Downs Lawyers

James T. Reilly has been practicing since 1979. He is an experienced trial lawyer with over fifty jury cases tried to verdict. He concentrates his practice in both civil and criminal litigation. Jury awards include medical malpractice, wrongful death, fraud prosecution and various types of personal injuries. He has defended cases in criminal courts ranging from fitness trials in murder cases to DUI’s. In addition to these, he has successfully defended persons charged with arson, aggravated battery, drug offenses and other felonies and misdemeanors.

Reilly has served as a LaSalle County Assistant Public Defender since 2000. He represents clients before the...

Barbara Morton graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication in 1992. Ms. Morton followed her BA with an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Regis University in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1996. Ms. Morton received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1998. She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since May 1999. Her practice emphasis is in Family law issues, Real Estate, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Traffic and Personal Injury. She has represented clients in litigation matters before Federal and State Courts, arbitration and...

Eric Zelazny is a bankruptcy attorney who is the founder and managing partner of Zelazny Business Bankruptcy. Before becoming an attorney, Eric was a Certified Public Accountant and worked for KPMG, which is the largest accounting firm in the world. He graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana with Honors. At the time, the University of Illinois was the number one-ranked accounting program in the United States. Eric also managed to pass the Certified Public Accountant exam the first time he sat for the exam, a feat only twenty-eight percent of those who took the exam managed...

Cherissa "Reese" Loire Krajniak obtained her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Marquette University before going on to attend Florida Coastal Law School. She graduated with honors in 209 and was active with the school's Pro Bono Clinic, donating more than 200 hours of legal work to underserved members of the community. While taking a full course load and giving her time to the clinic, Reese was still able to complete her Juris Doctorate program in just over two years. She passed the bar exam in 2010 and opened her own practice in downtown Chicago. After medical issues sidetracked her career for...

Daniel R. Flaherty, founder and managing attorney of Flaherty Law,LLC is a respected and accomplished trial lawyer with a history of success representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His practice focuses on personal injury matters, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, product liability, and estate planning. Daniel began his career in insurance defense litigation representing individuals in personal injury and property damage matters. In 2010, he decided his true passion was representing individuals injured due to no fault of their own. So, Daniel joined a larger, Chicago-area trial firm and began exclusively representing individuals in various personal injury matters. In his...

I was raised in Channahon, Illinois. I graduated from Minooka High School. I received my Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University in 2010, where I majored in Politics and Government and minored in Legal Studies. I was actively involved in the ISU Mock Trial program, competing in many tournaments throughout different states. Throughout college I had various legal internships, most notably with the McLean County State's Attorney Drug and Gang Unit, where I first found my interest for criminal law.

I earned my Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University School of Law in 2013. While at NIU, I also participated in...

Jeremy Lee earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2011. During law school, he served as a law clerk for the Chicago Teachers Union, and after graduation, he immediately dove into personal injury law. Jeremy joined Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys as a Senior Associate Attorney in 2019 and became a partner within two years. To date, Jeremy has taken over thirty jury trials to verdict as lead counsel, and he personally has recovered over $18 million for his clients. Even before he joined Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, Jeremy recovered $1.5 million for a client...

Prior to forming the law firm, Tedone & Morton, P.C., he was the senior associate with Chuck Bretz and Associates, P.C. for eight years along with experience as an Assistant Will County Public Defender & private practice in the area of insurance defense and general civil litigation. He was involved with several appeals that resulted in three murder convictions being overturned in 2011.

With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Tedone's current practice emphasizes in criminal defense (DUI, Suspended Driver Licenses, Drugs, Domestic Battery, Homicide and Appeals), personal injury, and Secretary of State Hearings, representing a wide variety of clientele. He...

We are rooted in Montgomery County with two offices to better serve the area. Our firm handles many cases in the surrounding counties (Macoupin, Bond, Fayette, Christian, and Shelby County) as well. We have experience handling many areas of law, including personal injury (car wrecks/dog bites/slip or trip & falls/wrongful deaths/malpractice), traffic/DUI/criminal defense cases, bankruptcy, family law (custody/child support/adoption/divorce), estate planning (wills/POAs/trusts), and estate administration (non-probate and probate), and general civil practice. I grew up Nokomis (Montgomery County), where my family and I reside. My degrees are from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Thomas M. Cooley...

Lindsay Rakers is a personal injury attorney located in St. Louis, Missouri. She handles injury cases all over the State of Missouri and in Metro-East Illinois. Lindsay handles the following cases: automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus and taxi accidents, dangerous property, burn injuries, animal attacks, defective products, dangerous drugs, medical malpractice and nursing home neglect.

Following in his father’s footsteps as a legal advocate, Springfield personal injury lawyer James Ackerman established his practice in 1989.

Our approach to the law and to meeting our clients' needs comes from Jim Ackerman's belief that clients are best served when they are fully informed and engaged in every aspect of their case. Jim is a former prosecutor who handles injury claims and who coaches other attorneys on the finer points of case preparation, taking a case to trial, and the art of handling juries. Jim brings years of legal and courtroom experience to bear on every case.

Jim Ackerman...

Jennifer Bunker Skerston has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the Editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts and estates....

I am an experienced and aggressive Illinois attorney. I handle a broad range of criminal defense matters from from traffic offenses to serious crimes, as well as personal injury cases.

A Springfield, Illinois native, I am a graduate of SIU School of Law. I practice in Sangamon, Morgan, Maoupin, Menard and Cass Counties. I defend clients facing state prosecution as well as represent injured clients. I am dedicated to communicating with my clients and am available when you need help, even on the weekend or after hours.

Whether you are facing a serious criminal charge or have been issued a speeding...

David Stejkowski is a seasoned estate planning and commercial real estate attorney with over three decades of experience. Based in Illinois, David is dedicated to helping clients secure their financial futures through comprehensive and integrated planning strategies. His practice, The Stejkowski Law Firm, LLC, focuses on commercial real estate transactions, estate planning, and business formation. David's approach is deeply client-centered. As an experienced real estate investor himself, David brings a sophisticated understanding of the market to his practice. He is committed to guiding clients through the intricacies of commercial real estate law, ensuring their investments are secure and profitable. He...

Karl J. Wulff, (BA ’93, JD ’96) is the firm’s principal attorney. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Webster University in 1993. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1996. Prior to attending university Mr. Wulff served in the United States Navy on board the amphibious assault aircraft carrier U.S.S. Tripoli (LPH-10) in the air department from 1987 to 1989 and later on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-60) as a reservist, earning the Sea Service Ribbon and the National Defense Medal. Mr. Wulff is a member of the National...

Marilyn Johnson is a partner at Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. She has been practicing law for over 30 years, concentrating in the areas of divorce, custody, support, and visitation. She has conducted numerous trials and hearings involving large marital estates and complex child custody issues. Prior to practicing law, Marilyn Johnson was a special education teacher who worked with children with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems. Her vast experience as a lawyer, teacher, and mother has enabled her to acquire a deep, compassionate understanding of the family unit, which has enabled her to counsel clients through the most...

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),...

Mikal Stole a prominent family law attorney in the Cook, Will, and Grundy Counties. He has successfully represented clients with complex cases involving high net worth estates, child custody disputes (allocation of parental responsibilities), and divorces involving business interests, while also efficiently handling routine matters. Mikal's also writes appellate court briefs on family law matters and is frequently appointed as Guardian ad Litem. Mikal serves as the Co-Chairperson of the Will County Bar Association's Family Law Committee and has been responsible for organizing the annual Family Law Seminar for several years. Mikal presents topics to the Bar Association including...

Mr. Covey concentrates his practice in all chapters of bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related law with special emphasis in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Mr. Covey has concentrated his practice in consumer and business bankruptcy matters for the past 30 years. Mr. Covey graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1984 with a B.S in Journalism. He then earned his J.D. at Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1992.

Mark Varboncouer is the founder of Varboncouer Law. Mr. Varboncouer is an experienced trial attorney who previously spent 10-plus years with Kirkland & Ellis LLP (“one of the nation's largest and most prestigious law firms”/ “known for its world-class litigation practice”/ “one of the ‘Fearsome Foursome’ — the four firms most likely to strike fear in opposing counsel”); and 4-plus years with another highly-prestigious 1,000-plus attorney law firm, McGuireWoods LLP, where he litigated a variety of issues: contracts, non-competes, tortious interference, unfair competition, fraud, licenses and complex intellectual property issues (e.g., patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, false advertising etc.)....

Michael J. Brennan has been a practicing Personal Injury and Criminal Defense trial lawyer since 1985. He graduated from John Marshall Law School with his Juris Doctorate and was an assistant state’s attorney on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He has had over 30 years of trial experience handling State and Federal Criminal Defense Matters and Personal Injury cases from motor vehicle accidents to workplace injuries. In 1996, he formed his own law firm, Michael J. Brennan Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.C. Michael’s aggressive dedication...

Former Will County prosecutor with over 25 years experience within the Will County court system. Past chairman of the criminal law committee of the Will County Bar Association. Capital litigation lead counsel certified by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Robert F. Kramer received his law decree from Northern Illinois University and has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1993. He opened The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. in 1997, in Plainfield, Illinois and now has offices in Will and DuPage Counties. Mr. Kramer has over 20 years of experience representing clients in divorce and family law matters. He is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated numerous child custody cases, complex marital estate and support cases and has helped over one thousand people with their legal matters. He attributes his firm's...

I was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, where I attended Christ the King Grade School followed by Sacred Heart Griffin High School. I pursued higher education at the University of Missouri, earning a degree in Political Science with minors in American Constitutional Democracy and Leadership and Public Service. During my undergraduate years, I gained valuable experience working in the Missouri House of Representatives in Jefferson City, MO, and the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Before embarking on my legal studies, I served as a committee clerk in the Illinois House of Representatives. I attended St. Louis University...

Paul Ciesielski is dedicated to providing assistance to those that find themselves in need of help navigating the complicated area of personal injury law. Not everyone knows what to do following a Chicago car accident, truck crash, health care error, or other incident. Paul walks clients through the legal process step-by-step.

Paul received his B.S. from Indiana University. He earned his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School, where he gained valuable knowledge, as well as relevant experience outside of the classroom. While in school, he volunteered at JMLS Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic. The veterans he helped...

b 1952, Graduate Northern Illinois University, 1980

Clifford Horwitz has won every case that he has taken to trial over the past 24 years with over 25% of those verdicts being record-setting jury verdicts. Cliff works with and manages the lead trial team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. Together, Clifford Horwitz, Jay Luchsinger and Michael Carter won the largest personal injury verdict in Illinois history for an individual and the second largest in U.S. history. The $64 million verdict was awarded for an injured ironworker who fell and was left paralyzed from a job-site accident.

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...

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...

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.

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.

Wayne Johnson is a partner at Johnson & Johnson, Ltd. He has been practicing law for over 35 years, and his practice focuses primarily on family law, criminal law, bankruptcy law, estate law, and real estate matters. He has conducted numerous trials and court hearings involving large marital estates and complex child custody issues.

Attorney Jeana K. Reinbold's practice focus is on resolving disputes between debtors and creditors and she will assist with strategy and prosecution or defense if a bankruptcy case (chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13) needs to be involved.

Born in Chicago, IL. Admitted to Illinois bar, 1995. United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1995. Preparatory education: Loras College, Dubuque, IA (B.A., 1992). Legal education: IIT, Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 1995). Former Will County Assistant State’s Attorney. Member: Illinois State Bar Association, Will County Bar Association, Illinois Worker’s Compensation Lawyer’s Association.

Brian has been practicing law in Will County for over 20 years, and handles a variety of legal issues, be they simple, complex or something in between. He is a trial lawyer, with a current focus in the area of workers’ compensation and general civil litigation....