Top Best Family Lawyers | 17359 Available

Jessica is a graduate of Southern University Law School of Louisiana, having received the Cicardo Award for highest GPA in Fall of 2012. Jessica also holds two Bachelors degrees from LSU in Political Science and History.. Jessica is a member of the State Bar Association.. Jessica currently serves as President of the St. Alphonsus School Home and School association. She is a 2018 recipient of the Mother Seton Award. The award is given by the Diocesan Home and School association to individuals for exemplary volunteer service and dedication to home, school, and church.

Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. For 31 years Shelley has helped people who find themselves transitioning from being married to being unmarried. Having walked that path herself, she found herself called to help guide people through the nerve-racking, daunting and emotionally charged process of divorce. Her mission is to help people who feel overwhelmed, confused and feeling out of control find their way to confidence with a plan and feeling back in control of their life so they can move forward.. Getting an amicable resolution is generally financially and emotionally better for the parties. Unfortunately, there are times when only the courtroom can end the matter when the other party is acting unreasonably. That’s why she has spent her career in the courtroom, standing alongside those are forced to go to trial because the other party has unreasonable or unfair demands that are not favorable to Shelley’s clients.. Shelley is a divorce and custody trial attorney, with hundreds of contested trials under her belt. She has won custody rights for dads, fought untrue claims of abuse- including unfounded accusations of sexual abuse of children, litigated valuation of businesses, settled and litigated complex property divisions including cases involved aircraft, boats, large collections, antiques, farms and closely held family businesses. She has dealt with alimony concerning elderly or disabled spouses, and division of large retirement accounts. As a business owner herself for the last 25 years who fought to preserve that business during a divorce, Shelley is equipped to handle divorce and property divisions that include family businesses and complex financial assets.. Learn more at our website:. Goff and Goff Attorneys:  Helping People - A Family Tradition Since 1931

With a background as a social worker, Attorney Amanda E. Hogenmiller is a compassionate family law attorney who knows how to handle a wide range of cases. From adoption and child custody cases to divorce and guardianship issues, Attorney Hogenmiller is equipped to take on even the most complex legal matters. She is passionate about providing affordable and reliable legal services backed by a personalized approach. By giving her clients legal representation tailored to their needs, she is better able to secure positive outcomes on their behalves. Reach out to her firm to find out more!. To learn more about Attorney Hogenmiller, visit her page at:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. Educated at: the United States Military Academy–West Point;. The philosophy of: Duty, Honor, Country -  is firmly ingrained into every cadet. St. Louis city police officer:. no better place to experience and understand the perils that people face.. Prosecuting Attorney:. First trial assistant - the decision of whether someone should be prosecuted and to what extent should be the main focus of a prosecuting attorney. - not whether he can win the case - its not a game.. Fairness must be learned and practiced.. Private practice:. 30 years of Practicing and applying the trade. A little known fact:. -most attorneys …and most judges -have never tried a jury trial.. Mr. Dawdy has tried many jury trials —from murder to business litigation.. Commissioner of the Missouri Ethics Commission - appointed by the Governor:. The job of examining and judging the ethics and honor of those in power.. LIFE EXPERIENCES - the most important kind of experiences. Award winning artist:  6 portraits and a mural painting currently hang in the Jefferson County Courthouse. Many paintings are in private collections.. Former member of Artist Section of the Artist Guild.  Juried art show winner.. — Everyone must have a passion.. Collegian boxer:  hard headed - perhaps a screw loose. Marathon runner: endurance and determination —also learn to walk backwards upstairs.. Trained Schutzhund dogs -German protection dog sport. He and the dogs speak German. St. Louis House of Rock: Owner of St. Louis’s premier rock and roll nightclub for over                  16 years. —Everyone must have fun.. —Finally - Two children:  Daughter- doctor of psychology; Son- theoretical physicist. — reasons to be humble.

Mr. O’Shea received a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in History from DePaul University. He received his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law where he finished in the top 27% of his class. During law school, Mr. O'Shea participated in Trial Advocacy, served as Vice-President of the Federalist Society and worked as an extern in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Mr. O'Shea was also the recipient of two Academic Excellence Awards (highest grade obtained in the class) in the field of Constitutional Law and American Legal History. Mr. O’Shea has worked at Stange Law Firm, LLC since 2008. Since joining the firm, Mr. O'Shea has written several appellate court briefs and has successfully argued before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Mr. O’Shea primarily handles matters involving divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, appeals, grandparent visitation and other domestic litigation. Mr. O’Shea is based out of the St. Louis (Brentwood) office.

Regina is Of Counsel with Summers Compton Wells, LLC, which provides full-service legal counsel to small and mid-sized businesses, their owners and families throughout the St. Louis region. Regina focuses her practice on domestic relations (family) law, including divorce, pre and postnuptial agreements, child custody and support, paternity, modifications, guardianship, adoption, and mediation.. Regina understands that every client requires a tailored approach to identify and address their needs and to protect what they value most. She provides deliberate counsel and strategic solutions in domestic matters to meet her clients’ legal, financial, and personal goals, drawing on more than twenty years of legal experience as a litigator, trial and appellate attorney, and mediator. She understands the importance of safeguarding the parent-child relationship and preserving financial security and has a passion for partnering with clients to protect those interests by employing advice, education, and advocacy.. Regina attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English. She went on to complete her Juris Doctorate at the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law. Regina previously represented business entities and individuals in complex litigation and appellate matters. She has presented seminars for The Missouri Bar and National Business Institute and has served as commentator and MoBar CLE Deskbook reviewer.

Sam Diamond has been serving families in the McHenry area for many years. After graduating from the University of Denver, Sam obtained his Juris Doctor from the Chicago Kent College of Law and, shortly after his admission to the Illinois State Bar, he came to McHenry County as an Assistant State’s Attorney. Sam later founded the law firm of Diamond Divorce Law after working for Looze & Kinney, one of the oldest partnerships in the county.. Since the firm’s founding, Sam has worked tirelessly for clients all across McHenry and Lake Counties, coming to each case with a personalized approach. Through his years of experience in McHenry County he has become acquainted with a vast majority of lawyers and judges in the area, giving him unique insight into how to negotiate and create winning strategies for his clients.. Sam and his legal team work together to provide the best, most efficient and most economical path to achieve the goals of their clients, using an approach that he considers to be the best of both worlds, combining his extensive experience and knowledge with the fresh, energetic insights of the firm’s younger attorneys.. Many who know him (colleagues and clients alike) see Sam as a modern-day Columbo.. Anyone watching TV in the 70s and 80s undoubtedly remembers the popular crime drama featuring the friendly and deceptively clever detective who hid his true thoughts and intentions until the end of the case; and who, like a dog with a bone, never gave up until he successfully manipulated the results to his satisfaction. In his years of experience practicing family law in McHenry County, Sam has developed a deep understanding of how to use the legal process to his client’s best advantage. While he might not use Columbo’s famous catchphrase “oh, uh…just one more thing” when working on a matter, his astute and tenacious way of practicing law are reminiscent of the infamous lieutenant.. With expertise in different areas of law, Sam nevertheless considers family law (particularly divorce) to be the most rewarding and challenging. Having been through a divorce himself, he understands how devastating, difficult and costly a divorce can be and why it is crucial to have experienced legal representation to help navigate the divorce process and avoid pitfalls that just end up costing more money, creating aggravation, and delaying the process.. Sam identifies with the struggles and concerns of each and every one of his clients. Because he knows that the divorce process can be emotionally and financially draining, Sam and his team dedicate themselves and their practice to making legal options simple, understandable and digestible for every client, providing clear-cut legal advice and one-on-one support each step of the way.. Sam and his team consistently go above and beyond to provide personalized counsel designed to help families take that next step forward.

My goal is to protect my clients' rights and offer them honest and professional advice based upon my over 20 years of experience to help guide them through the difficult and emotional process of divorce. I invite you to visit my web site at to learn more about me and my law firm or call me directly at 630-4850-8012 to discuss your case.

Attorney Colleen Thomas is a dedicated legal advocate for clients throughout McHenry County and Kane County in Illinois. She received her law degree from Northern Illinois University, where she was the Assistant Managing Editor of the Law Review, as well as the recipient of numerous accolades for her work in the International Moot Court Competition.. During law school, Ms. Thomas also gained invaluable experience as a law clerk in the Kane County Judges Office and at a prestigious firm in the city of Chicago. After passing the Bar in 1994, Ms. Thomas worked in civil litigation and appeals before opening the doors of Thomas Law Office in 1996. Her well-rounded experience in various areas of civil law, family law and bankruptcy law give her a unique skill set that is perfectly suited for family law cases, which often involve both domestic and financial matters.. As an active member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), the Dundee Township Rotary Club and District Chair for the Rotary Interact Club, Colleen Thomas takes pride in the community. She is committed to mentoring youth, and she is a member of several programs at Dundee-Crown High School, including the Internship program, Mock Trial team, Job Fair and Cooperative Education Program.. She has also participated in mock jury trial programs for the Boy Scouts of Kane County and has even worked in community theatre in Elgin as an actor, stage manager and assistant director. In addition to community service, Ms. Thomas is also an energetic political activist, contributing countless hours to numerous judicial campaigns for more than 16 years at the city, county and state levels.

Marie J. Casteel has been practicing family law for over a decade, providng families with representation that they can trust.. Marie has worked professionally with children and families for over 15 years. Her practice has primarily focused on family law work that includes dissolution of marriage, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (child custody), child support, maintenance, orders of protection, and adoptions. She works closely with families to represent their interests and achieve equitable results – financially, and in the best interests her clients and their children.

I attended undergraduate school from 1988 – 1992 and graduated from Illinois College in May 1992 magna cum laude. I attended Southern Illinois University School of Law 1992 – 1995 and graduated December 1995 with a Juris Doctorate degree. While attending law school, I had an externship at the Jackson County Public Defender’s Office and also worked at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic at the law school.. I was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in May of 1996. Therefore, I have been in practice for over twenty years in Champaign and Springfield areas.. I began in private practice with a law firm in Springfield, Illinois which handled family law, bankruptcy and other miscellaneous legal issues. I practiced at the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office and Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Offices Child Support Enforcement Divisions for 15 years collectively. Therefore, I have a strong handle on all child support issues. I again worked in private practice with a law firm in Champaign, Illinois handling mostly family law and some probate work.

Attorney Julie Ajster is a lifelong resident of the Illinois Valley.. Since being admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002, Julie has concentrated her practice to the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation.  She has extensive litigation and trial experience having represented over 1,000 clients in 26 Counties throughout north central Illinois, as well as, the Northern, Central and Eastern districts of Illinois of the US District Courts.. During her career, Julie has recovered in excess of $16 million dollars for clients, including numerous settlements of $1 million dollars.. She has been recognized by the Super Lawyer organization in 2012, 2013 and 2014 as a Super Lawyer Rising Star, as well as, by Chicago Magazine as a Rising Star of Illinois.  She has also been honored locally as a 40 under Forty of the Illinois Valley Area.. She is a member of the LaSalle County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Phi Delta Phi Law Fraternity, Super Lawyers and Zonta Club of LaSalle-Peru.. Attorney Julie Ajster concentrates her law practice to the area of worker’s compensation personal injury which includes: automobile accidents, trucking accidents, construction accidents, nursing home abuse and/or negligence, premises liability accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and all areas involving injury.. No fee unless you win.