Danforth Lawyers

Along with his years of experience, Lake County divorce attorney Van A. Schwab has a solid educational basis for his divorce and family law practice. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, he received his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Because of recent, up-to-date training, Mr. Schwab is a certified divorce mediator, and is prepared to handle family law issues through collaborative law methods. He has published an article on cohabitation in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Licensed to practice family law in the states of Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey, he...

Brian LaCien, a founding partner at Smith LaCien LLP with Todd A. Smith, leads a Chicago-based personal injury law firm dedicated to serving clients throughout the metropolitan area. Brian specializes in cases involving aviation negligence, class actions and mass torts, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises and product liability, professional negligence, and trucking litigation. With over 25 years of experience, Brian has a proven track record of resolving complex injury cases through both negotiation and litigation, working tirelessly to secure fair compensation for Illinois residents impacted by catastrophic injuries due to negligence. His commitment to exceptional representation and aggressive advocacy consistently yields...

For nearly seven years, Michael P. Tomlinson practiced law at a large national law firm. During that time, Mr. Tomlinson represented clients in all types of complex commercial litigation, including the following types of cases: Restrictive covenants (non-competition and non-solicitation) Trade secret misappropriation Securities litigation Securities enforcement actions Labor and employment law Statutory fraud (e.g., the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act) Class action defense Uniform Commercial Code General contract and tort law Qui tam actions White collar crime Mr. Tomlinson also has experience in conducting internal investigations on behalf of both securities and health care clients. In addition to the litigation-related services listed above, Mr. Tomlinson provides advice to his...

Kent graduated from Carthage College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He obtained his law degree from Nova Southeastern University of Law in 1977.

Kent has practiced bankruptcy law for over 35 years. He represents clients in Chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and in non-bankruptcy workouts and reorganizations. His clients include both consumers and businesses, for debtors and well as creditors. Kent is experienced in all facets of bankruptcy litigation, having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in lawsuits arising out of the bankruptcy process. Several cases in which he has represented litigants have...

Margaret Galka joined the Collins Law Firm in 2018 as an associate attorney. She focuses her practice in environmental litigation and personal injury.

Margaret graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vermont Law School, where she concentrated on environmental and energy law. While attending law school, Margaret worked as a clinician in the Environment and Natural Resources Law Clinic and clerked for a prominent law firm in Burlington, Vermont. Margaret also served as a Co-Chair of the Women's Law Group and as an editor of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

Prior to law school, Margaret graduated from the University of Vermont with a...

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...

Filing bankruptcy does not have to be a stressful situation. I strive to provide the most personalized and hands-on approach to serving my clients. I am committed to explaining the process so that you understand exactly how bankruptcy works and are prepared for every step. I offer a free consultation with no-pressure choices. At least know your options.

Attorney Shekar Jayaraman, Esq., LL.M has a multi-faceted background of both public and private sector experience. He is passionate, zealous, and detail oriented.

Notably, Attorney Jayaraman was a Judicial Clerk for a United States Magistrate, with a heavy focus on violent crimes. He earned an LL.M. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Business and Corporate Governance, and has served under the Ohio Secretary of State as a Regional Liaison, handling Business Services and Elections.

While in law school, Attorney Jayaraman was selected as an Extern for a United States Magistrate for the summer after his first year, and...

Ryan Platt leads the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice while also maintaining an active caseload of consumer and personal injury cases. Ryan is experienced at all aspects of Workers’ Compensation cases. A seasoned litigator, Ryan has practiced law for over seven years and tried over a dozen Workers’ Compensation cases before Commission arbitrators and successfully prosecuted multiple Commission appeals with favorable outcomes for his clients. He does not shy away from taking a case to court if a fair settlement can’t be reached. Prior to joining the firm, Ryan worked at a major Illinois Workers’ Compensation firm and served as a...

I founded Corporate & Estate Legal Services, Ltd. to focus on business contracts, commercial litigation, estate planning and probate cases. I have decades of experience handling civil litigation and commercial contracts. I represent both plaintiffs and defendants. I have a broad spectrum approach to B2B litigation. I can negotiate deals, document agreements, litigate, pursue post judgment collection, and prosecute or defend judgments on appeal. I was a scholastic debater in high school and college. I am very comfortable with contract litigation, declaratory judgments, decedent's estates, and business torts. My experience affords me the luxury of handling all phases...

Ethan White is a cum laude graduate of Northwestern University School of Law with more than a decade of pure litigation experience. Ethan’s practice focuses on counseling clients and litigating commercial and employment-related matters, with near daily courtroom experience in both state and federal courts. In addition, he frequently appears before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Humans Rights, the Illinois Department of Labor, and various mediation forums. Ethan has tried cases in DuPage County, Cook County, and the Northern District of Illinois and has litigated matters in nearly every other county in the Chicagoland area.

In addition...

Don has been representing businesses and entrepeneurs in the Chicago metropolitan area since beginning his practice in 1975. He has experience advising individuals on the formation of their businesses, and the legal issues involved in operation of their businesses. This includes the drafting of corporate business formation documents, buy-sell agreements, LLC operating agreements, partnership agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment contracts, and business agreements in a variety of contexts. He has served as general outside counsel to businesses in the travel industry, construction industry, manufacturing industry, medical industry, and many other types of service industries. He is a great resource...

I believe that every home should be titled in the name of a revocable living trust. Probate is nothing more than a way for lawyers to make money. If someone tells you that all you need is a will, they are wrong. A revocable living trust is the best way to avoid probate and plan for periods of incapitation. Creating a trust is not hard and it is not only for the rich. Therefore I have dedicated my career to making the estate planning process as easy and affordable as possible. It starts with using...

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.

Jeffrey S. Keller founded his law firm in 1994. Mr. Keller concentrates his practice in the following main areas: Litigation, Divorce/Family Law, Real Estate, and Business Law.

Habib Wardak is a business law attorney focusing on corporate law, commercial transactions, commercial real estate matters, and international business transactions. Habib counsels clients at all stages of business and real estate development, and helps clients develop strategy for optimizing business affairs and achieving business goals.

Mr. Sosin is a Partner in the firm Sosin, Arnold & Schoenbeck Ltd. A 1972 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law, he has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Illinois. David Sosin has served as Village Attorney for the Village of Crestwood, Illinois for over a decade, and practices in all areas of auto dealership representation, real estate law, and zoning law. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

David Sosin was elected to the Illinois State Bar Association's College of Laureates in 2011, joining a select group of...

I help clients protect their most valuable business assets: their ideas and inventions, their purpose, and their products. I help clients protect themselves and their assets through a combination of intellectual property management, business planning, and estate planning. I help business owners start and run their businesses successfully. I help clients keep their focus on the core parts of the business, the things that made them want to do it in the first place, by making sure their foundations and legal strategies are strong and tailored to their unique needs. My focus on clients’ legal issues takes that off their list...

Shayla Maatuka transitioned her private practice into the partnership of Dodd & Maatuka. She currently serves as managing partner for Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC. She combines her expertise as an entrepreneur - successfully establishing four businesses - with the practice of law, concentrating on civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, as well as business litigation. Her passion for the community helps others achieve their goals through entrepreneurship. She currently sits on the boards of Visit Champaign County and Mettler Studios, Inc. and formerly sat on the boards of the East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, the Executive Club...

At Forkan Law, we provide affordable, effective and personalized legal counsel and representation in the areas of bankruptcy law, criminal defense, divorce and real estate law. With offices in Burr Ridge and Chicago, we serve clients throughout the greater Chicago area of Illinois.

Paul Gentile has been practicing law for over 30 years. He started his career working for the leading law firm Baker and McKenzie. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney in the traffic, misdemeanor, and felony division for seven years, where he handled over a thousand drunk driving, hit and run, driving while revoked or suspended, misdemeanors, domestic violence, assault, weapons, drugs and countless other crimes. He established his general practice in Orland Park, Illinois in 1987. He expanded his practice to include family law. Over the course of his career, there are not many types of...

The Dodds Law Office, PC, represents Illinois personal injury, Illinois workers compensation and Illinois auto accident claimants and counsels clients in the areas of criminal and family law. Terry is a native of the Bloomington-Normal area, having attended grade school and junior high in the Unit 5 School District. His mother and father also have strong ties to the Bloomington-Normal community, both having graduated from Illinois State University. Terry's Brother, Geoff Dodds, is also a licensed attorney in Illinois, currently acting as the City Attorney for the Village of Heyworth, IL. After graduating from Clinton Community High School in 1992, Terry obtained...

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

Michael R. Nichols was born and raised in Galesburg, IL. Michael Received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Southern Illinois University. He then received his Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law. At NIU Law Michael graduated with honors and was a leader within the Professionalism and Ethics Society, while also working as a graduate assistant.

Michael approaches everyday in a positive manner with the sense of urgency that is required to produce an optimal result for his clients. Michael understands the importance of each individual case and enjoys walking his clients through every step in the...

I enjoy working with people to help bring better business ideas and technology into the world. I try to help people understand how the intellectual property legal system works and that it is a helpful tool, not an obstacle. I am committed to the long-term success of all my clients. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with high honors from the Illinois Institute of Technology. After working for over 5 years in software development and technology consulting, I earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois....

James A. Podgorny is a sole practicing attorney, which means he will be the only attorney you will deal with at the firm. You will not be shuffled amongst many associates who will not necessarily know the current status of your case, as is commonly found in large law firms. Mr. Podgorny will always know the status of your file, and you can always address your concerns directly with him. Mr. Podgorny will return your telephone calls in a timely manner, leaving you free from the stress and anxiety of worrying if you have an attorney focused on your matter...

Criminal defense attorney practicing in Will, Du Page, Cook, Kane, Kendall and surrounding areas handling matter from minor traffic tickets, DUIs, domestic battery, drugs cases, sex cases and all misdemeanors and felonies.

Chris graduated from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, in 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Education degree in Sports Management and minors in Business and Political Science.
Chris graduated from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in May of 2016 and sat for the Bar Examination in July of 2016. Chris was admitted to the Illinois Bar in November of 2016. During law school, Chris held several internships: one with a Civil Litigation firm in Glenview; another with the City of Naperville, where he had his 7-11 License and assisted the City Prosecutor in Traffic Court and DUI Court; and...

I am Toma Makedonski, and I have been practicing law in Chicago, Illinois, for over 22 years. Since I opened my private practice in September 2000, I have committed myself to assisting clients with a variety of legal issues, including criminal and traffic defense, real estate transactions, family law, and immigration law. I am passionate about offering personalized, results-driven representation that is tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. My extensive experience in these areas ensures that my clients receive high-quality legal support when it is most crucial. One common concern for clients seeking legal representation is the uncertainty surrounding...

Don B. Pioletti, Jr. has practiced law for over 35 years. He graduated from the George Mason University Law School in Virginia in 1976. He then served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General and later as an Assistant State's Attorney. He now practices at Pioletti & Pioletti in Eureka, IL doing general practice law.