is how Mr. Wang built his...

Mark Mathys is a personal injury attorney and co-founder of Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers. With his firm of Naperville personal injury lawyers, he handles all types of injury cases, including vehicle accidents, bus accidents, child accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, workplace accidents, and other incidents where injuries result from intentional or negligent actions of others. Mr. Mathys also handles wrongful death claims for families of deceased accident victims and workers’ compensation claims for workers who have been injured in the workplace. Mr. Mathys is a native of Chicago. He has also lived in the Chicagoland area for most...

John S. Fotopoulos, former Cook County judge serving at the Daley Center in Chicago, established his law firm on two simple firm principals: to have competitive rates allowing everyone to afford the advice they need, and to have legal counsel that is always available for clients. John takes immense pride in his work, fulfilling a great deal of credits in continuing education seminars to ensure compliance and competency. In addition, his countless hours of legal research ensures that he stays ahead of the competition and is fully educated to take care of clients' legal needs. John's practice ensures that you are...

Expert Advocacy in Employment Law: Attorney Cynthia Pietrucha ========================================================== I champion the rights of employees and guide employers through the legal intricacies of the workplace. With a decade of dedicated legal service, I am a seasoned employment attorney with expertise in drafting and negotiating separation agreements, litigating medical leave and ADA employment cases, and negotiating remote work terms, even prior to COVID-19! **Your Advocate for Fair Severance and Medical Leave Rights** Navigating the end of an employment relationship or grappling with medical leave can be daunting. As an expert in separation negotiations, I ensure that my clients—whether employees or employers—receive the most favorable terms...

My law enforcement background as an investigator, instructor, evidence technician and police officer provides a key advantage to clients of my criminal defense practice. I have practiced law in Illinois for 27 years, helping thousands of clients obtain the best possible outcome when facing criminal charges, from DUI and traffic offenses to serious felonies such as drug charges and sex crimes. Our law firm, serving DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties, also offers strong advocacy in divorce, custody and related issues, as well as and personal injury, real estate, and wills and trusts. For experienced, personalized representation in your legal...

When you’re injured in a car accident or through another situation involving the negligent actions of another party, you want to put your case in the hands of a lawyer who has the knowledge and experience necessary to fight for you to obtain the compensation you deserve. I have been practicing personal injury law since 2000, and have dedicated my career to improving the situations of individuals and families affected by various matters, including car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and more. With nearly 20 years of experience representing clients in the Chicago area, I am dedicated to helping you...

The most gratifying part of practicing matrimonial law is to be able to give guidance and help people through one of, if not the most, difficult times of their lives. My goal in most cases is to help clients resolve their issues in an amicable manner to a positive resolution, as the majority of cases do not proceed to trial. However, there are certain cases that cannot be settled for a multitude of reasons. As such, I am always prepared to litigate the issues. I maintain the mindset of a litigator while always being open to...

To seek out and maintain justice is Russell Haugen's goal as an Illinois personal injury attorney. Russell Haugen attended Illinois State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Russ worked as a paralegal for Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices. As a paralegal, he was able to learn a great deal about the many intricacies of both workers' compensation and personal injury law. This further convinced him to pursue a law degree. Russell Haugen attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. There, he was a volunteer for the Lansing Teen Court, working...