Ashton Lawyers

Monica P. Patankar is a partner with the law firm of Patankar Law P.C. Monica takes a compassionate approach to helping clients solve their legal issues. She listens to each story carefully and understands that no two issues are alike. Monica's legal training and experience have prepared her to handle your legal needs. Monica gained her legal knowledge at University of Notre Dame Law School in Notre Dame, Indiana. Upon graduation, Monica worked for a large law firm, Chapman and Cutler LLP in Chicago, Illinois. At Chapman, Monica worked with large municipalities and other governmental entities to raise capital for large...

I have dedicated my practice to family law matters since 2007. I am a certified mediator and a fellow of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. I help people who want to work through their uncontested divorce with the guidance of legal counsel so they get it right the first time. I work diligently and efficiently to help my clients obtain the best possible outcome in their cases.

Owner and Principal Attorney at DLAW, PC As an attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience, Deanna Aguinaga Walker enjoys the flexibility that having her own law practice gives her. She is able to become personally involved with each of her clients, and she appreciates the opportunity to assist them on a wide range of legal matters. Deanna earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Northern Illinois University School of Law in 1995. Since then, she has dedicated her career to meeting the needs of her clients. When you work with Deanna, you can expect her to provide legal advice...

Hipple Law, P.C. specializes in bankruptcy and estate planning cases. We handle Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases throughout the Chicagoland area for individuals and small businesses. We serve clients located in Kane, DuPage, Cook, Will and Lake counties. BANKRUPTCY: Ms. Hipple's education and prior work experience sets her apart from other bankruptcy attorneys. She has extensive financial services industry experience, including working closely with numerous types of financially distressed small businesses. Ms. Hipple's education also includes an MBA, which is unique for the majority of attorneys. She has also handled numerous divorce cases which provides her...

Karrsten Goettel concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, real estate development, leasing, zoning and land use, business, merger and acquisition transactions (sales and purchases of assets and/or stock), corporate and business law and estate planning and administration. He has practiced among our firm's attorneys since 1997 and as a partner since 2002.

Mr. Goettel currently serves on the Board of Commissioners of the St. Charles Park District (where he is President), as a member of the St. Charles Housing Commission and as a Board Member of the Celtic Sports Foundation. From 2000 to 2002, he...

Aaron J. Lytle is one of the firm's suburban Chicago attorneys who practices in several key areas: estate planning and wealth protection, wills and trusts, probate administration, trust administration, business planning, taxation, real estate and special needs planning for children with disabilities. Mr. Lytle has spent several years working in the business sector on corporate issues relating to succession planning, valuation, acquisitions and generating capital. Before joining AHR, he worked for companies such as American Express and Bank One (now JP Morgan Chase).

Mr. Lytle also previously served on the Board of Trustees for DayOne Reliance, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that...

Since entering private practice, Attorney Smith has maintained a general practice with a concentration in family law. He has been a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Winnebago County Bar Association for over forty years each. Attorney Smith is currently a member of the family law section of each of these associations. He is currently on an advisory panel for the American Bar Association. He has been a presenter to other attorneys locally on family law and child related topics.

For over forty years Attorney Michael J. Smith has provided experienced family law representation. Family law...

Richard Doerr is married and has two children and three teenage grandchildren. In his 40+ years' experience, Mr. Doerr has tried cases on matters ranging from speeding to murder. In 1972, he was selected out of 200 applicants as one of ten participants in the St. Louis County Prosecutor's intern program. During his 31 years in bankruptcy practice, he has seen two major revisions in bankruptcy laws, the first in 1978 and the second in 2005. Mr. Doerr's leisure activities include cross-country skiing, car shows, and driving his classic 1973 Corvette convertible.

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.

Graduated Law School in 1998. Passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois in May of 1998.

Mr. White has practiced law for thirty years. He graduated from Indiana University in 1986 and received his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1989. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar, and admitted to practice in the Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois, in 1989. While attending law school, he was a law clerk with the law firm of Carey, Filter, White & Boland. He became an associate of that firm upon graduating, and in 1996 became a partner.

Mr. White served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Summit Homes beginning...

Sarah has been practicing immigration law since 2006. She specializes in family-based immigration, hardship waivers, naturalization and removal proceedings. Her family immigration cases include clients who are adjusting status (having their immigration interview in the US) as well as those who are consular processing (having their immigration interview in their home country).

Midwest Legal Care serves clients all across northern Illinois, including Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, DeKalb, McHenry, and Kane counties.

At Midwest Legal Care, we believe the first role of attorney is that of counselor. Midwest Legal Care is dedicated to understanding what results you want and will help you understand what actions we can take on your behalf to obtain the best outcome. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.

Attorney Robert (Bob) Canfield was born and raised in Rockford, IL. He graduated from Guilford High School in 1965. After joining the Army in February of 1968, he went on to Army flight school and graduated 2nd in his flight class. He spent a year in Vietnam flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters for the 101st Airborne Division and then returned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, as an Instrument Flight Instructor.

Following active Duty, he attended the University of Minnesota where he received his BA in psychology in 1976 and his Law degree in 1978. After taking and passing both the...

Terry Heady has over 24 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Heady has vast experience with many different types injury cases including car and motorcycle collisions, trucking accidents, construction site injuries, nursing home cases, medical malpractice cases and wrongful death cases. He has been named as one of the top 100 Trial lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers for the years 2014 through 2020. Mr. Heady also represents employees who have been wrongfully terminated and victims of sexual harassment, race discrimination, violations...

Fred is a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel, an honor bestowed upon very few attorneys. He focuses in the areas of estate and tax planning, trust, estate and probate administration, and business structuring and counseling. Fred enjoys helping people accomplish their personal goals. He has an extensive background assisting clients in the transfer of small businesses and farms during their lifetime or at death while minimizing taxes and expenses. Many of his estate plans are sophisticated and involve using wills, trusts, limited liability companies, family limited partnerships and other closely held entities. He has...

After almost a decade of working for midsize and large law firms in Chicago, I decided to open my own office. I now focus on the legal needs of individuals in and around my community. My goal is to provide practical legal services in understandable language at reasonable rates.

Mr. Petti is a resident of Elburn, IL. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, and grew up in Pittsburgh PA and Evanston IL. He has acted as legal counsel for both small and large businesses. He has been associated with private law practice firms in Chicago and the Chicago Suburban area. For the past twenty two years, he has maintained his principal law office in Kane County, Illinois. Mr. Petti's corporate law work includes serving as staff counsel for Motorola and General Counsel of Andrew Corporation, two international electronic businesses. His trial work has taken him from Connecticut to...

Mr. Krentz practices in the areas of personal injury & wrongful death and general & commercial litigation. He has been recognized by his peers as among the top five percent of all Illinois lawyers by Leading Lawyers. He has received the highest rating for skill and integrity by his peers. He has been a leader among Illinois lawyers in representing the victims of sexual abuse. He also has extensive experience in eminent domain litigation on behalf of property owners and commercial litigation.

Jacob J. Frost practices in the areas of estate/trust administration, residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales, business organizations, governmental law, and wills and trusts. Attorney Frost has served and represented clients in the Illinois Valley area for several years. Frost earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, with high honors in Legal Research and Writing. He received his Associate of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Illinois Valley Community College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was admitted to both Phi Beta Kappa...

I have been practicing law for over 25 years and believe that I am one of the best litigators out there. I listen to my clients and put their requests into legal pleadings. I advocate for my clients zealously. I spend most of my time working and not much time with my family, that includes several very large dogs. I volunteer at a local school when I can as I believe that children need our patience and help to grow up to healthy and happy adults. It is my goal to make the world a better place for everyone. ...

The majority of my practice revolves around fighting for those injured in major and catastrophic motor vehicle accidents and defending those accused of DUI, Misdemeanor, Felony, and Traffic offenses. I have NEVER worked for, or taken on an insurance company as a client, and I've NEVER prosecuted anyone on behalf of a state or federal agency. When you hire me, if you e-mail, call, or text message the office, I'm the one that answers, when we go to court, I'll be the one there with you, NOT an associate. Feel free to read some reviews from former clients...

Richard Schmack was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Berwyn, Illinois. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois in 1977 with double majors in Political Science and History. In 1980 he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Richard was admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Richard has made DeKalb County his home since1985. He, his wife, Jackie, who is his office manager, and...

Kane County lawyer, Susan D. Shivers, has been practicing law for over 27 years. Susan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University (with a double major in Psychology and English) and her Law degree, with Honors, from The John Marshall Law School. Susan is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Dan DeBias started with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates in 2007. He finished his Juris Doctor degree at The John Marshall Law School, and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dan was published in the John Marshall Law Review in 2017 for a Comment he authored about protecting injured workers in Illinois. He also was an editor for The John Marshall Law Review. Dan now devotes 100% of his legal practice to assisting injured workers.

Thomas A. Kelliher is an expert litigator who has first-chaired 30 trials during the course of his profession. When involved in defense work for the city of Chicago, Tom won 90 percent of the 29 cases he tried to jury verdict. And since Tom started representing injured plaintiffs, he has won many jury verdicts in excess of $1 million for his clients. Born in Santa Monica, Calif., Tom graduated from high school in Arlington, Va., before going to the University of Virginia and The John Marshall Law School. He now resides in Westchester and enjoys golf, barbecuing and spending time with...

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.

Van A. Larson is the President of and principal/sole attorney at the Law Office of Van A. Larson, P.C. in downtown Batavia, Illinois. Van received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and later received his Juris Doctorate from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Van A. Larson was admitted to the Illinois Bar and the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois in 1978. Since then, he has gained more than 35 years of litigation experience in nearly all courts throughout Kane, Kendall, DuPage and DeKalb counties. Van’s career began...

Since his first days of law school, Jordan R. Byhring has been dedicated to making a difference in his community by counseling individuals and corporations in need of an experienced litigator in their corner. As an attorney who has practiced in state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies on matters related to civil litigation, he exhibits honesty, thoughtfulness, and tenacity at every stage of a family law matter. Previously, Jordan has provided legal assistance to not only large corporations to defend their interests in complex tort cases, but also to individuals, including on cases related to food poisoning, automobile accident,...

Dallas was raised in Charleston, Illinois where he was close to his Alma Mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There he received his Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2007 and his Juris Doctor in 2011. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois in 2011. He was later admitted to the United States District Courts for both the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois. He formerly practiced as a public interest attorney in Rockford, Illinois, and as an insurance defense attorney in Joliet, Illinois. He now specializes in estate planning, trust and estate administration,...

Mr. Masur practices in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation. He has been recognized by his peers as among the top five percent of all Illinois lawyers in personal injury and workers’ compensation litigation (“Super Lawyers” and “Leading Lawyers”) and has received the highest rating for integrity by his peers. He is recognized as a leader in the field of work injuries and is widely respected for his knowledge and skill.

Ralph Elliott has been engaged in the practice of law in Freeport, Illinois since 1981. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude, earning Phi Beta Kappa recognition in 1978.He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1981. Ralph is admitted to the practice of law in the state of Illinois, the federal courts for the Northern District of Illinois (including the Trial Bar), the Central District of Illinois, and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Mr. Wilson began his legal career in 1996 practicing in Peoria County before relocating to LaSalle County in 2003. In his career, he has successfully tried numerous cases involving motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, employment disputes, and premises liability. Additionally, he has extensive Appellate Court experience having successfully handled numerous appeals particularly in the area of workers’ compensation. In 2004, he obtained the second largest personal injury jury verdict in Marshall County history at the time. In 2017, he negotiated the largest settlement ever obtained for a workers’ compensation claim with the Chicago Public School District. ...