Hillside Lawyers

Admitted to practice law in 1995, Juli A. Gumina graduated with a J.D. from Illinois Institute of Technology-Kent College of Law, where she was on the Dean's List and a member of the Bar & Gavel Society. Juli received her B.A. from Loyola University in Chicago, where she graduate cum laude and was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society. Juli honed her litigation skills for several years as a public defender in DuPage County, prior to joining the firm to focus on family law. Juli is a trained and experienced mediator, and is frequently appointed...

I was raised on the Northwest side of Chicago by hard working blue-collar parents that both worked to support our family. I have seen firsthand the difficulties people face living paycheck to paycheck trying to support a family. I have also seen the burden placed on a family when one of the bread winners is injured and cannot work. When I was a child, my father was injured by an improperly maintained step right outside our apartment. His injury required that he wear a cast on his leg. As a delivery driver, this meant he could not work...

Denice A. Gierach is a business and estate planning lawyer with more than 30 years of experience representing business owners in the formation, franchising, and dissolution of businesses; contract negotiation and reviews; business litigation; partnership disputes, succession planning; commercial real estate; and aiding individuals in matters of advanced estate planning, and charitable giving. She also leads her firm’s YourOGC program providing Outsourced General Counsel services to small and medium size businesses to assist them in preventing legal issues, providing proper planning for reaching goals, and insight into issues preventing them from further success. As a Certified Public Accountant with a master's degree...

Carla M. Casas-Torres has been practicing law since 2002 and currently focuses her practice on immigration and nationality law. A native of Peru, she immigrated to the United States in 1980. Having personally experienced the difficulties of the immigration system, she has a unique perspective when handling immigration matters and an intimate understanding of the struggles her clients face. It is because of her own immigrant experience that she chose to focus her practice on immigration law. Carla feels fortunate for the opportunity to pursue her goals in the United States and is passionate about helping...

Kiley M. Whitty is a licensed attorney specializing in the areas of family law, child custody, bankruptcy, and creditor negotiations in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and surrounding collar counties. While in law school at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Kiley earned a certificate in Child and Family Law as well as a certificate in Advocacy which aided in her success as a litigator. As an associate with Anderson & Associates, P.C., Kiley has handled complex custody cases involving issues with legal and residential custody, parenting time, allegations of abuse and neglect, and child removal. Kiley has also handled a...

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...

Ms. Bartik has extensive experience in all aspects of family law, including, divorce, parentage, allocation of parental responsibilities, visitation, complex and high asset marital estates, business valuations, relocation, appeals, and post-decree matters. Ms. Bartik recognizes that family law matters are complex and that every family’s situation is different and unique. Ms. Bartik strives to communicate effectively with her clients and develop strategies and goals to meet the individual needs of her clients.

Ms. Bartik practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, Cook and Kendall Counties and is a member of the DuPage County and Illinois State Bar Associations.

Ms. Bartik earned her J.D. from...

George S. Frederick is the managing partner at the law firm of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC. Mr. Frederick’s practice focuses on all aspects of divorce and related family law matters, including parental allocation, parenting time, child support, maintenance, and enforcement proceedings. Mr. Frederick also counsels and litigates on behalf of his clients on a wide range of employment matters involving sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliatory discharge, and wage and hour claims. In addition, he assists and counsels clients on their employment policies and procedures, contracts, and other employment-related agreements. Mr. Frederick handles cases in both state and...

Mr. Molho concentrates his practice on business counseling and employment law. Mindful of the cost of legal services, Mr. Molho works efficiently to solve his clients’ problems. Most cases he settles favorably. Others are tried to verdict effectively and creatively. Mr. Molho serves as lead counsel through all facets of trial and appeal. Mr. Molho routinely counsels private employers and their chief executives on ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, OSHA, NLRA, and union avoidance issues. He is conversant with all human resource policies including employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, handbooks, and more.

Howard Abrams is the founding partner, specializing in personal injury, at the Law Office of Howard S. Abrams in Chicago, Illinois. As founding partner, Mr. Abrams handles and oversees a wide variety of plaintiff’s personal injury and professional negligence matters, pre-litigation and through trial. He has been the lead trial attorney in over 50 jury and bench trials, and has successfully resolved numerous cases through mediation and arbitration.

“While I do whatever it takes to resolve a case in the shortest amount of time possible, I realize that going to trial is sometimes the only way to recover maximum results for...

By way of educational and professional background, I have extensive knowledge of accounting, valuation, statistics, taxation, econometrics and economics. Skill set enables superior asset/liability allocation, discovery of hidden income/assets, support payment litigation, etc.__________EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC CONTEXTS: Appraisal of Residential and Commercial Real Estate Valuation of Closely Held Companies Forensic Accounting and/or Tracing Analysis of Diverse, Complex and/or Prodigious Classes of Assets/Liabilities Arguments Regarding Upward/Downward Deviation from Guideline Support Determination of True and Actual Income__________REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS: Senior Corporate Executives (including CEOs, CFOs, Presidents and Directors) Entrepreneurs & Owners of Closely Held Entities Medical Doctors (surgeons,...

I work with senior citizens, their families, and small business owners to get their affairs organized, safeguard their estates, and prepare succession plans. In matters of probate or trust administration, I work with personal representatives to properly manage the administration of the estate and advise them of their legal duties along the way. My experience in these practice areas has been exclusive since I have been private practice. In 2010, I expanded my practice territory to include Lake County, Indiana by obtaining an Indiana law license.

A top-ranked Criminal Defense firm.

Michael D. Kennedy, a partner with The White Law Group, is a member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA), an association of securities attorneys who dedicate their practices to the representation of investors defrauded by their financial professional or brokerage firm.

Mike’s practice is primarily dedicated to representing defrauded investors in arbitration cases before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) in the pursuit of recovery of his clients’ investment losses. In his time with The White Law Group, Mike has represented more than 350 investors in...

If it's experience, knowledge of the law, aggressive strategies, accessibility and affordability you are looking for in a Chicago criminal defense attorney, you will find all of those attributes and more at the law offices of Hal M. Garfinkel. For nearly 20 years Mr. Garfinkel, a former prosecutor, has been making waves as a participant in many high-profile Illinois criminal cases. He can get results for you, too, whether your current legal situation involves a homicide charge or a DUI arrest. This respected, veteran lawyer is Midwest-raised and educated, knows the people of the region and speaks their language. His former experience...

Mr. Patrick brings years of experience in both law and business, equipping him with the skills needed to build strong cases and negotiate favorable outcomes for his clients. Additionally, he has served as a legal clerk for the Arbitrators of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Stephen M. Komie is the founder of Komie and Associates, and he has over 40 years of experience successfully representing clients in state, federal, and international trials and appeals. Mr. Komie is best known for high profile cases such as his defense of Sandra Fabiano for child abuse and John Carroccia for murder, which were widely reported in the Illinois media. He has helped numerous clients achieve victory in criminal and civil trials across Illinois and the United States.

Mr. Komie provides his clients with dedicated, tenacious defense against criminal charges, and he has won many landmark decisions, including the 1995...

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...

Christina ("Chrissie") Martell is an experienced family law attorney in Warrenville, Illinois. She represents clients in the areas of divorce, parentage, adoption, and real estate. Chrissie's even-tempered nature serves her well in difficult arguments with opposing parties, in and out of court. Chrissie knows that her clients come to her during times of great difficulty or high stress in their families, and she competently and fairly represents their important needs in court. An effective negotiator, she is able to find creative solutions to her clients' problems, and she works to ensure that opposing parties consider all options before escalating issues...

Leopold & Associates diligently protects the rights of accident victims throughout the Chicago area. Our injury attorneys are dedicated to assisting individuals who have been harmed due to medical malpractice and motor vehicle collisions. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Valerie Leopold is proud to help members of her community in their times of need. She has over 30 years of legal experience in personal injury law and has stood up for numerous victims seeking compensation from health care providers, pharmaceutical companies, automobile manufacturers, and other major corporations.

I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients, understanding each client’s unique needs, and developing an IP strategy that matches the client’s vision and goals. I believe that the client’s understanding of its IP protection is invaluable to the client. My main objective is to enhance the client’s understanding and develop strategies to protect its IP as its business and technology continues to grow and change. I have experience drafting and prosecuting utility and design patent applications in the chemical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, software and medical device arts. I also have experience in patent litigation, international and domestic trademark...

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...

Keith is a partner at the firm. Since becoming an attorney, he has almost exclusively represented minor children injured as a result of obstetrical or neonatal malpractice. Keith is licensed to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Minnesota. In 2012 and 2013, he was instrumental in the firm obtaining three of the four largest verdicts in medical malpractice cases in Maryland history – a $55 million dollar verdict against Johns Hopkins Hospital, a $21 million dollar verdict against Harbor Hospital, and a $15.6 million dollar verdict against a nurse midwife and a hospital in Prince George’s County, Maryland....

Jeffrey Goldstein is recognized as one of the top franchise litigators who represents franchisees, dealers and distributors in commercial complex litigation cases across the country, although his main base is Washington, DC. Mr. Goldstein has extensive experience representing clients in state and federal courts and arbitrations in cases involving fraud, RICO, antitrust, encroachment, and wrongful termination.

Nestor Vicario has been an immigration attorney since 2014. His primary focus is family-based immigration, citizenship, hardship waivers of inadmissibility, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and removal defense. Mr. Vicario’s professional experience and background give him a unique perspective on the importance of having an immigration attorney who can navigate through the complexities of U.S. immigration laws armed with knowledge and compassion, whether fighting in immigration court to keep families united, assisting Dreamers, or guiding families through hardship waiver applications. Over the years, Mr. Vicario has volunteered at several Chicago nonprofit community organizations serving the immigrant community, including...

Steven A. Sigmond has been representing injured people in and around Chicago for over 30 years in personal injury cases, workers compensation cases and social security disability claims. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1985, Steven A. Sigmond returned to his hometown of Chicago, where he spent the next four years working with law firms in and around the city, gaining important professional experience. In 1989, Mr. Sigmond founded his own practice, the Law Office of Steven A. Sigmond. Since then, he has represented thousands of clients in personal injury and workers compensation...

Peter T. Sadelski was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Peter earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2018, where he studied political science and legal studies. Peter earned his law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 2021. During law school, Peter clerked at the Cook County Public Defendant’s Office and the UIC Pro Bono Litigation Clinic. Peter has been with Ed Fox & Associates since March 2022. Peter concentrates his practice on civil rights law, mainly focusing on wrongful detentions, false arrests, unreasonable searches, malicious prosecutions, excessive force, due process violations, and other...

Tina T. Tran (known to her close friends as Ty) is a second-generation Vietnamese American. As an ardent social justice advocate, Tina is committed to providing accessible, affordable, and affirming legal support and advocacy to people of all backgrounds and circumstances. She prides herself on giving her clients the fresh start they deserve, whether that be through filing for Bankruptcy, or through the Expungement and Sealing of criminal records. Tina grew up in the California Bay Area, and she learned early on about the wide discrepancies between people of different economic or racial backgrounds and their access to the...

Chicago tax attorney Jonathan Decatorsmith has been practicing tax law for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Chicago-Kent, Decatorsmith was a senior trial attorney and internal instructor with the Internal Revenue Service for 11 years. He has tried more than 50 cases before the United States Tax Court, U.S. District Court, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal. He previously served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University in Chicago and the University of Minnesota.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

Ian M. Barney is a founding partner of Barney & Hourihane, LLP and is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Illinois. He has successfully represented clients both at trial and on appeal and has extensive experience representing individuals in a variety of cases. He focuses his practice on criminal appeals and civil rights lawsuits.

He has participated in many cases of note and has argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Illinois Appellate Court. Ian was named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine for the years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. No...

After working in a small firm helping people recover for their injuries, Jim founded James Gay Law, LLC in 2010 to assist individuals who have suffered catastrophic losses due to the conduct of others in personal injury, medical malpractice, workers compensation and wrongful death claims. Jim brings a strong record of success recovering millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Jim obtained two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and returned to Chicago to obtain his law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2008. While in...

Alison has been named 2014 Top 100 National Trial Lawyer and is known in the legal community as an aggressive and passionate litigator who fights rigorously to protect the rights of her clients. Call today for a free, no obligation case evaluation.