Marissa’s main areas of concentration are family law matters such as Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Visitation and Adoption. Marissa is also a court approved family Mediator and Guardian ad Litem in Kane and Dekalb County. In addition, Marissa is one of the few Kane County foreclosure mediators for the sixteenth judicial circuit. Marissa is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association, DeKalb County Bar Association, Du Page County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association. In addition, Marissa is a member of the Kane County Family Law Committee.

Calabrese Associates, P.C., is a firm that offers caring and personalized legal services for people dealing with difficult family challenges.

Tricia D. Goostree knew from childhood that she wanted to become an attorney, and her passion for litigation took shape at Eastern Illinois University, where she competed on the mock trial team. She later attended the John Marshall Law School on a Dean’s Scholarship, won the Dean Fred F. Herzog Moot Court Competition, earned a Moot Court Executive Board scholarship, and competed in regional and interstate moot court competitions. During law school, she interned with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in the consumer fraud division and served as a Supreme Court Rule 711 clerk with the Chicago Legal Clinic, where her commitment to family law began through work involving divorce, Orders of Protection, child support enforcement, and appearances in Cook County’s Domestic Relations division. Since 2002, Tricia has devoted her practice exclusively to family law and domestic relations, handling complex financial disputes, maintenance, contested custody matters, and appeals throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and Cook counties. As the founder and managing partner of Goostree Law Group, P.C. in St. Charles, Illinois, she is known for combining courtroom strength with integrity, compassion, and a practical understanding of clients’ lives. Her service includes work with Prairie State Legal Services, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, pro bono clients, and the Kane County Bar Association & Foundation. She has also earned recognition as an Illinois Super Lawyer, Illinois Leading Lawyer, and Best Lawyer. Outside the office, Tricia enjoys baseball, competitive bodybuilding, traveling, and exploring new places with her husband. To schedule a consultation with Tricia, visit her website, or call 630-584-4800.

Frederick W. Nessler has been practicing law throughout the state of Illinois and the United States for over 40 years. Mr. Nessler opened his law office in Lincoln, Illinois in 1977. Since that time, he has helped injured people recover hundreds of millions in compensation for the injuries they suffered due to the negligence of others. Mr. Nessler has been awarded numerous recognitions throughout his career, each of which is detailed below. Nessler & Associates now has offices in Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Lincoln, Rockford, Sherman, and Chicago, Illinois. Nessler & Associates also maintains offices in Denver, Colorado; Ft. Worth, Texas; Orange, Texas; Largo, Florida; Tampa, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida.

David M. Carlson, an esteemed attorney with a notable track record, currently practices personal injury and criminal defense law. He has been duly admitted to the Illinois bar since 2001 and is also accredited to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern Districts of Illinois and Indiana since 2002 and 2003, respectively. His legal career is distinguished by his comprehensive understanding and application of the law, drawn from his extensive educational background and professional experiences. David completed his law degree at Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2001, where he was honored as the class speaker at his graduation. He furthered his education with a specialized program in 2021 through the Judicial Education Program at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia School of Law. This program enhanced his knowledge in a broad range of topics, including corporate governance, economics, and the responsibilities of corporate entities towards stakeholders. Before commencing his law studies, David earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona in 1993. Throughout his college years, he was an active member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and worked various jobs, from delivering packages for United Parcel Service to construction work, to finance his education. Alongside practicing law, David served in the judiciary from 2013 to 2024. He began as an Associate Judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County, Illinois, where he handled an array of cases spanning family law to civil and criminal matters. Following this role, he was promoted to Circuit Judge, presiding over the felony division, which is the second largest in the state. Under his leadership, his team was responsible for managing a robust caseload and integrating new technological systems into the court’s operations. He was commended for his diligence and commitment to justice and retention in a 2020 general election with a significant majority vote affirmed his position. Today, David is not only a member of the Illinois State Bar Association but also retains his connections with the Illinois Judges Association, reflecting his ongoing commitment to his professional community. His former role as both Associate Judge and Circuit Judge illustrates his depth of experience and leadership abilities, particularly in managing complex legal challenges and advancing judiciary processes. David M. Carlson is more than just a seasoned attorney; he is a respected professional who brings a wealth of knowledge, a deep sense of responsibility, and proven leadership to every case. He represents clients with both tenacity and integrity, ensuring that their legal needs are met with the highest standards of excellence.

A co-founder of the firm of Dudley & Lake, Mr. Dudley handles complex medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. He has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in counties throughout Illinois. Many of these results have represented the highest jury verdict or settlement in that county’s history. Mr. Dudley serves on the Executive Committee for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and is the Second Vice President for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers in the State of Illinois by both Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Cannon Lambert is a nationally recognized trial attorney who is dedicated to protecting the rights of his clients. Licensed since 1996, Attorney Lambert concentrates his practice on personal injury cases and civil rights litigation. Known as being a client-first attorney, Cannon works diligently to help individuals and families receive justified compensation. Located in Chicago, IL, Attorney Lambert and the lawyers at Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. work on a contingency fee basis. To schedule a free consultation, visit our website or call 312-977-1300.

Covid-19 IF YOU HAVE BEEN UNLAWFULLY TERMINATED OR DEMOTED DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, YOU MAY HAVE A VALID AND VALUABLE CASE. PLEASE CALL US FOR A FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION. ARE YOU THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RAPE? IF YOU ARE A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RAPE PLEASE CALL US FOR A FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION. WE HAVE RECOVERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE TAKEN A STAND AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE.

In 2007, Brett Appelman established Appelman Law LLC with the mission of safeguarding and advocating for the rights of individuals accused of crimes. Brett firmly believes that every defendant, regardless of the charges they face, deserves the most exceptional legal defense possible. Brett personally handles a wide array of complex cases at the highest level, including Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Aggravated Sexual Assault, and individuals charged with multiple DUI offenses. He has consistently achieved successful outcomes for clients facing various criminal charges, such as DUI, Aggravated Battery, Solicitation, Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Tax Evasion, and Felony Drug Possession and Delivery. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Brett pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. He then earned a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice before attending law school at the University of Wisconsin. Prior to establishing his own firm, Brett gained valuable experience as an Assistant Public Defender in Kane County, Illinois. During his time there, he defended numerous DUI and Driving While Suspended cases, as well as various misdemeanors. Additionally, Brett served as the defense attorney on the board of the Treatment Alternative Court, Kane County's specialized mental health court. In a remarkable accomplishment in 2016, Brett secured a Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity verdict in a felony trial, sparing his client from potentially facing decades of imprisonment for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. To schedule your free consultation with the Naperville, IL Criminal Defense Attorney, visit online or call 630-717-7801.

Sean Robertson is the Founder and CEO of Gateville Law Firm, a boutique practice specializing in sophisticated estate planning, tax strategy, business succession, and asset protection for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, real estate investors, and seniors. With over 22 years of experience and an advanced background in tax law and asset protection strategy, Sean is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and families who have built significant wealth protect their assets and transfer their legacy to the next generation. He loves what he does, and that passion comes from understanding that estate planning is not really about documents. It is about relationships, families, and being there when times get challenging—especially in moments of death, incapacity, or major life transition. Recognized as a Best Law Firm by Best of Fox Valley in both 2024 and 2025, Gateville Law Firm is proud to serve the Yorkville community. A Business-Minded Approach Unlike many attorneys who approach legal matters in isolation, Sean understands that business reality and practicality go hand in hand with legal strategy. He has worked extensively with entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors navigating growth, scaling, and operational challenges. His extensive background in commercial real estate transactions gives him unique insight into how to structure and protect diversified assets while supporting business growth. More importantly, he understands the emotional weight of protecting what you have built. Practical Experience When It Matters During the 2008–2013 recession, Sean worked extensively with small business owners, families, real estate investors, and commercial property owners facing unprecedented creditor pressures. He witnessed firsthand the fear families experience when an economic crisis threatens decades of accumulated wealth. His experience demonstrated that asset protection is not theoretical. It is essential, life-changing work that preserves not only wealth but also peace of mind and family security. Sean brings over seven years of significant experience in divorce and family law matters. His hands-on experience with contested asset protection, child support and spousal maintenance issues, and custody matters gives him practical insight into asset protection that goes far beyond planning theory. As a married father navigating a blended family, he personally understands the unique complexities blended families face. This experience informs his deep commitment to helping families navigate complexity with clarity and care. Comprehensive Wealth Planning At the core of Sean's practice is comprehensive estate planning using wills, living trusts, and strategic structures designed to avoid probate, minimize taxes, and ensure families' assets transfer smoothly. Sean knows the real work happens when he helps clients think through their deepest concerns: How do I protect my children's future? What happens if I am suddenly incapacitated? He develops personalized estate plans that address these human concerns—whether protecting assets for beneficiaries, providing for blended families, ensuring business continuity, or planning for long-term care needs. His deep expertise in tax planning and asset protection—including Series LLCs, land trusts, and holding companies—combined with his rigorous tax background enables him to develop comprehensive plans that preserve wealth and position it for growth and efficient transfer. A particular focus is protecting seniors from the devastating financial impact of long-term care costs. He works proactively to develop strategies that preserve life savings while ensuring access to quality care. Building Lifetime Relationships Sean is committed to being a trusted advisor throughout your life—the attorney you call when circumstances change, when you face difficult moments, or when you need guidance. His goal is to become someone you depend on—someone who genuinely cares about your family's well-being and financial security. A graduate of DePaul University College of Law and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sean brings both intellectual rigor and genuine care to clients' most complex challenges. He is committed to providing the expert guidance and reliable counsel you need to protect your wealth, grow your business, and leave a meaningful legacy for the people and causes you love.