Merna Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

Neda Nozari is an attorney and mediator with her office based in Evanston, Illinois. Neda’s experience includes but is not limited to the practice areas of business, employment, real estate, fair housing and education. She has experience mediating a vast range of legal, personal and organizational issues. She is a highly skilled negotiator and a trained and proficient facilitator of communication.

She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and later from The John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctorate. Her greatest skill is being able to understand the needs and interests of parties and to...

Patrick Ryan Dunn Sullivan was raised in Belleville, Illinois. He is a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Althoff Catholic High School. In 2005, Mr. Sullivan earned degrees from Southeast Missouri State University in Pure Mathematics (B.S.) and Anthropology & Foreign Languages (B.A.). He is proficient in Spanish, French, and Korean. In 2012, he graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Mr. Sullivan began his career as an Assistant Public Defender in St. Clair County, Illinois, where he served for 6 years as the office’s first Director of Litigation. During that time he was lead counsel in dozens...

I provide advice and counsel to professionals and businesses in a wide variety of industries. I realize that solutions to many problems require the involvement of others who provide counsel to my clients, and as a result, I often works alongside a client’s accountant, financial consultant, or other professional.

I am an active litigator, and also on employment issues, insurance coverage disputes and business law, including contractual disputes and construction issues. I have many years of experience in analyzing and evaluating contractual, statutory and regulatory rights and obligations in matters that affect most small to mid-size business. ...

David T. Arena joined Di Monte & Lizak in 1996. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Loyola University of Chicago in 1993, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society and recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. David received his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law with honors in 1996. In 1995, David took first place in the Cleveland Marshall College of Law Moot Court Competition, where he received the Dean’s Moot Court Award for Outstanding Advocate and the Hugo Black Award for Outstanding Oralist. David participated in the 1995 ABA...

Mr. Burdick is an expert patent, trademark and copyright attorney who specializes in intellectual property law of all types, including litigation and prosecution for businesses and individuals alike. He is frequently retained by other patent attorneys for litigation matters due to his incredible array of corporate and private law experience and is nationally known as an advocate for independent inventors and start-up businesses. He runs one of the world's best intellectual property websites www.burdlaw.com and in keeping it current, keeps himself up to date in all areas of intellectual property practice. He has been a Registered Patent...

Lance R. Minor is a lawyer with over twenty years of experience representing clients in both personal and business matters in the federal and state courts located in the Chicago area. Mr. Minor's practice primarily consists of sophisticated civil lawsuits involving both personal and business matters. He has trial, appeal, and arbitration experience in state and federal courts. Mr. Minor was named to Illinois SuperLawyers for 2012.

Attorney Robert J. Pavich received his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in 1969 from Harvard College. In 1975, he received his Juris Doctorate degree magna cum laude from the DePaul University College of Law. Attorney Pavich worked as the lead trial counsel at the Hague War Crimes Tribunal from 2001 to 2005. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Pavich was the lead defense counsel in five federal deportation prosecutions in Florida and Illinois—all which resulted in acquittals. Attorney Pavich is a member of numerous bar associations including: the Illinois State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association,...

Andy has helped business clients of all sizes in resolving their complex legal issues. He has experience in crisis management, insurance coverage, intellectual property, health care provider reimbursement, shareholder disputes, employment law, and more. Andy has represented clients in connection with investigations by federal and state authorities, advised boards on their fiduciary obligations, and conducted a number of corporate internal investigations into suspected employee misconduct. He has also served as outside general counsel for clients, supervising and coordinating all litigation matters and insurance coverage issues.

Throughout his career, Andy has developed a track record of achieving results through creative solutions. He...

Principal of law firm focusing practice on family law, child custody and support, visitation, domestic violence, mental health, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, FMLA and wage-and-hour violations, retaliation, civil rights, and juvenile justice. Offers settlement negotiation, litigation, general consulting, mediation, arbitration, and training services.

I have been practicing law since 1995. I am experienced in resolving franchise, business and corporate, partnership, employment, real estate and related disputes in state and federal courts and in arbitration and mediation. I earned my B.A. in political science from Northwestern University and my J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was a member of the Washington University Law Quarterly and recipient of the Gerald K. Presberg Scholar in Law Award. I am co-author of “Franchise Renewals: Considerations for Franchisors and Franchisees,” 19 Franchise Law Journal 2 (Fall 1999). I...

Experienced attorney with highly diverse practice familiarity. Concentration in tort litigation and general contract disputes. Secondary concentration in areas of debt negotiation and relief, domestic relations, estate planning and probate administration. Self-driven and organized with proven ability to manage large, diverse caseload successfully. Familiar with state and federal rules and procedures, mechanics of litigation, case law decisions and jury-verdict trends. Proven courtroom, negotiation, communication, and client interaction skills.

Mr. Gaffney began his legal career in the prestigious field of clerking for a Federal judge. He went on as an Assistant State’s Attorney to prosecute complex narcotic and gang cases.
Afterwards, he went into private practice in Harvard, Illinois where he serves his clients in the areas of State and Federal criminal defense, school law, second amendment issues, and general litigation.

Mr. Gaffney is especially proud of his record in the areas of expungement, clemency, pardons and sealed records. Utilizing these legal avenues, he has helped countless clients move forward with their lives.

At Law Office of Gale P. Stipes, P.C., our clients always come first. Every client is treated with courtesy and honesty. We will keep you informed through the entire case and pride ourselves on being accessible to our clients. Our experience and integrity have earned us a reputation as one of Madison County, Illinois' premier legal firms. Whether we are representing you in a divorce, child support, visitation or other family matter or are mediating your divorce or visitation issues our experience and consistent track record of uncompromising ethics instills confidence and trust. Attorney Gale Stipes is dedicated to representing you...

Ryan June is a Partner with Castañeda + Heidelman LLP, a boutique firm with a national presence serving nonprofits and companies. Ryan’s practice focuses on trademark, copyright, dispute resolution/litigation, and investigations. Before joining C+H, Ryan was Assistant General Counsel for a global higher education and media nonprofit. There, Ryan’s experience included oversight of and counseling on intellectual property licensing, expansion, and enforcement for the organization's IP assets, including a NYT bestselling book and internationally recognized brand that has sold more than 20 million copies and become a household name. Ryan started his legal career in the general commercial litigation and...

After working for Edward R.Vrdolyak Ltd.and the Vrdolyak Law Group LLC.for close to 40 years it was time for me to do some things I've always wanted to do.In sterting my own practice I hope to use my vast experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

I have almost two decades of litigation expertise in Illinois law, across both state and federal jurisdictions. I am experienced in every phase of trial advocacy and I am a member of the Federal Trial Bar. In addition to my trial work, I preside as Arbitration Chair for both Cook and Lake Counties, as well as for various private organizations. I also serve as a certified mediator for the Chicago Bar Association.