Winnetka Lawyers

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.

I am a licensed patent attorney with the USPTO. If you have an idea for an invention and want to start a company based on that idea, I can help get your idea off the ground. I help entrepreneurs start a business, register their intellectual property (i.e., patents, trademarks, copyrights), draft/negotiate any commercial contract agreements (e.g., employment, lease, distributor, services, licenses, assignments, website terms/privacy, etc.). I also have experience with marketing/advertising review for products and services (e.g., website review for legal liability). Specifically, I help healthcare companies with FDA and FTC regulatory review of foods, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, drugs, and...

Connor is a founding partner of Jackson LLP, an entrepreneurial health law firm. He focuses his practice on the business side of healthcare law, which aligns with his detail-orientation, strong problem-solving skills, and business background.

Connor enjoys working with clients to create their ideal practice environment and build a strong compliance foundation that supports long-term success. He strives to not just counsel, but educate his clients on key laws and regulations, giving them the tools to make legally prudent decisions moving forward.

Connor earned his undergraduate business degree from Oregon State University and worked in the real estate sector. He then graduated...

Erin is a healthcare attorney and Firmwide Managing Partner of Jackson LLP, a client-centered law firm that offers healthcare providers a comprehensive, full-service solution. Erin focuses on practice start-up and compliance and also spearheads the firm’s healthcare consulting services. In addition, Erin serves as the President of the nonprofit organization Inspire Santé. Because of her healthcare knowledge and patient experience, Erin is a sought-after speaker. She is passionate about creating positive change in healthcare and teaching individuals how to advocate for their needs within the medical system.

Erin was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she graduated from...

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...

For over 28 years, Margaret Szymansky has provided experienced representation to clients through Probate and Trust Administration proceedings. She assists clients in the effective resolution of existing claims and the transfer of assets. Margaret guides executors, trustees, and personal representatives of the estate and assists them in the successful closure of the estate. She further concentrates her practice in the area of Estate Planning, such as Wills and Trusts, including Special Needs Planning for disabled individuals and guardianship proceedings, Elder Law with a focus on Medicaid issues, and Real Estate law. For her dedication, leadership, and excellence in legal service,...

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....

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...

Diana Taylor focuses her practice on solving employment-related disputes for her clients. Whether assisting an employee or employer, Diana seeks to address these disputes from an approachable perspective. However, she has also successfully litigated and defended matters before various state courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and employment-related administrative agencies.

Having begun her legal career in a litigation practice focusing on personal injury and contract disputes, she led litigation against individuals, small businesses, and professionals and served as a key contributor in multi-faceted litigation and disputes against corporate defendants including insurance carriers, car...

Benjamin Lawson is a former prosecutor who now runs his own practice handling cases ranging from criminal defense to DUI defense and traffic tickets. He also handles personal injury cases and advises small businesses. He practices primarily in Kankakee County, Will County and Cook County.

C. Dean Matsas [known as "Dean"], is the owner of "C. Dean Matsas & Assoc., PC," also known as: MakeItBetterLaw. Born and raised in Chicagoland, to Greek immigrants, Dean understands and appreciates the day-to-day struggles people and their families face. He is a licensed attorney for over 30 years and has extensive experience and knowledge of the law, concentrating in the areas of injury law and debt relief or bankruptcy, helping 100's of clients and their families over the years, to either receive compensation or to get rid of debt. He focuses on giving his clients personal and individualized...

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...

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...

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.

Bobby Shulman is the co-managing partner of Stein & Shulman and specializes in representing individuals who have sustained serious personal injuries. Bobby has achieved more than 30 million dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients over his 20 plus years of practicing law. His practice area specialties include auto accidents, slip and falls, bicycle accidents, medical and nursing home negligence, and work-related injuries. The majority of Bobby’s litigation files involve the retention and usage of expert witnesses, especially in the premises liability area where expert testimony is critical to framing the theory of liability and proving your case. His background...

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...

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...

Born and raised in Chicago, Uri has been representing buyers and seller in real estate transactions since 2005. He has also held executive level positions in a variety of companies involving real estate investment, management and title, giving him a unique perspective that he brings to his clients in every transaction. Uri obtained his Doctor of Law (JD), graduating Cum Laude, from DePaul University College of Law.

Cary M. Stein is the co-managing partner of Stein & Shulman, LLC and specializes in representing individuals who have sustained serious personal injuries. Recently he has been concentrating in representing individuals who have sustained injuries after accidents with uninsured and underinsured motorists. Cary has collected multiple millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients over his 28 plus years of practicing law. He has tried 25 jury cases to verdict and has arbitrated over 500 mandatory and uninsured motorist cases. His practice areas include auto accidents, slip and falls, bicycle accidents, medical and nursing home negligence, and work related...

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...

Ben Schneider is a client focused which means that it is important to him to cultivate a personal relationship with each of his clients. By doing this, he is able to give each new client’s case individual attention and analyze every legal issue thoroughly and completely.

Ben Schneider acts as the one of the principal bankruptcy attorneys for Schneider & Stone where he focuses on individual Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings as well as business Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 filings. Ben also practices in the areas of family law and litigation and is the point attorney for divorce and...

Unlike most other attorneys, as a former immigrant student of law, I have keen understanding about common needs of people of immigrant communities. I specialize in family/employment immigration, deportation defenses, all issues regarding visas, and asylum. You can have an assurance that I will resolve your immigration problem in timely, efficient, and more importantly, creative manner.

Robert Good Lohman III has over 23 years of legal experience. Based in his hometown of Des Plaines, Illinois, Lohman Law Group, LLC is a multi-specialty legal practice designed to support and facilitate real estate, business, and other legal solutions throughout the Chicagoland area. Robert Lohman is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois. To date, Robert Lohman has personally tried over 30 jury cases as a solo or a first-chair trial attorney across the Chicagoland area, including the Law Division and most of the Municipal Districts of Cook County Circuit Court the Lake County Circuit Court and the...

The Law Offices of Paul Marinov, P.C. focuses its practices in the area of family and immigration law. We are a results-oriented law firm dedicated to serving our clients’ needs and finding practical solutions to even the most complex legal issues. We will take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and fully explain the laws involved in your case. We will work tirelessly to provide the legal assistance you need so that your case is resolved as quickly as possible while achieving the best possible outcome. Based on our extensive experience in a wide verity of...

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...

In estate planning: We all need an estate plan, yet we all need something different. Tracy's goal is to provide clients with a plan that addresses the unique needs of the individual and family. Tracy’s practice is focused on estate planning such as drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney for healthcare or property, and counseling clients on the administration of estates. Tracy guides individuals to plan for the future giving them the comfort of knowing they have clearly disseminated their wishes to family.

Attorney Hannah C. Blackwell established Blackwell Law, LLC in 2023 in an effort to better serve the immigrant communities to which she has dedicated her career. Hannah has had a passion for immigration law ever since she witnessed an ICE raid of a work place in her hometown when she was a teenager. Hannah saw first-hand the massive, devastating impact this raid had on her community, and it sparked a fire in her to fight for the rights of the undocumented and their families. Hannah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing with cum laude honors and a President’s...

Henry B. Samuels is a member of Samuels & Bernstein in Highland Park, Illinois. He has a wide ranging practice and represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters before Federal and State Courts as well as administrative agencies. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Samuels has achieved tremendous results both at trial and through settlement. Mr. Samuels criminal practice includes representation of clients charged with Felonies, DUI’s, Misdemeanors, Traffic and Ordinance Violations. His areas of concentration include but are not limited to representing individuals in civil litigation matters, residential and commercial real estate transactions, and small businesses...

Chicago Attorney practicing in all of the practice areas listed.

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...

Neda Nozari is an attorney and mediator with her office based in Evanston, Illinois. Neda’s experience includes but is not limited to the practice areas of business, employment, real estate, fair housing and education. She has experience mediating a vast range of legal, personal and organizational issues. She is a highly skilled negotiator and a trained and proficient facilitator of communication.

She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and later from The John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctorate. Her greatest skill is being able to understand the needs and interests of parties and to...

Globally aware and community focused, attorney Mary K. Neal has a talent for language and penchant for logical reasoning that makes immigration law a natural fit for her legal practice. The Law Office of Mary K. Neal is dedicated to assisting clients overcome life's obstacles to build a better future for their families here in the United States. The firm is available to serve the legal needs of Rogers Park, West Ridge, and greater Chicago. For immigration matters, the firm accepts clients from all states where such representation is allowed by law. Individuals and families can face many problems as a result...

Gene received his Juris Doctorate Degree from DePaul University College of Law.

He is admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of the United States, Supreme Court of the State of Illinois, U.S. Federal District Court For The Northern District of Illinois, Federal Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and to practice Immigration Law in all jurisdictions of the United States.

Mr. Meltser is also licensed in the U.K. as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Gene is a co-founder of Immigrant Legal Defense Committee. Mr. Meltser is a member of the American...

When you’re ready to grow your concept into something bigger, you need an attorney who will help build your business every step of the way, who will be there to answer your questions. You need an attorney who understands the business of invention. More than just getting you a patent, trademark or copyright, Lesley Wallerstein is your startup’s idea counsel. Educated at MIT and trained at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, I have the technical and legal skills to get the job done right.