Washburn Lawyers

Daniel R. Flaherty, founder and managing attorney of Flaherty Law,LLC is a respected and accomplished trial lawyer with a history of success representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His practice focuses on personal injury matters, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, product liability, and estate planning. Daniel began his career in insurance defense litigation representing individuals in personal injury and property damage matters. In 2010, he decided his true passion was representing individuals injured due to no fault of their own. So, Daniel joined a larger, Chicago-area trial firm and began exclusively representing individuals in various personal injury matters. In his...

Robert Kramer worked as a front-end supervisor at Builder's Square while attending law school, using the position to help finance his education. He earned his law degree from Northern Illinois School of Law in 1993. After graduation, Robert joined a law office that provided commercial real estate services to restaurant franchises across the Midwest. He later moved to a general practice litigation firm in Hinsdale, Illinois, where he concentrated on divorce and family law, real estate transactions, and personal injury cases. In 1997, Robert opened his own law firm, establishing his first office in Plainfield. Nearly two decades later, in 2016,...

At a very young age, Dexter John Evans envisioned himself as an advocate for the sick and injured. The grandson of a Chicago union worker, he has always felt a strong urge to help those trying to protect their rights. It is from this foundation that Dexter established himself as an aggressive advocate for the rights of his clients. “The greatest satisfaction in my profession is the gratitude of my clients. There is no better feeling than to get a hug from a client who is in tears because they finally received the justice they deserve. The thank you letters...

With over 30 years of legal practice, Sandra Petras Bruckner is adept in assisting clients with navigating complex financial matters & providing options that maintain assets within families as they transition. In addition to her deft analytical skills, Sandra Petras Bruckner is known for her compassion, always carefully respectfully recognizing each client’s unique interests and concerns.

As a trained family law mediator & collaborative attorney, Sandra Petras Bruckner believes that the mediation & collaborative process options can better help people resolve family related legal disputes. In these roles, she helps clients unravel their legal issues, analyze their situation, and get to...

Following in his father’s footsteps as a legal advocate, Springfield personal injury lawyer James Ackerman established his practice in 1989.

Our approach to the law and to meeting our clients' needs comes from Jim Ackerman's belief that clients are best served when they are fully informed and engaged in every aspect of their case. Jim is a former prosecutor who handles injury claims and who coaches other attorneys on the finer points of case preparation, taking a case to trial, and the art of handling juries. Jim brings years of legal and courtroom experience to bear on every case.

Jim Ackerman...

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...

I am an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois since 2017. I have been continuously licensed in Illinois since 2017. I am admitted to practice in all state courts in Illinois. I have been continuously licensed in Wisconsin since 2021. I am admitted to practice in all state courts in Wisconsin.

I have been practicing law since 2001. I graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in May of 2001 and from DePaul University in June of 1996. My main area of concentration is family law, i.e., divorce, paternity, child support, allocation of parental responsibilities (formerly known as custody) and adoption. As a family law attorney, I understand that my clients have to make difficult decisions while dealing with complex issues and emotions. As such, I believe that the key to successful representation depends not only in understanding the underlying issues, but, also in experience and expertise in the law...

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...

Concentrating in helping and defending people accused of crimes, DUI and traffic offenses. Aggressive.

Zealous representation of private and court appointed clients in trial and appellate
courts. Practice includes crimes such as homicide, assault, drug distribution, drug
possession, fraud, DUI, Home Invasion, Sex Offenses and traffic tickets; Jury trials,
bench trials, and contested motions dispositive of the case; Research, draft, file and
serve Appellate briefs, Petitions for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois State Supreme Court,
Post Conviction and 2-1401 petitions for trial courts; Oral Arguments before the Illinois
State Appellate Court, Second Judicial District.

At O’Flaherty Law, we are your community law firm. We are committed to providing personalized, efficient, and quality legal service. We pride ourselves on our “above-and-beyond” approach to client care, affordable fees, and communication. Please call us today at (630)324-6666 to schedule a free in-person or phone consultation. We are located in Downers Grove, Illinois. Our attorneys are happy to meet with you at our office or any other location convenient to you in order to work to accomplish your legal goals. Our team has experience in many areas of law including but not limited to divorce and family...

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...

Steven N. Peskind has reinvented Illinois Family Law. Mr. Peskind believes that a successful divorce results from the intersection of three competencies: legal skill, positive decision making, and financial analysis. As a result, he has compiled a team of highly trained professionals dedicated to helping our clients achieve that success. The lawyers at Peskind Law Firm are skilled negotiators, legal analysts, problem solvers and courtroom advocates. Mr. Peskind is one of only 100 lawyers in the nation elected as a Diplomate to the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an honor society reflecting accomplishments in Family...

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...

Jonathan T. Nessler began his legal career with Nessler & Associates in 2007. His practice is focused on personal injury claims, including catastrophic automobile accidents, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Mr. Nessler has dedicated his entire legal career to helping injured people recover for their loss. He is recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer in Illinois. He is also recognized by The Law Bulletin Publishing Company Leading Lawyers as an Emerging Lawyer. - Education Bachelor of Science...

Rory T. Weiler is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) who concentrates his practice in family law, with an emphasis on cases involving child custody and more complex economic issues, especially those involving family and closely held businesses. He is a member of the Leading Lawyers Network, and has been recognized as an Illinois “Super Lawyer” and as one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”

Rory is a member of the Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) and Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). He actively serves the ISBA and its charitable arm, the Illinois Bar Foundation. He has...

Jane E. Nagle is a founding partner of Nagle & Giese, P.C., and she concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of divorce and family law in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall, Lake and surrounding collar counties. Over the years, Jane has handled numerous pre-decree and post-decree divorce cases as well as paternity, child support enforcement, and contested cases involving the allocation of parental decision-making and parenting time. Jane is also experienced in handling chapter 7 bankruptcy cases as well as negotiating various types of unsecured debts, obtaining excellent settlements for her clients facing financial hardship. Through her years...

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,...

Mr. Houlihan was admitted to the State Bar of Illinois in 1986. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois as a member of the trial bar. He has been admitted to the Capital Litigation Trial Bar of the State of Illinois to represent criminal defendants in death penalty cases. Mr. Houlihan is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, where he has served as Co-Chairman of the Younger Members Committee (1988-1989); Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee (1990-1991); and Chairman of the Membership Committee (2000-2001). He is...

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...

Amanda concentrates her practice in the areas of trusts and estates. She prosecutes and defends trustees, executors, and administrators, relating to will contest, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, business wind-up, estate accounting, and trust accounting disputes through initial filings, discovery, trial, and post-trial issues such as appeals. Amanda also provides services in trust administration, probate administration, and general litigation. Amanda is an experienced litigator, having represented clients in appeals, estate and trust contests, business disputes, commercial disputes, elder abuse issues, and guardianships. She is known for building and maintaining relationships with clients through trust and collaboration.

David J. Winthers is a lifelong resident of DuPage County having graduated from Wheaton Central High School in 1974 and Wheaton College in 1977.

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...

James J. Laraia is an energetic, well-rounded attorney with knowledge and experience in family law, civil, and criminal matters. He routinely practices in DuPage, Kane, Will, DeKalb, and Kendall counties. After obtaining his B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College in 1997, Mr. Laraia went on to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Northern Illinois University in 2001. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney and then went into private practice in 2003.

Mr. Laraia focuses his practice in family law and civil litigation and has experience handling matrimonial law, child custody and child support issues, post-decree petitions, adoptions, and parentage cases. He...

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...

I previously owned and operated a carpentry sub-contracting company. Having worked on job sites and managed the company, I have a deep understanding of the construction industry that is unique compared to attorneys who have never been directly involved in the field. I focus on construction law, mechanic's lien law, and construction litigation, representing clients in disputes related to payment, performance, defects, delays, and contracts. Additionally, I assist clients with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts and agreements. I have successfully handled cases in state courts, arbitration, and mediation, securing favorable outcomes for my clients. I am passionate about advocating for...

The "Law Offices of Steven R. Roach" is a full service criminal defense practice with office locations in Chicago, Schaumburg, and Wheaton, Illinois. We provide tough, experienced, effective representation on behalf of adults and juveniles throughout the greater Chicagoland area, and all surrounding suburbs. We are pleased to offer a free consultation. Our practice areas include, but are not limited to, Personal Injury, Criminal defense, Worker's Compensation, DUI, Traffic, Driver's License Revocation Reinstatement, FOID Firearm Owners Rights Reinstatement. To contact one of our law offices, call 312-421-8820 / 847-685-6000 / 630-573-8500. You may also contact us...

Lisa M. Nyuli has been a partner since joining the firm of Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. in 2000. Prior to joining the firm, for the first 10 years of her career, she worked as an attorney in Aurora, Illinois and in Geneva, Illinois. She was licensed in 1989 and focuses her practice primarily in all areas of family law. In 2008, she became a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Ms. Nyuli is also active in the Illinois State Bar Association as a member, having served two terms on the Board of Governors, and...

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.

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...

At The Law Offices of Carlos H. Davalos we concentrate in providing clients with aggressive representation in Felony, Criminal, DUI, and Major Traffic cases. Mr. Davalos's work is recognized nationally and locally as exceptional in the area of Criminal and DUI defense. Attorney Davalos has been recognized by the lawyer ratings organization "Super Lawyers" as being one of the top tier criminal defenders in the State. Similarly the "Top 100 National Trial Lawyers" organization has selected Mr. Davalos as being one of the top trial lawyers in the state of Illinois. Mr. Davalos retains membership in the "National College of...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Craig Mannarino has consistently obtained significant jury verdicts and settlements for his clients in lawsuits involving medical malpractice, automobile negligence, pharmaceutical mass torts, and other catastrophic injury & wrongful death cases. His record of success includes over $50 million in jury verdicts to date. In 2015, he was one of a small group of lawyers leading the consolidated Cook County, Illinois pharmaceutical litigation involving the diabetes drug Actos® which resolved $2.4 billion, one of the largest pharmaceutical settlements ever.

In 2016, Craig was accepted as a Fellow into the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to 500 U.S....