Lerna Lawyers

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...

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.

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.

A 1990 graduate of The John Marshall Law School, I practiced law privately before leaving to teach Criminal Justice and Paralegal courses at Illinois Central College in Peoria, Illinois. Since 1996 I have been retained primarily working for Municipalities as a Hearing Officer. I continue to fill this role in various communities, hearing cases related to building code ordinances, vehicle use and a wide range of municipal tickets written by the police department. In addition, I have many years experience consulting municipal government drafting, facilitating and implementing various ordinances. In addition to this work, I have been...

Benjamin Stephens has been with Johnston Law Offices for nearly 20 years and concentrates his practice in the areas of workers' compensation, personal injury and criminal defense. He has litigated both workers' compensation and personal injury cases for the firm, and has been involved in securing settlement awards in excess of one million dollars, in addition to numerous workers' compensation cases in excess of six figures. Ben graduated from New Athens High School and attended Eastern Illinois University where he graduated with high honors. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University School of Law where he graduated in 2005....

Author: The Illinois Guide Book to Auto Accidents The Illinois Guide Book to Semi Truck Accidents Avvo Rating: 10.0 Superb American Association of Justice/American Trial Lawyers Association Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Intellectual property attorney with over 35 years experience in patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related contracts.

Mike Glisson has been practicing law since 1996, passing both the Illinois and Missouri bar exams. He was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, by his parents, with 4 older sisters, and an older brother. He realized at an early age, the importance of hard work and family, and carries this on in the raising of his own family. Michael and his wife Kimberly, a schoolteacher, have three boys and a daughter. He has litigated and tried numerous plaintiffs’ personal injury cases in the states of Illinois and Missouri, including those involving wrongful death, auto accidents, trip and falls, medical...

Emily is a determined and fierce advocate for her clients. At the same time her welcoming smile and friendly personality will put you at ease when discussing your legal problem. Emily has spent the last 12 years representing clients in real estate, eviction and installment sales contract cases. Whether it is negotiating a settlement or taking a case to court, Emily’s experience allows her to get results for her clients.

Emily has an Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from Southern Illinois University. While in law school, she worked for...

Matt Caraway is a trial attorney at Sam C. Mitchell and Associates. He focuses on representing people who have been injured as a result of another’s negligence. He enthusiastically represents his clients with the energy and dedication required to deliver excellent results. He aggressively pursues individuals, insurance companies, and businesses that have wronged his clients.

Matt represents clients in both Illinois and Missouri. He practices in State and Federal Court. His trial experience includes jury and bench trials in both states.

Matt was also in the Illinois Air National Guard and served for seven years, becoming Staff Sergeant in Operation Enduring Freedom...

Jerry F. Costello is committed to managing cases related to personal injury litigation, with a focus on individuals who experience injuries resulting from the negligence of others or workplace incidents. He is dedicated to skillfully protecting the rights of his clients, working diligently to ensure they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

For over 30 years Charles Covey has been practicing law. He has handled bankruptcy cases during the duration of his three decades of legal practice and for the past decade, he has practiced exclusively in bankruptcy, debt relief and foreclosure defense matters.

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....

I am a trial lawyer born and raised in Central Illinois practicing in Plaintiff's worker's compensation and personal injury claims. I limit my practice to injured worker's and accident victims. I have practiced at all levels of arbitration and appeals up to and including the Illinois Supreme Court.

Brief Bio
Adam Lawler is the founder of Lawler Brown. Adam is a 2004 graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Adam worked for a local firm until founding the Lawler Brown in 2009. Adam’s practice areas focus in Personal Injury, Business, Real Estate, Probate/Trust/Estate Administration and general litigation.

BAR ADMISSIONS:
Illinois, 2004
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Illinois

EDUCATION:
Illinois, 2004
J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 2004
B.S. (Business Economics) and B.S. (Business and Administration)
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, 2001

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND...

Andrewe W. Johnson was born in 1970, in Canton, Illinois. Andrewe graduated from Lewistown Community High School in Lewistown, Illinois. He attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, from 1988 to 1990, before transferring to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Rhetoric. Andrewe attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving his Juris Doctor degree with Honors in 1995. During law school, Andrewe served on the staff of the North Carolina Law Review and worked with the University of...

Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, Todd has been surrounded by legal role models his entire life. His father, the Honorable Joseph C. Polito (retired) built a highly successful legal practice in Will County before being appointed as an Associate Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Will County, which gave Todd the opportunity to regularly interact with many of his father’s colleagues and fueled his passion for the legal profession at a young age.

Todd served in the United States Navy for four years, earning the prestigious Naval Achievement medal before being honorably discharged. Upon returning to civilian life, Todd built...

Ron has been a member of several area boards of directors, including the Will Grundy Medical Clinic and the St. Raymond School Athletic Board. Ron, along with his wife Kim, a Will County Assistant State's Attorney, are members of the Cathedral of St. Raymond Parish and are heavily involved with Joliet Catholic Academy, where their two children attend high school.

Ron has represented petitioners before the Illinois Industrial Commission for the past 18 years and has represented applicants for Social Security Disability benefits for over 24 years. He prides himself on achieving maximum results for his clients under the law. He...

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.

Harry Williams is a trial lawyer and former insurance defense attorney who has practiced personal injury law in Peoria, Illinois, for more than 35 years. His law firm – Peoria Injury Law Center – focuses on cases involving injuries that were caused by the carelessness of another person or a company. Harry fights for the rights of people who have been injured, making sure they receive proper medical care and every financial benefit that is available to them under the law. He is well-known and well-respected in downstate Illinois and has a reputation among his clients for his bold,...

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...

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...

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.

Keith concentrates on complex class action and individual suits involving unwanted robocalls to your cell phones under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Keith has been selected as a Illinois SuperLawyer for 2013-2018 and Rising Stars for 2008-2013. He was also named the 2015 Consumer Attorney of the Year by the National Association of Consumer Advocates. He has extensively lectured on the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Attorney David Bryant is a partner of the firm and has been named as a rising star in the areas of Employee Benefits and ERISA by Super Lawyers magazine. He is also proud to have been recognized by his peers with the coveted AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated SM by Martindale-Hubbell.

Attorney Paul I. Drake is a founding lawyer at Drake & Collopy, P.C. His legal career has been solely focused on advocating for personal injury victims throughout Chicago. He is dedicated to providing nothing short of top-notch service and representation in all legal matters. Over his nearly 20 years of legal service, he has helped individuals obtain tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements and continues to provide strong legal counsel throughout the area.