Top best L Lawyers in ZIP 60045 | 101 available

Uniquely qualified Attorney specializing in Estates/Trusts, Probate, Business. Formations, Real Estate Transactions and Closings who also holds the following professional designations:. * CPA- Certified Public Accountant. * CFP- Certified Financial Planner. * CLU- Chartered Life Underwriter. * ChFC-Chartered Financial Consultant. Please feel free to call for a FREE initial consultation.

Understanding that reaching an equitable financial settlement is a priority for clients, Carlton Marcyan, a partner of the firm and a certified public accountant and financial planner, applies his business acumen to financial discovery, analysis and litigation. With a focus on preserving assets, he guides clients to strategic decisions that have a positive return. Well-regarded by the business community and judges, Mr. Marcyan represents high-level executives and their spouses.. Known for his respectful style, Mr. Marcyan believes that listening carefully to clients and working together with them makes for a stronger case. He emphasizes matching the right divorce process to the client's needs. An experienced litigator, Mr. Marcyan has also been a leader in collaborative law.. Prior to joining Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Mr. Marcyan worked for Coopers & Lybrand, one of the largest international accounting firms, and the Internal Revenue Service. His accounting expertise enables him to evaluate businesses objectively and quickly understand financial circumstances that elude other divorce lawyers.. A graduate of the John Marshall Law School, Mr. Marcyan received his bachelor's degree from DePaul University and completed his MBA, with honors, at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is a Fellow of both the American and International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the American Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois Society of CPAs, and Financial Planning Association. He is the past president of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois.  He currently serves as the president of the Lake County Bar Foundation.. Mr. Marcyan is listed in Best Lawyers of America, named a Leading Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, selected an Illinois Super Lawyer, and honored as the 2012 Chicago Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" and the 2014 and 2011 Chicago Collaborative Law "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America.. He is the author of numerous articles and presents programs throughout the country on topics including trial practice, financial and tax aspects of divorce  and collaborative law.

Sonia E. Pasquesi is a skilled and resolute attorney who provides strong, client-focused representation in divorce and family law. She combines her deep understanding of the law with a tactical approach to address the personal and complex challenges her clients face. Sonia is a firm and strategic advocate, ensuring her clients are informed of their options while pursuing resolutions that protect their interests. Her persistence and dedication inspire confidence, making her a trusted partner in navigating difficult legal matters.. Sonia’s legal career includes significant experience at a medium-sized law firm representing major lenders in foreclosure and bankruptcy cases. This background gave her a strong foundation in complex financial matters, which she now leverages in intricate divorce and family law cases. Additionally, Sonia clerked for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and a Federal Judge, gaining valuable insights into judicial decision-making that enhance her advocacy strategies.. Admitted to practice in Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Sonia is an active member of the Lake County Bar Association and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County. Her expertise and commitment make her a trusted advocate for her clients.

Since 1996, I have represented everyday people from all walks of life against large corporations and insurance companies and have won large verdicts and settlements in difficult cases personal injury, medical malpractice and workplace negligence.

Robert Reda obtained his Bachelors Degree in Economics & Political Science, with a minor in Finance from Drake University in Iowa.  Mr. Reda attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago where he acquired his Juris Doctorate.  He immediately took the Bar Examination, opened his law firm and began practicing law in Chicago, Illinois.  As a lawyer with Reda & Des Jardins, Ltd., he manages the firm and represents a myriad of clients within the business community.  Robert has formed, merged, divested and dissolved hundreds of companies.  He has worked with clients as large as Citibank and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority to as small as his grandfather’s retail store.  In addition, Robert has worked with the real estate development community, including banks, developers, and end users in the acquisition, development, and sale of parcels from small six flats to hundred million dollar portfolios.  Robert has also litigated in numerous federal and state courts throughout the country, covering a variety of cases and issues.  Aside from the workplace, Mr. Reda is actively involved with multiple professional and civic organizations and continues his interest in sports and other recreational outdoor activities. If you are looking for a lawyer, who is versatile, actively engaged, and someone who cares, then Mr. Reda is the person to handle the issue on hand.

No nonsense, straight forward legal representation and litigation.

My office is in Lake Forest, but I've closed deals in Chicago and every collar county, so whether you're in Barrington or Berwyn, Lake Villa or Lockport, Wheaton or Waukegan, I am ready to assist you in your home purchase or sale.. I have closed hundreds upon hundreds of real estate transactions in the Chicagoland area since 1999.  I work to ensure that every client in a real estate purchase or sale receives my personal attention, is treated with respect, and knows that I will do my utmost to guide them to a successful closing. Prompt, professional, personalized service.

Michael S. Sabath is a distinguished litigator with over twenty-five years of experience in all areas of family and matrimonial law, including matters involving complex financial issues, corporate valuations, non-marital asset protection, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, as well as child custody, support, and visitation (including grandparent visitation).. Mr. Sabath is the managing partner of Berger Schatz’s Lake Forest office and has been a partner with Berger Schatz for over fifteen years.. A skilled negotiator, Mr. Sabath assists clients in reaching favorable settlements without the necessity of trial when possible. Mr. Sabath also regularly represents clients successfully in trials and appeals.. In 1999, Mr. Sabath was one of the youngest attorneys ever nominated as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Illinois Chapter). He has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyerseach year since the inception of the designation, and named to the Leading Lawyer Network each year since 2004. He has earned a peer rating of BV Distinguished by Martindale Hubbell and also recently recognized and included in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.. Mr. Sabath is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association; was past co-chair of the Family Law Committee Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Illinois Chapter, and past Illinois Chapter Board of Managers of the Illinois Chapter of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers).

Kristin M. Howeth is a tenacious and strategic attorney specializing in divorce and family law. She is known for her ability to develop creative, practical solutions that align with her clients’ goals. A skilled litigator, Ms. Howeth has successfully handled complex family law cases, earning a reputation for her persuasive oral and written advocacy. Her clients trust her to navigate the legal process with confidence and precision, addressing challenges as they arise.. Ms. Howeth’s diverse legal background includes experience in civil litigation and criminal law, which enhances her ability to tackle multifaceted family law issues. She previously served as a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant at the John Marshall Law School, a role that refined her analytical and writing skills. Her tenure in the Criminal Appeals Division at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office further strengthened her expertise in crafting compelling legal arguments.. Recognized as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2022, Ms. Howeth is also a co-author and presenter at the Lake County Bar Association Family Law Conference. She is admitted to practice in Illinois and is an active member of the Lake County Bar Association and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.

Karen M. Schetz is a Partner at Steiner Howeth Pasquesi & Hatch, where she provides compassionate, client-focused representation in family law matters. With a background in psychology, Karen takes a thoughtful approach to understanding her clients’ unique family dynamics and tailoring her strategies to their needs. She is a strong advocate for resolving disputes out of court to reduce conflict and preserve family resources. When litigation is necessary, Karen is a skilled and determined advocate for her clients’ best interests.. Karen’s practice encompasses all areas of matrimonial law, including child custody, property division, maintenance and child support, financial discovery, and post-decree matters. She also drafts pre- and post-nuptial agreements and has extensive experience representing business owners, professionals, and their spouses in complex, high-asset cases. Her dedication and expertise have earned her recognition in Best Lawyers in America (2018–2024) and accolades from Leading Lawyers and Illinois Super Lawyers.. Karen is admitted to practice in Illinois and is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and Lake County Bar Association. She is committed to guiding her clients through the divorce process with professionalism and care.

Joshua Jackson is a partner with Jackson Buckley & Pfanenstiel LLP. An experienced litigator and skilled negotiator, he focuses his practice on complex family law matters, including novel property division and support issues, interstate and international issues, business valuation, interstate custody disputes, trusts, tax issues, and orders of protection.. Hallmarks of Joshua’s representation are individualized attention, exceptional client communication, enthusiasm for tackling the most difficult legal issues, and working tenaciously to resolve his client’s problems using a strategic, practical approach. Joshua believes that having a mastery of the law, negotiation strategy, and trial skills is critical to successfully representing clients. Equally important, and often overlooked, is understanding people - what motivates them, what will convince them to accept a client’s position, and what will stop them from taking a harmful course of action. That is what many disputes are about at their core. Joshua utilizes his skills and experience to favorably resolve his clients’ disputes.. Family law cases, unlike most types of litigation, involve ever-changing facts. Successful representation requires strategic thinking and a broad skillset. Joshua collaborates with other attorneys to settle cases, but when necessary, litigates the most difficult issues presented in family law cases. He frequently represents clients who come from other attorneys and are dissatisfied with their one-size-fits-all approach. Joshua understands that all too often, attorneys have an always settle or always litigate mentality. One of the most important aspects of his representation is advising a client when to be aggressive and when to collaborate. “I will tell you when to tap the breaks and when to hit the accelerator.”. Among his many career achievements, Joshua has earned recognition to “The Best Lawyers in America” list since 2016 and was honored as one of Law Bulletin Media’s “40 Under Forty Illinois Attorneys to Watch” in 2018. Joshua has also been named to the Illinois Leading Lawyers list and to the Illinois Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers since 2014. He has been called upon as a speaker and lecturer on family law issues including tax issues, property division, bifurcation, and arbitration for bar associations and as a guest lecturer at DePaul University College of Law.. A published author, Joshua has written articles for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Law Journal Newsletters, and he has also co-authored the chapter on Marital Settlement Agreements for multiple editions of “Illinois Family Law: Property and Financial Aspects of Dissolution Actions” for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.. Joshua’s notable post-law school training includes the Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute Workshop and the American Bar Association / National Institute for Trial Attorneys’ Trial Advocacy Institute.. An active leader in his community, Joshua has served as President of the Lake Forest Caucus – a non-partisan volunteer organization that identifies, vets, and slates individuals for community leadership positions including mayor, alderman, and school board. He served as President as part of four (4) years of service in that organization.

I take pride in my highly personalized approach which takes into account the individual needs and goals of each of my clients to create a custom tailored estate plan. My background as a C.P.A. and former IRS attorney, along with a 30-year legal career, complements my “straight talk” and strong technical analysis in leading clients through the estate planning, trust administration and estate tax maze.

I received my Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. I have been practicing law for over 14 years with experience in all areas of family and matrimonial law, including custody and visitation, maintenance, child support, financial issues, adoptions and post decree actions.  I am a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, The Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County, and  Lake County Bar Association Family Law Committee.

I have been licensed in Illinois since 1974, practicing in the Cook County State's Attorney's office for 3 years (1974 - 1977); My family lived on Long Island, New York for several years, so I also became licensed in New York in 1981 and worked for several years in the Queens District Attorney's Office (1985-1986); we returned to Illinois in 1986 and I worked in the Lake County State's Attorney's office from 1987 to 1991.. I have been in private practice since 1991.  My practice is a general practice -handling adoptions primarily, residential real estate closings, probate, guardianship (both disabled adults and minors), juvenile matters, preparation of wills and trusts. I am also an experienced criminal defense attorney and will accept clients with felony or criminal cases, including DUI and traffic violations.

I embrace my role as more than just your attorney, but rather a guide for you in the domestic relations legal system. Whether the issue is simply a divorce, parenting issues, child support, spousal support, or understanding how a family business gets factored into a dissolution situation, going through the legal system is oftentimes one of the more difficult parts of your life.. I believe my job is not only to advocate on your behalf and fight in Court when necessary, but to assist you in weighing options, encourage communications when possible, and ensure that your best interest are being considered whether that be going to trial or working through a peaceable resolution. I believe that trial is always an option, but not necessarily the only option. I find my job, my role within the legal profession, to be profoundly rewarding in aiding people through such a troubling time in which I have unique experience and insight.. I have handled highly contested custody cases, high net worth cases, cases involving family businesses, and all other varieties of family situations.  I represent litigants in domestic violence situations, obtaining and defending against orders of protection.  I am a friend to the LGBTQ community and supportive of all versions of family dynamics that require legal services in the domestic relations legal system.. I am certified to serve as a mediator and also have had training in the collaborative practice. I am also experienced in the areas of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. I have been published in the ISBA Family law newsletter and the Illinois Bar Journal on a variety of subjects relevant to litigants and practitioners in the domestic relations field. I have tried and settled cases in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties.

I am a true advocate for my clients, their families and their businesses. I help them achieve their goals and I tirelessly pursue and offer solutions that give them peace of mind now...and for the future. I help them plan for LIFE and LEGACY.. With over 21 years of experience, I take seriously my role not only as an Attorney, but as a Counselor at Law. I LISTEN intently to my clients---noting their wishes, goals and dreams. It is only at this point that I then guide clients through a myriad of financial and legal decisions to enable them to effectively plan for their families and reach their goals. I assist clients with estate planning, including family protection, wealth preservation, charitable gift planning and values-based planning, as well as planning strategies for unmarried couples and divorced individuals. In addition, as a business owner myself, I also combine my legal expertise and acute business acumen to assist my clients in planning for the creation, growth and success of their businesses and nonprofits.

Fredric Bryan Lesser has been continuously engaged in the private practice of law in Chicago and Lake Forest for 40 years as both a litigator and estate planner, representing individuals and families, and counseling owners and principals of privately held businesses. Over the years, he has developed a proficiency in drafting effective and efficient estate and trust documents. He also has a mastery of relevant tax issues, yielding real benefits and tangible results for his clients. A wealth of practical experience representing real people in the real world helps him to create a well-tailored plan for each client. He believes that estate planning should be practical and cost-efficient. "When we are working with a client to create a plan, we encourage them to keep the plan simple yet flexible enough to allow for unexpected developments. People need individual plans that suit their lives and their legacy." Rick is also licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.

David M. Lutrey is the managing partner of the Lake Forest law firm of Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe, LLP.  For the past 20 years, Mr. Lutrey has counseled individuals and corporate fiduciaries as a seasoned litigation attorney in the areas of trusts, estates, probate and guardianships.  He assists individuals in the creation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents that preserve and transfer meaningful legacies.. In addition to representing individuals and corporate fiduciaries in their capacities as trustee, executor, guardian or agent, Lutrey also represents financial institutions in their own right with regard to the creation and implementation of trust and estate policy manuals, risk management strategies and employee training.. David Lutrey is a powerful and effective litigator and has chaired numerous trials in Lake, Cook and McHenry Counties as well as appearing in Federal District Court involving complex trust and estate issues.  His trial successes include a recent $1,000,000 undue influence award in the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit in Lake in the estate of Augusta Gershman, deceased.  He has also been involved in numerous appeals addressing or creating new law, including the published decisions of the Estate of Helen Weiland, Deceased, and the Estate of Walsh, Deceased.. Lutrey is a respected and frequent speaker and writer on estate planning, administration and litigation issues. He served on the legal education and outreach committees of the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Estate Planning Short Course from 2009-2016.  He is a member of the ISBA’s Trusts and Estates Section Council and the Chicago Estate Planning Council.  He is a Past President of the Lake County Estate Planning Council and recently completed his fifth consecutive term as Chair of the Lake County Bar Association’s Trusts and Estates Committee.. Lutrey is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”) and Litigation Counsel of America (“LCA”), and was an adjunct trust and estate professor at Loyola Law School in Chicago from 2012 – 2015.  In 2015, Lutrey drafted portions of the Illinois trust legislation allowing distributions of trust in further trust (“decanting”).. David Lutrey is well known and respected by his peers. He was rated “AV” by both the bar and judiciary according to Martindale Hubbell; he was selected by Thompson Reuters as a “Super Lawyer” for the years 2014 through the present; and selected by the Law Bulletin Publishing Group as a “Leading Lawyer” for the years 2016 through the present.

Brian earned his Bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Michigan in 1997, where he also became fluent in Spanish.  He then attended law school at the University of Illinois College of Law.  He graduated in 1997 and became licensed to practice law that same year.. Brian began working at a prominent defense firm in Chicago where he focused on mass tort and medical malpractice cases.  Those included asbestos, latex glove and Fen-Phen cases.. Brian then joined a Plantiff’s law firm in 1999 where he quickly rose to partner. He spent more than sixteen years at that firm where his practice was devoted solely to the areas of medical malpractice, nursing home and catastrophic personal injury matters. During that time, Brian was instrumental in obtaining several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Those included a $17.3 million settlement for a woman hit by a bus, a $17 million settlement for a person hit by a car in her driveway, a $7 million settlement for a newborn baby who was given an overdose of medication in the hospital, a $4.8 million verdict for a woman whose surgeon committed medical malpractice, a $4.25 million settlement for a baby due to medical negligence, a $1.75 million settlement for a man who was dropped in a hopsital and suffered a mild brain injury, and a $1.2 million settlement/verdict for a seventy-three year old man whose doctors committed malpractice.. Brian is an active member of the Lake County Bar Association. He is currently the Second Vice President of the organization and will take over as President in 2018.  In 2012 he was first elected to the Board of Directors and in 2015 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. He is the chairman of the Civil Trial and Appeals Committee for the Bar Association and frequently gives presentations on trial topics and issues.. Brian is nationally recognized for his high-tech approach to streamlining trials with technology and was featured in the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Journal for his technologically-advanced trial work. Brian regularly gives presentations to lawyers, paralegals, and law students.. Brian is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Board of Advocates. He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and American Association for Justice.

Attorney Donald G. Olsen is the owner and founder of Waypoint Estate and Business Planning and the Law Offices of Donald G. Olsen P.C.  Since 1989, Don has helped a wide range of clients confidently navigate complex estate and business planning issues. Don closely collaborates with other attorneys, financial planners, accountants, and insurance professionals in order to achieve the specialized planning goals of each and every client, one client at a time.. Don has extensive experience in all phases of estate planning, probate and trust administration, and estate and gift tax issues.  A particular focus of Don’s practice is devoted to helping families which have children or other family members with disabilities and special needs.. As a member of the American Academy of Special Needs Planners and other national organizations, Don is keenly aware of the legal issues which every special needs family must address in order to provide a secure future for their loved ones. Working as a team with social workers, benefit consultants, care managers and other advocates, Don can give the special needs family the peace of mind of knowing that they have put in place the legal foundation and support network needed to ensure that their vulnerable loved ones can lead a happy and productive life.. Don knows first-hand the challenges facing the special needs family. He and wife Maura are the proud parents of two sons. Cody and his younger brother Nicholas, who was diagnosed with autism in 1996, at the age of three. Nicholas is a happy young adult and continues to enjoy his many long time hobbies, with computer video games and drawing being at the top of his list. Nicholas currently enjoys working at the Great Lake Naval Base in a position with Goodwill Industries... Don received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1985, and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington in 1988. Don is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois (1991), state of WIsconsin (2021) and before the U.S. Tax Court (1993).. Memberships

Attorney Amy Handler Kasallis founded the Law Office of Amy Handler Kasallis in 2006 to serve families with unique needs.. Amy has been practicing law for nearly 30 years, the majority of which she has concentrated her practice in the areas of guardianship and special needs-focused estate planning. As a mother of a young adult son with Autism, she brings both extensive personal and professional experience to her practice.. Amy provides clients with legal assistance from a place of understanding and compassion. She knows that when parents have a child with a disability, decisions about planning for the future can be complicated and emotional. She helps her clients to understand options, navigate complexities, and find the right tools to help on their unique journeys.. Amy is frequently appointed by the court to act as Guardian ad Litem in adult disabled guardianship matters. She has served as the committee chair for the Trusts & Estates Committee for Lake County Bar Association. She is also a frequent presenter on the topics of adult disabled guardianship, guardianship alternatives, and special needs planning for both parents' groups and her fellow attorneys.

As an accomplished Matrimonial and Family Law practitioner, Ms. McAlister understands that her clients are real people facing emotionally challenging decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. She is an experienced litigator known for her tenacity in the courtroom, yet she is accessible and sensitive to her clients throughout case proceedings.. Ms. McAlister is skilled in handling divorces involving substantial assets and complex estates, including the identification and valuation of real estate, securities, business interests, retirement funds, pension plans, tax shelters, overseas accounts, stock options, trusts, and other sources of wealth.. Ms. McAlister has over 10 years of experience representing clients in all areas of family law, dispute resolution, and litigation. Areas of expertise include divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time/child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, equitable distribution, and separation and settlement agreements. We also handle complex financial issues, matters involving corporate valuations, non-marital tracing, asset protection, and grandparent visitation.

"It is my goal that each client be well informed and educated about all the retirement plans involved in a case before deciding whether and how to divide the retirement plans as part of an equitable resolution of the entire case.". Retirement plans are often one of the most valuable assets in a divorce. There are many different types of retirement plans, and the rules and regulations regarding division of the plans are complex.  I concentrates my practice exclusively on the evaluation and analysis of retirement plans in association with the litigation of complex family law matters.  My mastery on the subject allows me to educate clients about their retirement plans, explain the options available for dividing the plans, and maximize the assets. Not only do I have a J.D., I earned, with honors, an L.L.M in Employee Benefits from the John Marshall Law School.  I am uniquely qualified to prepare Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and other orders dividing retirement plans.  Ms. Voigt strongly believes that time spent analyzing retirement plans while the divorce is pending will save the client time and money.