Judge McGing served as a Supervising Judge in the Law Division in the Circuit Court of Cook County where all personal injury cases are heard. He consistently received accolades from attorneys and litigants who appeared before him. While a Judge, he presided in the Jury Section in cases primarily consisting of medical negligence trials and also presiding over wrongful death, construction accidents, asbestos, auto, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, premises liability and slip and fall cases as well as many other personal injury matters. Judge McGing was one of five judges regularly chosen by attorneys and litigants to hear complex, medical negligence matters by agreement of the parties. Since leaving the bench, ​Judge McGing is a partner in the personal injury law firm of Miller & McGing Law. His partner Michael Miller has been a personal injury attorney for 38 years. Judge McGing's current cases have included 2024 settlements of $5 million and $1.5 million as well as his partner's $1.2 million settlement this year. Judge McGing was named the 2019 Lawyer of the year by the Celtic Legal Society of Chicago. “Judge McGing is respectful…well prepared… and …is one of the best judges in the Circuit Court of Cook County.” Judicial Performance Evaluation Program

Jim and Caroleann founded Coogan Gallagher in 2022 after working together at the Dwyer & Coogan firm. After these many years of experience, Jim understands that being injured does not make you a victim, but it can leave you feeling vulnerable, anxious, and uncertain about what to do next. Jim is an experienced trial lawyer who is dedicated to understanding the details of your losses and working to secure your peace of mind once again. It is what fuels his enthusiasm for the hard work it takes to see a case through to securing a jury’s verdict–the ultimate statement of truth in the civil justice system. Jim practices in Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois on behalf of his clients.

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.

Julia has over 20 years of experience representing diverse business industries and individuals as debtors in reorganizations, bankruptcy, and debt restructuring. She has been lead and co-counsel in Chapter 11 bankruptcies on behalf of real estate developers, hospitality companies, commercial landlords, manufacturers, fabricators, logistic companies and high net-worth individuals. She also has significant experience representing lenders and creditors in bankruptcy court and state court, including stay modification litigation, adversary actions, priority lien disputes and commercial collection and foreclosure, as well as contractors and homeowners in construction and mechanic’s lien litigation. Julia has in-depth experience drafting contracts, leases, business sales transactions and settlement agreements with an eye toward anticipating potential litigation and protecting her clients. Additionally, she represents condominium and homeowners’ associations in litigation, collection, negotiations with vendors and disputes with utilities and municipalities. Julia is experienced with drafting estate plans and representing estate and beneficiaries in probate litigation. As a seasoned attorney, Julia handles all aspects of litigation including investigations, pleadings, discovery, pre-trial matters, trial, and if appropriate, settlements and/or appeals of trial decisions. Julia is a frequent speaker with the Illinois State Bar Association on topics in Bankruptcy, Mechanics Lien and Collection Strategies. Julia is the Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Practice, and a third year honoree for the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers® list.

Herb Elesh is a Immigration Lawyer Practicing in all of Chicagoland. He is active and in good standing within the Illinois State Bar Association. Questionnaire: Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. On a Provisional Waiver case I-601 we were able to have USCIS Chicago District Office approve the extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse which led to an approval for the greencard for a husband who entered on a false passport. His name was misrepresented on his passport and USCIS demanded a waiver of the misrepresentation. Based on the wifes medical records and detailed affidavits from myself and my paralegal and affifavits from the Petitioner and beneficiary he was approved for the I-601 and greencard. How did you build a successful practice? mostly word of mouth from satisfied families and clients; What should clients look for in a lawyer? honest, experienced and professional. should be updating himself/herself on laws/regulations/ changes to courts and USCIS and embassies How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? not as important as new laws and regulations at embassies and USCIS and NVC What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? potential forms of relief such as work permits or green cards or U visa for crime victims or waivers What information do you need in a free phone consultation? potential forms of relief such as work permits or green cards or U visa for crime victims or waivers What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? value-driven law office with almost 20 years of experience but fees as more affordable given the same level of experience and professionalism of the more expensive downtown law offices What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? having approvals which reunite families here in the US and enable them to build their lives here without fear of deportation. What are your other interests in addition to law? social justice for immigrants in USA including voting and participating in our democracy and helping those new citizens learn English and vote Are you involved in your community? offering pro bono help in the community for U.S. citizen applicants

Nicholas C. Giordano is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience. He has a proven track record of success in negotiating settlements and winning trials. He is skilled in all aspects of criminal law, including plea bargaining, jury trials, bench trials, preliminary hearings, grand jury hearings, and appeals. Nick is also a member of several bar associations and has served on the board of directors of the NWSBA since 2002. In addition to his legal practice, Nicholas Giordano is also actively involved in the legal community. He is a member of the NWSBA, Justinian’s, and the Chicago Bar Association. He has served on the board of directors of the NWSBA since 2002 and has been co-chairman of the NWSBA Fund Raising Committee for five years. Furthermore, he was a past chairman of the NWSBA Criminal Law Committee. Nick is an active participant in all Bar Association dinner meetings, social events, Moot Court and committees.

Alexander Gruzmark immigrated to the United States in 1978 from Lvov, Ukraine. After earning his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law, Alexander established Gruzmark Law, Ltd. in 2001. Concentrating on personal injury representation, Attorney Gruzmark is dedicated to helping injury victims receive justified financial compensation. Having more than 20 years of legal experience, Attorney Gruzmark also practices in medical malpractice, workers' compensation, criminal defense, and business transactions. Located in Glenview, IL, Alexander Gruzmark serves clients throughout Cook County, Lake County, and DuPage County. To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Gruzmark, visit his website or call 847-729-7660.

Since 1985, Riccardo A. DiMonte has been our most active trial lawyer. He concentrates in commercial law matters, contract disputes, construction law, mechanic’s liens, mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcy, civil rights cases and corporate and partnership dissolutions. He has tried multi-million-dollar lender liability and lottery prize cases to verdict, handled numerous state and federal court appeals and regularly practices before the American Arbitration Association. Riccardo is a current member of RD’s Executive Committee. Riccardo has lectured at continuing legal education seminars on commercial law and bankruptcy topics.

Carol Sales concentrates her practice in bankruptcy, insolvency matters, and commercial litigation. She has approximately 20 years of experience representing a wide variety of clients in all stages of litigation. Carol has also represented debtors, creditors, and parties in interest in numerous Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy cases for individuals and businesses. She takes a personalized approach to counseling clients to achieve their goals in a cost-effective manner. Carol has been recognized as a Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyer from 2021 to the present and Emerging Lawyer from 2018 to 2020 in the practices of Bankruptcy/Workouts and Business Litigation across the Chicagoland area. She co-authored the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s (IICLE) chapters on the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019; Representing Clients in Bankruptcy Cases; Chapter 11 Cases for Individuals and Small Business Debtors; Mechanics Liens in Bankruptcy; and Filing a Chapter 7 Petition and Exemptions. She obtained her J.D. cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. During law school, Carol was a lead articles editor for the John Marshall Law Review and a Distinguished Scholar Award recipient. She worked as an extern in the Circuit Court of Cook County for various judges hearing foreclosure cases and received an LL.M. in real estate law, with honors. Carol has been recognized as a 2026 honoree for Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers® List. This is Attorney Sale’s third year receiving this honor. She also was selected as a honoree for Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Women of Law.

Eric G. Patt has a broad-based transactional practice, with a focus on contracts, business acquisition, real estate, and employment-related issues. He also has extensive experience representing municipal governing bodies in the Chicago area, and in counseling their various boards and commissions in municipal law and land use issues. Additionally, Eric has extensive litigation experience, having conducted numerous bench and jury trials in state and federal courts, with substantial appellate experience. Eric is Chair of the Firm’s Municipal Law Practice Group and is actively involved in all aspects of RD’s municipal client representation. He also is the author of Chapter 9: “Representing a Home Rule Municipality” for IICLE’s Municipal Law: Contracts, Litigation, and Home Rule, 2024 and 2020 Editions.