Monmouth Lawyers

Timothy was born and raised in the southwest side of Chicago. He attended St. Laurence High School, and graduated from Northern Illinois University.

Before going to law school, Timothy was working as an Illinois Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having received his certification in 1989. He spent four and a half years working for Arthur Andersen & CO., Chase Manhattan Bank and Shand Morahan & Company.

Timothy went to John Marshall Law School, graduating and being admitted to the Bar in May 1994 (Cum Laude) and was a staff member of the Journal of Computer and Information Law. He opened his own law...

Alexander Gruzmark was born in Lvov, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in 1978, where he was raised and educated. Mr. Gruzmark graduated from Loyola University in 1992, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, and then completed his education at Loyola University School of Law in 1998 where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. Mr. Gruzmark has been practicing law in Illinois for more than 20 years. During law school, Mr. Gruzmark worked for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office under a 711 License. He also volunteered at the Free Legal Aid Clinic at Loyola University School of...

Michael A. Otte concentrates his practice on estate planning, trust administration, and contested and litigated estates and trusts. Additionally, Michael's particular area of focus is in elder law matters, including Medicaid planning, Medicaid appeals, guardianship, contested guardianships, nursing home contract review, general elder law matters requiring litigation or other court involvement, and other issues affecting the legal needs of older people. Michael has given dozens of both public and private seminars on his areas of experience in order to educate the public and fellow attorneys on important estate planning and elder law concepts. Michael is a member of the Chicago...

Kathryn Whitacre is a Partner at Whitacre & Stefanczuk LTD where she practices in the areas of Real Estate Law, Business Law, Family Law and Estate Planning. Kathryn received her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2011 and her B.A. in Business from Bowling Green State University in 2006. Kathryn is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

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.)....

Randy has represented technology clients large and small for nearly a decade, and has been licensed to practice before the US Patent & Trademark Office since 2003. He is passionate about startups, and works tirelessly to build IP portfolios that form core assets for young and growing companies.

An avid trumpet player, Randy regularly performs with various musical groups around the Chicago area in his spare time.

About Bill

Bill is a Southern Illinois native. He and his wife live in the Carbondale area with their five children. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He later earned Masters’ degrees in Special Education and Counseling Psychology, from McKendree University. He in Special Education classrooms in public and private schools.

Later, Bill worked as a counselor-intern for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and as a clinician for Chestnut Health Systems. He provided mental health and addiction recovery services, clinical analysis, and employee assistance support. His clients included Federal and State probation,...

Attorney Botto has successfully litigated complex Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation cases. If you are the victim of another person's negligence, or you are an injured worker, you face many financial challenges while trying to recover from your injuries. Attorney Botto recognizes your suffering extends beyond the physical wounds. He and his team of attorneys and paralegals will work diligently to maximize the greatest compensation allowable under the law for you and your family.

Mr. Botto's legal experience extends to the criminal field. He has tried successfully numerous cases to verdict, ranging from simple battery cases to serious felony charges of...

Olivia N. Schwartz has worked at Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz since 2015, first as a law clerk, and currently as an associate attorney. She represents victims for injuries arising from medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence, products liability, and other personal injury claims.

Olivia received her J. D., cum laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law. During law school, Olivia interned at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office and for the Honorable Justice T. Lavin at the Illinois Appellate Court, First District. She also competed on Chicago-Kent’s nationally ranked Trial Team. Olivia was honored as a three-time CALI award recipient for...

Andrew Stoltmann, attorney and investor advocate, exclusively concentrates his practice in representing investors who are the victims of investment fraud. He has represented over one thousand individuals in lawsuits and securities arbitration actions against brokerage firms like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Wachovia, Linsco, Prudential, Baird, Edward Jones, AG Edwards and Smith Barney and has tried approximately 80 cases. Previous to opening the Stoltmann Law Offices P.C. he was a partner in a law firm concentrating its practice in the representation of investors in lawsuits, arbitration claims and class actions against brokerage firms. Mr. Stoltmann is...

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...

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...

Seth A. Albin focuses his practice on the areas of Bankruptcy, including representing individuals and businesses, Creditor’s Rights, Family Law, including all aspects of divorce and adoption, including child custody, child support, maintenance, spousal support, and modifications, Enforcement and Collection of Judgments including replevin, garnishments and executions, Secured Transactions, Arbitration, Litigation, and Municipal Law.

Before joining Summers Compton Wells, Seth worked at one of the largest law firms in St. Louis and served as in-house counsel for a commercial lender. He has represented secured and unsecured creditors and debtors in all aspects of the debtor-creditor relationship, including work outs, debt...

When facing criminal charges, you need an attorney who will fight for you. Matthew Prengaman is a Cook County criminal law attorney whose first goal is to get your case dismissed or to take your case to trial and win. His hard work does not stop until he gets the best possible outcome for his clients.

Attorney Prengaman represents clients who have been accused of felonies and misdemeanors, including traffic violations, assault, battery, DUI, theft crimes and other offenses. He is licensed and experienced in both federal and state courts, so no matter the severity of the alleged crime,...

I bring an ivory tower legal education from Washington University and over 44 years of courtroom experience to down to earth people. In 2004 I was named the Illinois Downstate Chairperson for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers. I am also a founding member of the Bankruptcy Law Network legal blog along with about 20some attorney friends. We wrote a free legal blog containing hundreds of pages of articles about bankruptcy, but blogs got boring, so I pivoted to my free JustAMinit Law You Tube video channel, where I post minute, or so, videos about ways you...

Mr. DeBlasio is the founder and managing member of DeBlasio & Gower LLC. Tony has over 22 years of experience as a trial lawyer and advisor. He has counseled individuals, business executives, for profit and not-for-profit companies and government bodies in complex litigation matters, internal investigations and dispute resolution strategies. Tony has been selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer in Business Litigation on many occasions. Only 5% of attorneys receive this distinction. Tony has represented clients from a multitude of industry sectors, including, health care, technology, communications, financial, education, real estate, manufacturing, construction, management...

I previously owned and operated a carpentry sub-contracting company. Because I worked on job sites and managed the company, I understand the construction industry in a way that any other attorney that has never worked in the industry can. I specialize in construction law, mechanic's lien law, and construction litigation, representing clients in disputes involving payment, performance, defects, delays, and contracts. I also help clients with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts and agreements. I have successfully handled cases in state courts, arbitration, and mediation, achieving favorable outcomes for my clients. I am passionate about advocating for the quality,...

I am a third generation lawyer who is committed to helping people injured in a personal injury or workers' compensation matter, including those injured in a motor vehicle accident. Based in Chicago, Illinois, our firm of more than 75 people represent injured victims throughout the state of Illinois. We rank among the largest personal injury and workers' compensation firms in Illinois. Our clients come to us seeking help in all types of personal injury and workers' compensation matters, including workplace injuries, medical malpractice, motor vehicle collisions, mass torts, social security disability claims, premises liability, and civil rights violations, including police misconduct. There's...

After 8 years defending employers with a respected Chicago defense firm, Arik started Hetue Law, P.C. with a mission of helping people navigate the legal issues surrounding starting and growing their businesses as an outside general counsel, and protecting their finances and families via proper estate planning.

Arik is a skilled business law attorney, with experience in risk management, HR planning, business entity formation, corporate dispute resolution, technology planning, technology licensing agreements, and has enjoyed outside general counsel status to a variety of small businesses and technology start ups. He is also an experienced estate planning attorney,...

Attorney Kendall D. Hartsfield is a graduate of Western Illinois University, Governors State University, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Master of Arts in Political and Justice Studies, and Juris Doctorate, respectively. Mr. Hartsfield’s diverse background ranges from experience representing indigent defendants for the Will County Public Defenders Office, to experience as an educator for the City Colleges of Chicago, for which he taught courses to pre-trial detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Attorney Kendall D. Hartsfield is admitted to practice throughout the State of Illinois, and is...

I have been a practicing attorney since 1973. I used to handle a wide variety of legal matters for individuals and families. At present, my practice is concentrated in consumer bankruptcy. In addition to our main office in Chicago, we also have offices in Skokie, Schaumburg, Naperville, Joliet and Gurnee, Illinois. I am married with one son who is married, living in California, and who is a practicing attorney working for the State of California. I am a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Bankruptcy Committee of the Chicago Bar Association....

James Oberholtzer has provided legal services to clients for over 35 years. He has provided legal representation to: Families. Estate planning, family wealth planning, wills and trusts, taxation of wills and trusts, guardianship and conservatorships, creation and administration of trusts, and probate of estates. Entrepreneurs. Closely held companies, family partnerships and individual entrepreneurs in formation and finance of enterprises, acquisitions and joint ventures, strategic planning and executive compensation, entity governance, integration of tax, legal and business objectives, protection of intellectual property and selection and supervision of local counsel. Senior Housing. Senior housing owners and operators...

Justin G. Randolph has been an attorney since 2001. He studied immigration law at DePaul University College of Law in the late 1990s, where he was taught by experts in the field. A clinical asylum course at DePaul gave him his first hands-on experience with highly sensitive and personal cases. Justin worked for boutique law firms after law school, where he handled a wide range of immigration and employment discrimination cases. He established the Law Office of Justin G. Randolph in 2004. In the Chicago area, the firm handled immigration and deportation/removal cases, as well as employment discrimination and harassment...

Attorney Faraj is experienced in criminal defense, military law, personal injury, and business litigation. He is recognized nationally as a trial attorney, who has represented clients before state, military and federal courts. Mr. Faraj first began defending Armed Forces members in the United States Marine Corps. Since then he has began a private practice that focuses on defending service-members as a civilian attorney. If you need assistance with a legal matter, Attorney Faraj is diligent, decorated, and devoted to his clients.

James (Jay) Mitchell joined Lee Sheikh & Haan as an associate in 2022. He has represented clients in a variety of intellectual property matters, including claims of patent infringement, trademark and trade dress infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, breach of contract, and other related equitable and tort claims. Previously, Jay had worked as an associate at a litigation firm where he was involved in all aspects of civil litigation, including taking fact and expert witness depositions, successfully arguing dispositive motions, and preparing and taking cases to trial with positive jury verdict outcomes as lead trial counsel. Jay received his Juris Doctor...

Katherine Levine graduated from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and was admitted into the Illinois Bar in 2008. Prior to becoming an attorney, she served four years active duty as a United States Marine and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 2001. After law school, Katherine worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney until August 2015 where she successfully tried hundreds of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. Today, she is in private practice defending individuals accused of serious state and federal crimes. Her experience as a prosecutor provides her insight into the strategies and...

I graduated from the University of Kentucky as a philosophy and political science double-major. I then worked in the financial services department of a Fortune 500 company for two years prior to attending The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. After obtaining my Juris Doctor, I worked as an associate attorney at a general civil litigation firm with a focus on personal injury and insurance law. There I settled countless cases for my clients, both individual and corporate. As a litigator, I obtained favorable outcomes through mediation, arbitration hearings, and bench and jury trials. Building on that experience, in 2014...

Plaintiff litigation firm concentrating in personal injury since 2009.

My interest in the law began before attending law school. After attending college at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1996), Christopher worked one of the largest insurance companies in Illinois as an injury claims adjustor and later, a senior claims adjustor. After graduating from John Marshall Law School (2002), he worked as an insurance defense and divorce trial attorney. Since the start of his career as an attorney advocate, my practice focuses on divorce and other litigation matters including an active trial practice. My office handles matters in Cook County, Lake County, Will County, DuPage County...

I have nine years of experience as an Immigration Attorney. Additionally, I have a very strong knowledge of employment law and the connection between immigration and Federal and State employment regulations. While I have not counted exactly how many immigration cases I have handled, reviewed, consulted with or been associated with, I estimate that the number is easily in the thousands. Based on this experience there is rarely a situation that I have not seen before. I am AV rated perfect “5.0”, Avvo rated “Superb”, Avvo Client choice awards 2011, 2012, 2013, “Rising Star” Orlando Style Magazine, Lead Counsel Rated...

Timothy Richardson has been exposed to the law for virtually his entire life. His uncle served as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, and his aunt served as a federal administrative judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He has followed in their footsteps with same determination and commitment to professional excellence, integrity, and respect among his peers in the legal community. In 2002, at only 34 years old, Tim received the distinguished honor from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, being chosen as one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch." He has had verdicts...

I represent clients in lawsuits in Illinois and courts around the country. My clients include whistleblowers, employees with pay and discrimiantion claims, students who face challenges at school, LGBTQ individuals fighting discrimination, individuals with significant personal injury claims, and complex business disputes. I bring substantial individual lawsuits and class action cases to fight discrimination in housing and healthcare, to stop racial bias in property tax asesssments, to end sexist employment tests by local governments, to protect the rights of individuals who live in nurising facilites, and to fight fraud. I also handle appeals in state and federal courts that include multiple successful...

Earning his B.A. from St. Xavier College and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School, Thomas M. Power brings extensive knowledge and experience as a partner at Power Rogers & Smith. Amidst the many large sum settlements and verdicts, he recovered the largest knee injury verdict in the history of Indiana. Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Smith serves as an adjunct professor at DePaul College of Law.

Nicole Sommerfeld has focused her law practice on workers’ compensation and personal injury law ever since passing the Illinois bar exam and getting licensed in 1994, so she now has over 25 years of experience on the job. Nicole grew up in the Chicago area, attending Highland Park High School. She went to college at University of Wisconsin - Madison and earned her juris doctorate from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. When she first started practicing law it was a family affair, going to work at her father and brother’s law firm where she focused on helping workers...

Kent Sinson is a personal injury trial attorney in Chicago, Illinois. Since 2000, Mr. Sinson has proudly advocated for victims in personal injury cases throughout Northern Illinois and the surrounding areas. A native of Elmhurst, IL, Mr. Sinson received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. He also played varsity hockey and varsity football during each of his four years at Hamilton. Mr. Sinson went on to attend DePaul University College of Law where he was a member of the trial advocacy team, and he received his Juris Doctor in 1987. Upon his admission to the...

Attorney James J. Morici, Jr. is a trusted Chicago personal injury attorney who has gained a reputation for excellence since he started practicing law in 1979. His areas of focus include, but are not limited to, premises liability, product liability, and construction site negligence. Attorney Morici is sincerely dedicated to helping his clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to, no matter the challenges or difficulties standing in their way. Not only is he passionate about relentlessly pursuing justice on his clients’ behalf, he is endlessly devoted to exploring all possible strategies and solutions to any concerns his clients are...

TiShaunda McPherson is a seasoned employment and education attorney, with over 20 years of experience addressing institutional, regional and systemic discriminatory practices, with specialized expertise in Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA and Section 504. A dedicated advocate for individuals facing or impacted by civil rights violations, TiShaunda is renowned for her ability to achieve successful results for her clients and providing visionary leadership in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. TiShaunda has had an extraordinary professional career allowing her to bring unique and transformative insight into each case with compassion. Beginning as an associate...