Ellsworth Lawyers

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...

Kristin M. Case is the founding Member of The Case Law Firm, now known as Case + Sedey, LLC. She is admitted to practice law in Illinois as well as Missouri and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Missouri Supreme Court. Ms. Case has extensive experience representing clients during employment negotiations, before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and throughout the litigation process both in state and federal courts.

Concentration in Immigration and Naturalization Law: Asylum, Business and employment-related Immigration, Consular Processing, Criminal and Deportation/Removal Defense, Detention, Domestic Violence and Immigration, Family Immigration, Federal Litigation, Naturalization; Criminal Defense, Post-conviction relief, sealing or expungement, DUI and license suspension, traffic citations and license reinstatement; firm also practices in Injury and Workers' Compensation cases.

Andrew Gable represents individuals arrested and charged with federal and state felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout the Chicago and Cook County area. He also handles state and federal criminal appeals. He has handled a wide range of cases from murder, felony sexual assault, and felony drug possession to DUI, marijuana possession, and domestic violence. He has represented alleged organized crime members, alleged gang members, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, prosecutors, state and federal law enforcement officers, prison guards, military personnel, bus drivers, truck drivers, teachers, students, entertainers, and executives. ...

Martina Sherman is a shareholder at DeBofsky Law where she represents individuals in ERISA and insurance benefit disputes. Ms. Sherman has experience in employment and Social Security law as well, which enables her to provide clients with a comprehensive approach to benefit problems. Ms. Sherman represents clients at all stages of litigation, from consultation and pre-suit appeal to the trial and appellate levels. She has extensive federal court experience and has argued successfully before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Sherman is a frequent speaker on employee benefits at national conferences of the American Bar Association (ABA), and she is...

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...

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.

Gregg focuses his practice in the areas of probate administration and litigation, estate planning, elder law, and real estate. In addition, Gregg is a guardian ad litem appointed by the Circuit Court of Cook County, not only in the probate area, but other divisions including domestic relations division and law division.

Gregg is an active member of the legal community, where he is serving or has served in several leadership roles within the Illinois Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. Gregg is a past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Probate Practice Committee, where he served two years as Chair....

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

Ted Donner (Attorney) started his legal studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1987 after a ten-year stint as the box office manager of The Second City in Chicago. His professional experience since then includes work as a law clerk for Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., a summer internship at Welsh & Katz, Ltd., and work as an associate with Rock, Fusco, Reynolds & Garvey, Ltd. Before opening Donner & Company Law Offices LLC, he was an Associate and then Of Counsel to the litigation practice group at Altheimer & Gray, where his practice was concentrated in insurance...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

I am driven by a passion for guiding organizations and individuals through the complexities of workplace issues and evolving regulations. I focus my practice on employment law and business contracts. My career has included a role as Associate General Counsel for Northwestern Medicine, where I provided strategic advice on a broad spectrum of business and healthcare matters. This position deepened my understanding of the intricacies of workplace dynamics in the healthcare sector and beyond. I bring a strong background in strategic problem-solving and compliance, excelling in drafting employment-related agreements, managing workplace relations, and navigating regulatory challenges. I am committed to delivering...

Zeller law is an innovative business law firm providing professional, efficient, and affordable legal representation to small businesses, start-ups, professionals, and entrepreneurs throughout Illinois. Our Chicago lawyers practice in the areas of civil and business litigation, corporate and business law, contract law, estate planning, and trademark law.

Charles W. Siragusa has represented many individuals who have sold their home, or are buying a home, in the Chicago metropolitan area. He has extensive experience reviewing and modifying real estate sale contracts for sellers and buyers. Federal, Illinois and county laws and regulations must be complied with to close a residential real estate transaction in Illinois; in addition, Chicago, and almost every city, town and village in the Chicago metropolitan area, has its own unique requirements that must be satisfied. Charles W. Siragusa is familiar with all of the legal requirements for closings in Chicago and the cities, towns...

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...

Terry J. Smith is a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White. He has represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law for more than 25 years, representing and regularly advising corporate defendants in litigation involving labor and employment matters in federal and state courts, and administrative agencies, throughout the United States. Prior to founding a boutique firm, Mr. Smith was a partner in one of the largest law firms in Chicago. He has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer for 15 consecutive years (2007-2021), representing the top 5% of all attorneys in the State of Illinois. Mr. Smith...

Dragan is an Illinois-licensed attorney with international reach and experience. Driven to study law to help people, Dragan is licensed to practice in the state court of Illinois, as well as the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. For his trademark clients, Dragan is authorized to represent them before the USPTO Trademark Office as well as the TTAB. He also is authorized to practice before the International Criminal Court, the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, and the State Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been authorized to appear pro hac vice...

Patrick A. Salvi II joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. in 2007. He concentrates his legal practice on cases concerning personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability. During his first trial as lead attorney, Mr. Salvi secured a $1.28 million verdict on behalf of a teen who had her leg and knee cap broken in an accident. Mr. Salvi also achieved a record breaking jury verdict on behalf of one of his clients in excess of $33 million. The case involved a teenager who was paralyzed in a motor vehicle collision. Additionally, he has secured a $29.1 million medical malpractice...