Crystal Lake Lawyers

PASSION - INTEGRITY - TRUST - RESULTS "Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself believe." -Sir Winston Churchill Philip Berenz is a Chicago trial attorney truly committed to assisting individuals and businesses with securing all available remedies and compensation for injuries and disputes and defending them when necessary. His passion for his beliefs of aggressive and zealous representation and true empathy for his clients' situations, circumstances, life-altering events and suffering shines through at trial time before a jury, in everyday conversations with...

I focus my practice on patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and trademark and trade dress infringement. I also have experience in handling matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Some of the technologies I have worked with have concerned mobile applications, tracking systems, lighting and laser systems, blockchain applications, IoT devices, secure connections, and medical devices. Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I worked for a Fortune 500 automotive company, drafting utility patent applications and office action responses. I also volunteered for the Chicago-Kent Patent Hub, drafting utility patent applications for low-income inventors.

As a partner at Power Rogers & Smith, Larry R. Rogers Jr. has dedicated his professional career to helping victims obtain the justice they deserve. Mr. Rogers is of the belief that society today places an emphasis on profits over people, which results in the suffering of countless innocent people. As a plaintiff’s lawyer, he dedicates his practice to righting those wrongs and affecting change so that the same acts of negligence never happen again.

Thomas G. Siracusa is a partner at Power Rogers & Smith and has been with the firm since 1996. He earned his B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago and his J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. Since his admission to the Illinois Bar in 1986, Mr. Siracusa has obtained many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in cases involving medical malpractice, birth trauma, and other serious injury cases. When not staunchly advocating for his clients, Mr. Siracusa publishes articles about medical malpractice and product liability in the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education publications.

Joseph W. Balesteri is a partner at the Chicago-based plaintiff’s law firm Power Rogers. He joined the firm in 2000, and since that time, has handled many cases successfully, resulting in more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients, an average of $25 million per year. In recognition of his dedication to plaintiffs and achievements in the field, Mr. Balesteri has been awarded with honors such as “Super Lawyers” and “Leading Lawyers” by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company.

Joseph A. Power Jr. is one of the founding partners at Power Rogers & Smith. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University, Mr. Power has practiced law for almost 40 years. He has worked on groundbreaking cases throughout his fruitful career in law, and at 28, he became the youngest lawyer in the nation to obtain a million-dollar-plus verdict for his client. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America every year since 1987, was named one of the “Top Personal Injury and Consumer Lawyers” by Leading Lawyers Magazine, and is a member of...

Dedicating more than 25 years to representing victims in personal injury and wrongful death cases, Larry R. Rogers Sr. has had a prolific career as one of the top litigators in Chicago. A graduate of St. Xavier College and DePaul University College of Law, Mr. Rogers has spent years handling medical malpractice, aviation accident, wrongful death, and motor vehicle negligence cases. For his achievements over the years, he has been awarded many accolades including The DePaul University College of Law Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession, The Best Lawyers in America, and “Lawyer of the Year” in...

Receiving his B.A. from Cedarville University and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Jonathan Thomas is an integral part of the legal practice at Power Rogers. Mr. Thomas often handles cases concerning product and premises liability, automobile liability, and aviation litigation. His dedication to his practice warranted selection to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40. Mr. Thomas is also an active member in the legal community, and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Illinois Bar Association, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Spiros Nicolet earned his Law Degree from Marquette University in 1991. Attorney Nicolet worked at Madgrigrano, Gagliardi, Zievers & Aiello during Law School and then worked for Westlaw, the premier provider of legal research materials for law firms. After 13 years in the legal publishing industry he joined forces with Attorney Ronald Shapiro of Chicago, Illinois with offices in Northbrook, IL an employment expert in relation to all aspects of visas for employment and the family.

Mr. Nicolet believed that in starting his own practice, he could be more effective in helping people deal with a variety of legal issues....

David O’Toole joined Bragança Law after spending 24 years as a senior staff attorney at the Federal Trade Commission’s Midwest Region in Chicago. A three-time graduate of the University of Chicago, where he received a B.A. in History (1984), an M.B.A. (1988) and a J.D. (1992, with honors), David began his legal career spending almost six years in private practice in Chicago and Washington, D.C., working on antitrust, white collar defense, and general commercial litigation. for twenty-four years. While at the FTC, David led teams that challenged companies for deceptive marketing involving dietary supplements and health products, operating as pyramid...

Ed Fox received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in 1976 and obtained his law degree from Southwestern University in 1985. For the past 20 years, the first 10 in Los Angeles and the second 10 in Chicago, Ed has worked for those whose rights were violated by those in a position of trust or authority, such as nursing homes, police officers and employers.

In 1996, Ed came to Chicago, his original hometown, and began practicing here. In 1999, he started his firm, Ed Fox & Associates, Ltd. with one other lawyer.

Ed's work philosophy is to litigate his cases...

David J. Winthers is a lifelong resident of DuPage County having graduated from Wheaton Central High School in 1974 and Wheaton College in 1977.

William J. Stogsdill joined The Stogsdill Law Firm, P. C. in April of 2012. Since joining the firm, Will has primarily focused on practice in the area of family law. Will has worked on complex financial estates, custody disputes, negotiating property and custody settlements, and orders of protection. In 2011, Will was published in the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Handbook as a Co-Author with William J. Stogsdill, of the chapter entitled, "Division of Retirement Benefits in Dissolution Proceedings."

Prior to joining The Stogsdill Law Firm, P. C., Will worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau...

I am a third generation lawyer who is committed to helping people injured in a personal injury or workers' compensation matter, including those injured in a motor vehicle accident. Based in Chicago, Illinois, our firm of more than 75 people represent injured victims throughout the state of Illinois. We rank among the largest personal injury and workers' compensation firms in Illinois. Our clients come to us seeking help in all types of personal injury and workers' compensation matters, including workplace injuries, medical malpractice, motor vehicle collisions, mass torts, social security disability claims, premises liability, and civil rights violations, including police misconduct. There's...

Amanda concentrates her practice in the areas of trusts and estates. She prosecutes and defends trustees, executors, and administrators, relating to will contest, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, business wind-up, estate accounting, and trust accounting disputes through initial filings, discovery, trial, and post-trial issues such as appeals. Amanda also provides services in trust administration, probate administration, and general litigation. Amanda is an experienced litigator, having represented clients in appeals, estate and trust contests, business disputes, commercial disputes, elder abuse issues, and guardianships. She is known for building and maintaining relationships with clients through trust and collaboration.

Practice concentrated in the defense of tort, civil rights, and commercial claims, and in the prosecution and handling of appellate matters. Matters handled include negligence, municipal liability, Structural Work Act, premises liability, Civil Rights Act, Human Rights Act, product liability, Dram Shop Act, aviation, breach of contract, employment matters, gas explosion, patent infringement, and warehouseman's liability actions. Participated in all aspects of pretrial work, discovery, and trial preparation. Handled cases in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and other federal courts throughout the country; in the Circuit Courts of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage,...

For over 29 years, Margaret Szymansky has provided experienced representation to clients through Probate and Trust Administration proceedings. She assists clients in the effective resolution of existing claims and the transfer of assets. Margaret guides executors, trustees, and personal representatives of the estate and assists them in the successful closure of the estate. She further concentrates her practice in the area of Estate Planning, such as Wills and Trusts, including Special Needs Planning for disabled individuals and guardianship proceedings, Elder Law with a focus on Medicaid issues, and Real Estate law. For her dedication, leadership, and excellence in legal service,...

At The Law Offices of Carlos H. Davalos we concentrate in providing clients with aggressive representation in Felony, Criminal, DUI, and Major Traffic cases. Mr. Davalos's work is recognized nationally and locally as exceptional in the area of Criminal and DUI defense. Attorney Davalos has been recognized by the lawyer ratings organization "Super Lawyers" as being one of the top tier criminal defenders in the State. Similarly the "Top 100 National Trial Lawyers" organization has selected Mr. Davalos as being one of the top trial lawyers in the state of Illinois. Mr. Davalos retains membership in the "National College of...

Mr. Houlihan was admitted to the State Bar of Illinois in 1986. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois as a member of the trial bar. He has been admitted to the Capital Litigation Trial Bar of the State of Illinois to represent criminal defendants in death penalty cases. Mr. Houlihan is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, where he has served as Co-Chairman of the Younger Members Committee (1988-1989); Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee (1990-1991); and Chairman of the Membership Committee (2000-2001). He is...

Timothy was born and raised in the southwest side of Chicago. He attended St. Laurence High School, and graduated from Northern Illinois University.

Before going to law school, Timothy was working as an Illinois Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having received his certification in 1989. He spent four and a half years working for Arthur Andersen & CO., Chase Manhattan Bank and Shand Morahan & Company.

Timothy went to John Marshall Law School, graduating and being admitted to the Bar in May 1994 (Cum Laude) and was a staff member of the Journal of Computer and Information Law. He opened his own law...

Olivia N. Schwartz has worked at Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz since 2015, first as a law clerk, and currently as an associate attorney. She represents victims for injuries arising from medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence, products liability, and other personal injury claims.

Olivia received her J. D., cum laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law. During law school, Olivia interned at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office and for the Honorable Justice T. Lavin at the Illinois Appellate Court, First District. She also competed on Chicago-Kent’s nationally ranked Trial Team. Olivia was honored as a three-time CALI award recipient for...

Alexander Gruzmark was born in Lvov, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in 1978, where he was raised and educated. Mr. Gruzmark graduated from Loyola University in 1992, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, and then completed his education at Loyola University School of Law in 1998 where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. Mr. Gruzmark has been practicing law in Illinois for more than 20 years. During law school, Mr. Gruzmark worked for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office under a 711 License. He also volunteered at the Free Legal Aid Clinic at Loyola University School of...

Now located in Kensington, London, UK. Specializing in consular processing for marriage based immigration (green cards), investment in the US (E-2 and EB-5), multi-national business managers and specialists (L visas), waiver and citizenship applications.

Marcia Gerber Cotler, Principal and Founder of Cotler Law LLC, received her Juris Doctor of Law from Georgetown University Law Center (cum laude) in 1989. In addition to her J.D., Ms. Cotler holds two certifications in mediation, one from the Center for Conflict Resolution (2002) and another from DePaul University College of Law (2004). Ms. Cotler has both litigated and settled hundreds of cases for clients ranging from multi-national corporations to individuals. She practices before the state courts of Cook, Lake and DuPage County Illinois, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the United States District Court...

Melanie K. Fairman is an experienced trial attorney who has represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death actions since 1994. Over the years, she has obtained millions for clients through settlement and trial. A large percentage of her practice involves cases arising from medical malpractice and nursing home negligence, but over the years she has litigated quite a few significant vehicular collision and premises liability cases, including a $3.8 million verdict in a case tried by Melanie and her partner, Steve Seidman, against JW Marriott based on exposing a guest who was an attorney to Legionella bacteria, causing him...

Anthony obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1979 and thereafter his Law Degree in 1982 from the DePaul University, College of Law in Chicago. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the United States District Court Bar in 1982.

Since that time he has maintained active memberships in the Will County Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association and has served on its Matrimonial Law Committee, the Illinois State Bar Association and in 2006-2007 was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Section Counsel on Judicial Evaluations. In 2014-2015 he served as a Member of the Illinois...

Michele is an accomplished litigation and litigation management attorney with a proven track record of winning results at trial, arbitration and administrative hearings. She is known for her creative litigation strategies and communication skills. Result-oriented.

If you’re facing criminal charges, we encourage you to contact our Chicago criminal attorneys. We truly care about you, and your family. We are a family oriented law firm – and treat every client with passion, and a desire to truly help them. Sometimes innocent people get accused of a crime with no evidence. Prosecutors want to look good – and will do everything possible to make you admit you did something wrong. Prosecutors will push trumped up charges in order to get you to plea guilty. Our Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer understands the pressure you are facing – and...

Jennifer L. Ashley joined Salvi, Schostok & Prichard P.C., in 2012 and was named partner in 2014. She focuses her practice on the areas of personal injury and wrongful death law including cases that involve car accidents, premises liability and products liability. Ms. Ashley has been selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer every year since 2016, has been listed among the Top 100 Super Lawyers every year since 2021, and has been listed in the Top 50 Female Super Lawyers in the state of Illinois every year since 2019. She has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the...

I, Alexander Blum, want to be your Attorney. I cherish my Clients, and hope to impart some of my skills and knowledge so that my Clients are able to live a better and more productive life. I have appeared in many of the Courhouses in Illinois and I have a great working relationship with many Prosecutors and State Attorneys. I am very persuasive without being agressive, and I will give it my all to get the best possible result for my Client. Give me a call 773-999-2586 (BLUM)

Paul Henry Millewich graduated from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and received his B.S. from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Paul's experience in the Coast Guard has allowed him to assist clients with complex mechanical, technical, and engineering cases involving injuries and wrongful death. Mr. Millewich has dedicated his practice to representing injured clients in Product Liability and Medical Malpractice cases. Paul has been a Personal Injury attorney for 33 years, and he is an experienced and skilled litigator. Every case Paul accepts is prepared for trial. He is...

Mr. Shore is acutely aware that when an individual contacts Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices about a legal problem, that for the client it is also a personal problem. In addition to litigating or negotiating settlements in many major cases, he is a skilled listener who is adept at developing & implementing cost-effective and winning strategies. Mr. Shore represents divorce and parentage clients in settlement negotiations, pre-trials, hearings, and trials. He is also appointed by the Court to represent minors in custody proceedings. As an appointed guardian for the children (referred to as a Guardian Ad Litem or GAL),...

About Attorney J. Witherspoon A native of Chicago's south side, J. Witherspoon witnessed both sides of the justice system and its ability to impact lives. This inspired her to pursue a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and later obtain her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Over the last 25 years, she has held an array of positions and sat on numerous boards all centering around assisting others and improving their quality of life through the utilization of her knowledge of the judicial system. ? J. Witherspoon regularly attends trainings and seminars to ensure that she remains current on knowledge and...

William ("Bill") F. Bochte is a graduate of Fenwick High School, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's University (formerly Saint Mary's College) in Winona, Minnesota in 1965. Bill went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School in 1969 and has been in the private practice of law serving his client's needs ever since. Mr. Bochte practiced in the city of Chicago for approximately 10 years before relocating to Kane County and the Fox Valley area. Mr. Bochte has received a United States of America Presidential Commendation in "recognition of exceptional...

Attorney Kendall D. Hartsfield is a graduate of Western Illinois University, Governors State University, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Master of Arts in Political and Justice Studies, and Juris Doctorate, respectively. Mr. Hartsfield’s diverse background ranges from experience representing indigent defendants for the Will County Public Defenders Office, to experience as an educator for the City Colleges of Chicago, for which he taught courses to pre-trial detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Attorney Kendall D. Hartsfield is admitted to practice throughout the State of Illinois, and is...

I provide immigration solutions to corporate clients including foreign investors, domestic businesses hiring foreign workers, and multinational companies transferring foreign employees to the United States. I also represent individual executives, professionals, researchers, scientists and artists regarding their specific immigration-related needs. My practice comprises all aspects of nonimmigrant visas, permanent residence, citizenship and worksite enforcement, including Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and E-Verify compliance.

I try to anticipate my clients’ needs by making every effort to consider cost, timing and longer-term issues at stake, as immigration decisions can have a reverberating impact even decades into the future. By understanding what is important...

Charles Lee Mudd Jr. is the founder and principal of Mudd Law, located in Chicago, Illinois, Park City, Utah, and Houston, Texas. He focuses his practice on a wide range of business legal issues, including transactional and litigation matters involving intellectual property, Internet law, and emerging technology. Mr. Mudd and his firm serve a diverse group of clients, including local, national, and international individuals and businesses. Mr. Mudd received a B.A. in philosophy and a Master of Arts in political science from Purdue University and then went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Quinnipiac University School of Law....

Randy has represented technology clients large and small for nearly a decade, and has been licensed to practice before the US Patent & Trademark Office since 2003. He is passionate about startups, and works tirelessly to build IP portfolios that form core assets for young and growing companies.

An avid trumpet player, Randy regularly performs with various musical groups around the Chicago area in his spare time.