Park Ridge Lawyers

Peter Wachowski is a well-rounded lawyer who takes great pride in his work and has a passion for helping people in need. He is constantly looking for ways to improve, and won’t stand for complacency. Peter is well educated and versed in his field, and as a result, he is able to help a wide array of clients with varying needs. He is very hard working, and is always going the extra mile to get the absolute best result for the client, even if that means investing more time and money into a case. He works to have satisfied clients,...

Geo has handled numerous complex business disputes utilizing technology to assist his clients in handling litigation in an economical and efficient manner. Geo's litigation team has extensive experience in state and federal courts, and places the interests of their clients above all other interests.
Geo has been recognized by other attorneys as one of the best trial lawyers in Illinois:
- rated as an Illinois Super Lawyer for his work in business litigation for the past 15 years;
- recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois;
- rated as one of the...

Vicki Hathaway Gonzalez is an experienced facilitator of real estate transactions. Vicki is known for her style of representation that insists that her clients are fully informed of their rights and obligations under their real estate contract, as well as the real consequences of their decisions regarding those rights and obligations.

Vicki's interest in real estate started long before her graduation from John Marshall Law School in 1992. She started investing in real estate in the 1970's, then became a licensed real estate agent, and also taught real estate licensing for the Century 21 Real Estate Academy. As an attorney, she...

Jillian Tattersall’s practice focuses on labor and employment law.

Before moving to Chicago, Jillian worked as an associate in a New York City law firm, representing clients in all aspects of employment law and civil rights litigation. Prior to that, Jillian clerked for United State Magistrate Judges Blewitt, Mannion, and Smyser in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Jillian graduated from The George Washington University before attending Harvard Law School where she served as the Senior Executive Editor for the BlackLetter Law Journal.

Jillian comes to Bellas & Wachowski following several years working as a freelance attorney with a focus on the nonprofit arts...

Misty has worked hard to become an attorney, which was her dream. She earned her two undergraduate degrees while being on active duty in the United States Air Force. She graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina Wesleyan College with dual degrees. During her four years in the military, Misty was responsible for producing a weekly flying and aircraft maintenance schedule for a fleet of 24 F-15 fighter jets. Misty also provided support for Operation Noble Eagle in response to the 9/11 attacks.

At the core of Misty’s practice is her love of the law and her desire to help people....

Thomas Hansen was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up on the South Side of Chicago and Park Ridge, Illinois. Thomas lives in Park Ridge, with his wife and three children. Thomas received a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University, a Certified Public Accountant Certificate from the University of Illinois, a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University, a Juris Doctor with Distinction from John Marshal Law School. Thomas is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants, Illinois Society of Certified Public...

Makedonka Baloski earned a B.A. from Indiana University in 1996 with a double
major in History and Anthropology with a concentration in Eastern
European studies. In 2000, she received a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. She served as an Article Editor for the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Upon admission to the Illinois bar, Makedonka worked in Chicago
mainly focused in civil defense. She is also admitted to practice in Indiana.

With over 20 years of experience, I represent clients in Business, Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law matters. I counsel individuals, small and large businesses with a wide array of legal matters. I am dedicated to providing quality service and zealous representation for my clients.

I received my B.A. from the University of Illinois - Chicago, and my J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. In 1998, I was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, and also the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

I was raised by immigrant entrepreneurs, and have managed and owned my...

Throughout much of Pat's career, he has worked defending insurance companies against personal injury, wrongful death, and healthcare negligence cases. This experience gives Pat a unique perspective, since he knows the "tricks of the trade" which insurance companies use as they value a personal injury claim and defend against a case. With this knowledge and understanding, Pat will ensure you are not taken advantage of in these situations, allowing you to achieve maximum compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Pat has been a trial lawyer for more than a decade and has tried numerous cases to verdict. Pat first developed...

David T. Arena joined Di Monte & Lizak in 1996. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Loyola University of Chicago in 1993, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society and recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. David received his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law with honors in 1996. In 1995, David took first place in the Cleveland Marshall College of Law Moot Court Competition, where he received the Dean’s Moot Court Award for Outstanding Advocate and the Hugo Black Award for Outstanding Oralist. David participated in the 1995 ABA...

Jay S. Judge, the senior partner of Judge, James, Hoban & Fisher, LLC, is a trial, appellate and insurance coverage attorney. He has had more than 85 jury trials and 200 appeals on liability and coverage issues. He is a former claims supervisor who currently represents self insured governmental entities, insurance companies and self insured risk pools. He graduated cum laude from John Marshall Law School where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. Jay has a Martindale-Hubbell rating of “AV Preeminent for 30 Years.” He has written two legal columns for over 30 years: “Federal Courts” in...

Attorney Charles N. Therman is an effective, experienced, compassionate advocate. He represents clients in personal injury, workers' compensation, nursing home abuse, bankruptcy and foreclosure defense matters. He provides straightforward answers and solutions for his clients. Contact Charles for a free consultation!

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.

For more than a decade, Injury Lawyers of Illinois has distinguished itself as efficient, effective advocates who deliver results and superior customer service to its clients. We focus on getting quick resolutions to individuals injured in the state of Illinois. Whether you were injured in an auto accident, lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, or were hurt on the job, Injury Lawyers of Illinois offers the attentive and experienced guidance you need to recover compensation for your damages.

Our reputation for aggressive advocacy, integrity and the relationships we’ve established serve us well when litigating cases. These relationships increase...

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...

Ms. Mule joined Therman Law Offices, LTD., in July, 2010. She concentrates her legal practice on cases concerning both personal injury and workers’ compensation. During her time at Therman Law, she has developed and strengthened her experience negotiating and settling cases at mediation and arbitration as well as trying cases to favorable verdict.

Mrs. Mulé received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School– Chicago. She is admitted to the Illinois State Bar.

Mr. Garcia recently completed his externship with Therman Law Offices and transitioned into the role of associate attorney. He passed the bar in August 2017. He was a law clerk with the firm for 2 years prior to becoming an attorney. Garcia focuses his practice in personal injury and workers’ compensation. Trained personally on the ‘ins and outs’ by Mr. Therman, he continues to grow and learn how to aggressively represent those in need.

Mr. Garcia received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Anthropology, at the The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Juris Doctorate...

Izabela concentrates her practice in estate and trust planning, probate, and estate and trust administration and litigation. Izabela also assists clients in planning for disability and special needs. Izabela also handles guardianship proceedings and serves as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for the Cook County Circuit Court. Additionally, Izabela has experience with domestic and international income tax and business planning, and corporate and individual tax controversies. She also advises clients on business succession matters, wealth transfer and preservation, and corporate, partnership and limited liability company transactions, including drafting various business arrangements and agreements. Izabela was named as an Illinois Super...

Real Estate Closing Attorney: For as little as $295 for Sellers and $450 for Buyers, Attorney Brian Lohse will represent and advocate for you from day 1 until the property closes and the keys are handed over.

Attorney Lohse prides himself on offering personal and friendly service. He will ensure that you stay informed and up-to-date by returning phone calls and emails often within hours.

I understand that many people shop for homes on the weekend. Generally, I can provide assistance on the weekends if you need help. If you have a question or would like to forward a contract...

Mr. William Turner concentrates his practice in the trial of complex personal injury cases. He has represented hundreds of working men and women who have been victims of the negligence of others – gaining equitable compensation for the medical expenses and pain and suffering for his clients. Among his cases are over 100 that reached Illinois juries for resolution. Mr. Turner has also represented hundreds of working men and women who were injured in their workplace in their fight for justice before the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission.

Sam Neschis works with businesses and business owners in a variety of industries. Sam began his career at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where he gained valuable trial and investigative experience. He has been practicing corporate and commercial law in Chicago since 2002 representing businesses and individuals in a wide range of areas including shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, general employment matters, restrictive employment covenants (including non-competition and non-solicitation matters), commercial fraud, and unfair competition. He also represents clients in real estate, trust, and probate...

Mr. Gountanis joined Therman Law Offices, LTD. directly upon completing his summer externship and graduating law school in November, 2010. Gountanis became one of Mr. Therman’s quick understudies, learning the art of aggressive negotiation, arbitration as well as trying cases to favorable verdict.

Mr. Gountanis received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Keller Graduate School of Management - Lincolnshire, and his Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School at Grand Rapids, MI. He is admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Chicago Bar Association (CBA) and...

I have been an attorney for over 35 years. I am a federal trial lawyer. I have tried cases in state and federal court in Illinois and Florida, I am licensed to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States. I have tried divorce and criminal cases in Illinois and Florida. I have tried cases before administrative judges and arbitrators in Florida and Illinois. I graduated De Paul Law school in Chicago and became a member of the Illinois bar in 1983. I attended the masters of Law in Taxation program from 1983-1985. I was admitted to...

I have been practicing law since 1992. My practice has been devoted to helping individuals and families through the areas of criminal defense, DUI, and immigration. I have dealt with individuals and families from all walks of life. I have represented doctors, lawyers, union workers, factory workers, corporate business personnel, immigrants, mothers, fathers, children, students, grandparents, athletes, musicians, members of organized street gangs, nurses, sales people, and truckers. I strive to give honest and hard-working legal representation to all clients.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: I have represented clients charged with drug cases, gun cases, domestic battery,...

Stacey C. Kalamaras is the founding partner of Kalamaras Law Office, LLC. She has extensive intellectual property experience with a focus on trademarks and copyrights, as well as, advertising issues related to promoting clients’ brands.

Mr. Gerstein concentrates his law practice in the areas of insurance law, workers' compensation, negligence, business disputes and criminal defense. He has over 40 years of trial experience in the above areas of law. He has represented people and companies involved in complex business disputes; people and companies whose insurance claims were denied; people injured on the job or otherwise; and people accused of crimes. He has tried hundreds of cases to either juries, judges or arbitrators. As a result of the complexity of the law today, Mr. Gerstein believes every client matter requires thorough thought, investigation, research...

“I BELIEVE THAT CLIENTS ARE BEST SERVED BY THE PREVENTION OF LEGAL PROBLEMS THROUGH CAREFUL AND THOROUGH ADVICE GIVEN PRIOR TO THEIR ENTERING INTO TRANSACTIONS AND BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS.”

- Chicago-Kent College of Law - Loyola University Chicago - Former Sergeant of United States Marines