I began my practice over 11 years ago with the determination to make things better for my clients and my community. That continues to be the focus of my practice, and I look forward to many years of future service to my neighbors and friends. I grew up in Libertyville, graduating from Copeland Manor, Highland Jr. High, and eventually Libertyville High School in 1997. I attended college at Miami University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business, Majoring in Marketing. During college, I was president and judicial board chairman of my college fraternity, and was involved with Associated Student Government, various volunteer, and civic groups, and volunteered as a tutor. I attended law school at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where I was active in Student Court, Moot Court Honor Board, the Tenant Information Project, the Human Rights Quarterly, and was a member of the Dean’s list. During this time I also volunteered as a youth mentor for the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, taught a High School class curriculum in civics called StreetLaw, and worked part-time for Kaplan tutoring and preparing students for the Law School Admissions Test. I continue to be actively involved in the community. Currently, I sit on the Board of Directors of the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, a non-profit tasked with improving housing options throughout Lake County. I am also currently exploring the formation of a non-profit to rehabilitate abandoned, nuisance homes to stabilize housing values and rid neighborhoods of dangerous and often unsanitary hazards. I am regularly appointed by judges to serve as guardian ad litem in guardianship matters. I currently live in Mundelein with my wife, Dr. Amanda R. Johnston, DVM (veterinarian), our son Merritt, and our dog and cat. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, keeping aquariums, bicycling, hiking, canoeing, golf, coaching youth lacrosse, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs. Effective, knowledgeable, and ethical criminal defense. Call for a free consultation. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. A homeowners association recently tried to enforce long-dormant deed restrictions (ignored for 30 years against) my client, in a discriminatory manner. The association followed none of its own rules, and was ostensibly re-formed solely to discriminate against my client by forcing the costly removal of valuable improvements on his land. A neighbor filed suit, arguing the dormant deed restrictions against my client, who is a person of color and substantially younger than others in the neighborhood, while ignoring blatant violations on their own property and at nearly every other property in the neighborhood. At the close of discovery, we successfully moved the court for summary judgment on the grounds that there was no way the suing neighbor could possibly prevail. My client’s property rights were maintained and the discriminatory action was thwarted. How did you build a successful practice? Mutual respect. I am proud of the fact that my firm offers free initial case consultations. This stems from a recognition that, while my time is valuable, so it the time of my clients. I strongly believe that initial case consultations, even if valuable to clients, should be free, because I do not believe it is fair to charge for time spent evaluating whether my firm can help a certain client, and in developing the plan of action. Once we come up with a plan of action, we communicate that proposed scope of work to the client so they can accept or reject our proposal for representation. Only after a client has agreed to hire us, based on the agreed plan, are legal fees assessed. This approach, based on mutual respect, has been crucial to our firm’s success. What should clients look for in a lawyer? It’s a personal relationship as well as a professional one. Clients must be comfortable with their attorney on both these levels. Clients should be sure that they can communicate well with their attorney. A knowledgeable professional in any field should be able to explain even the most difficult contexts in terms a layperson can readily understand. If you cannot understand your attorney, its probably not a good fit. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? The saying goes “A good attorney knows the law, a great attorney knows the judge.” This is true because the practice of the law is not only theoretical, but also practical and pragmatic. An experienced local attorney will typically know the courts, judges, clerks and local procedures better than an attorney who does not practice in the county on a regular basis. Thus, clients represented by local attorneys will reap numerous advantages in the course of a case. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? Typically, after learning enough about the case for a proper evaluation, I explain how the law works in the area, how I expect the law will be applied to their situation, and how my firm can potentially be of service to the person (and how we would charge for our services). Often, in order to properly conduct an initial consultation, I will need to review relevant paperwork, but with smart phones, scanners and teleconference software, it is increasingly easy to share documents electronically. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? Every case is different, but in general, I will need to know the parties involved in a case (so that I can make sure there is no conflict of interest), I will need to know the location of the case, and often it is very helpful to review relevant documents. Every case is different, and many of the documents I would need to review may be available online (like court records), so a potential client should not be dissuaded from calling to schedule a free consultation. If we need more information, we will let you know. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I do my best to build a strong professional network both within and outside of the legal community. If a potential client comes to my firm and, for whatever reason(s), the case is not a good fit for my firm, we do our best to match the client with the right attorney. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping people. This is how attorneys help ensure equal justice under law. That’s why good attorneys enter the practice. What are your other interests in addition to law? My hobbies include: canoeing, hiking, bicycling, golf, fishing, disc golf, and keeping aquariums. Causes that I support include Affordable and Just Housing, Medical Research, and community efforts to foster local, small businesses. Are you involved in your community? Yes, I am active in my local and state bar associations, the GLMV, and business networking groups. I am regularly appointed by judges in Lake County to serve as a Guardian ad Litem. I serve on the Lake County Chamber of Commerce as a Board Member. Additionally, I serve as President of the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County (AHC), which works closely with Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) to serve the joint mission of fostering safe, affordable housing in our area.

Attorney Todd A. Bresney is the Senior Partner at Kanoski Bresney, a Central Illinois personal injury law firm with eight office locations. Born, raised, and educated in Illinois, Todd is dedicated to helping individuals and families in his local community. Having previously worked for some of the largest insurance companies in the country, Todd decided to change his practice and help those who were injured by others or those who are being victimized by insurance companies. Todd diligently works with his clients in order to achieve legal success. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Bresney, visit his website, or call 217-523-7742.

In 1984, Attorney George Skuros established The Law Office of George J. Skuros, a private practice dedicated to family law and divorce. Having more than 30 years of experience, Attorney Skuros has the knowledge and skill required to help his clients navigate the legal system. Passionate about finding solutions that meet your specific needs, Attorney Skuros represents individuals and families from his two office locations in Chicago, IL. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Skuros, visit his website or call 312-427-7980.

Family law encompasses various areas such as Divorce, Child Support, Spousal Maintenance, and more. If you have any family-related concerns, reach out to Ann O’Connell Law, Ltd. for assistance. I concentrate my practice on family law and divorce cases in Cook County and Lake County, Illinois. My approach prioritizes resolving family disputes with integrity and in the best interests of children. I assist spouses in divorces, address parenting plan issues, securing child support and maintenance, drafting legal documents, and represent clients at court hearings and meetings. While all lawyers aim to help their clients, as a family law and divorce lawyer, I understand the complexities involved, including children's well-being, justice for abused spouses, and property division matters. With specific experience in property division, backed by a history in finance and accounting, and 17 years of financial industry experience, I personally handle financial investigations and analyses for clients. I also collaborate with top financial experts in the divorce field to provide support if needed during trials. Having successfully managed numerous divorces, with a strong track record in negotiating settlements and trial work, I am well-versed in mediation and familiar with divorce judges in Cook and Lake County, Illinois. I emphasize mediation and negotiation but am prepared for assertive advocacy in court if necessary. My team and I are available to address your questions, keep you updated on your case progress, and share all relevant information. I will brief you on strategies before proceeding, ensuring that decisions are made with your input. My fee structure is competitive and hourly, with a commitment to fair and reasonable invoicing. If appropriate, I will seek court orders for your spouse to cover the fees. My strong communication skills allow me to interact effectively and empathetically with clients facing emotionally challenging family law issues. For more details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact me online or by calling our office at 847-859-6222.

Have you been investigated for or charged with a serious criminal offense such as homicide, drug charges or a gun crime? Are you seeking experienced, energetic criminal defense that can free you of these overwhelming difficulties and return you to a normal life? Veteran Chicago criminal defense lawyer Hal M. Garfinkel is a former prosecutor with 20 years of experience. Past clients and opposing counsel in past criminal cases agree: Hal M. Garfinkel is the Chicago defense attorney you need to speak for your rights in state or federal criminal offenses. Contact the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel in Chicago, Illinois, for a free initial consultation. Mr. Garfinkel represents clients in Chicago and surrounding cities in DuPage County, Cook County and Lake County, and throughout Illinois. He is available 24/7 by phone, fax or e-mail.

Maxine Weiss Kunz is a Founding Member and Partner of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC and has been practicing 100% family law since 2005, including traditional litigation, adoptions, and collaborative law. She is certified for appointment as a Child Representative or Guardian ad Litem in Cook County. She is also certified to practice collaborative law in Illinois. Maxine is on the board of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and a certified mediator through the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Cook County courts. Maxine received her undergraduate degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she double-majored in Psychology and Telecommunications. She earned her J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law where she received a certificate in its Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution program, and was a member of Kent's prestigious Mock Trial Advocacy Team. Maxine Weiss Kunz has published numerous articles, lectured on various family law issues, and is a member of the following professional organizations: Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, Chicago Bar Association, and DuPage County Bar Association. She is substantially involved in the ISBA, including sitting on committees and frequent volunteer work. Maxine, her husband, son, daughter, and their pets live west of the city. In her "free time," she enjoys swimming, yoga, and dancing, and is involved in a monthly book club.

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 his clients. If you are dealing with divorce, family law, real estate or criminal matters, please call 630-844-8781 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.

Over 50 Years of Combined Legal Experience! Experienced Illinois Bankruptcy Law AttorneysAre your financial problems forcing you to consider bankruptcy?Are you overwhelmed by debt? You are not alone. Most people work hard to pay their bills. Unfortunately, medical bills, divorce, mortgage or credit card rate increases, and other expenses can cause debt to grow until it is out of control. The stress caused by debt can often be overwhelming affecting your family, friends and relationships. Many times, bankruptcy is the answer. Sometimes there are other options.At Bankruptcy Counselors LTD. and The Law Offices of John J. Lynch, our attorneys have more than 35 years of combined experience helping people in Lisle and the surrounding parts of Illinois, including Aurora and throughout DuPage County.We are available to handle all matters related regarding general bankruptcy issues, including both debt relief for individuals and debt relief for small businesses. Our lawyers can provide guidance on Chapter 7 bankruptcy, as well as Chapter 13 bankruptcy.We can help you understand and even prevent debt through our debt counseling and debt management services. We can provide foreclosure defense to people who have been threatened with the loss of their home. Additionally, we can help you understand the relationship between real estate and bankruptcy filing.We are a firm that is focused on working with our clients individually. Our attorneys will get to know you and your situation. We realize that each client is unique and each case has specific issues that we will take into account. The legal guidance we provide will be custom designed to meet your needs.We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Nicolas Nelson is a client-focused lawyer and the founder of NN Legal Group. Recognized as a knowledgeable attorney, Mr. Nelson concentrates his practice family law, business law, estate planning, real estate, and civil litigation. Understanding that the legal system can be complex and overwhelming, Attorney Nelson works with his clients in order to achieve legal success. Representing clients inside and outside of the courtroom, Attorney Nelson is passionate about protecting the rights of the individuals, families, and businesses that he works with. Located in Glen Ellyn, IL, Attorney Nelson and his team offer a free consultation. To learn more, visit his website, or call 630-474-0925. Hablamos Español.

Joel P. Brown is a skilled trial attorney who is committed to helping his clients achieve legal success. Recognized for his knowledge in divorce and family law, Attorney Brown represents many different individuals and families. Understanding the stress and complications that can arise from the legal system, Joel works with his clients to better comprehend their specific needs. In 2016, Joel and his partner established Reeder & Brown, P.C., a private practice dedicated to providing unmatched representation to those in need. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Brown, visit his website, or call 815-885-5980.