Top Best Family Lawyers | 17895 Available

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.

With over more than 10 years of experience in civil litigation, Melisa is a well rounded attorney with a strong legal background and excellent communication and negotiation skills. She is passionately committed to the defense of individual rights and dedicates part of her time to voluntary/pro bono work for minorities. As In House Counsel for Subway Restaurants, she oversaw the company's legal department and closely worked with upper management. Melisa has also worked as a solo practitioner specializing in litigation in different matters, including family law, labor and employment, immigration and general civil litigation and consulting, before administrative agencies such as the EEOC and before state and federal courts. She offers seminars and training to non profit organizations, small and large companies and goverment agencies regarding labor and employment policies. Melisa also provides counseling to startups for talent acquisition, immigration status and tax incentive strategies. Melisa is currently working as an attorney in a private law firm in Chicago, Illinois and her practice areas include: family law, insurance defense, personal injury and civil litigation.

A life long educator and small business owner who values communication and being treated with respect.  Clients deserve a commitment to personalized service by a driven attorney who shows compassion, accountability and timeliness in their representation.  That is what I strive for in my practice.  I take a client focused approach, so you understand the components of your case and can make informed decisions for you, your family and your future.

Recognized by clients throughout DuPage County and nationally for our commitment to resolving legal issues efficiently and at a reasonable price.  Call today.

Kate has been an attorney for over 25 years, with 20+ years of experience in Family Law. She earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from Chicago Kent College of law, and has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology. Kate is also working toward an LLM degree, a Masters of Law in Family Law at Chicago Kent College of Law, and is certified as a Family Mediator and as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing the needs of Children in Divorce and family conflict.. Kate started out as a Public Defender in Cook County in Felonies, and moved on to family law, helping adults and Children in Domestic Abuse situations. Kate and her husband opened an Aerospace Corporation and moved to California in the late 1980’s. She continued with her work in Domestic Abuse while living out of State. Kate still serves as the legal counsel for their family business.. Kate and her family moved back to Illinois in the 1990’s, and she opened a small private legal practice specializing in family law, and taught special needs children and young adults for several years while her own children were young. Kate also volunteered as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children, and became active in her community. During this time, Kate gained additional experience representing the rights of Children, and in representation of Children with Special Needs.. Kate joined Prairie State Legal Services in 2007 and worked as a Legal aid attorney providing advice and brief services to low income clients on a variety of legal issues. She left Legal Aid in 2012 to reopen her private family law practice, Kate Sharp Law PC, and to return to teaching. Kate is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Paralegal Studies Program at College of Dupage. Kate also joined forces with the Law Offices of David G. Stevens in December 2012, and currently handles most of that law firm’s family Law cases, in addition to her own firm’s cases.. Kate believes that Legal Representation should not only be skilled and professional, but that Family Law attorneys should be compassionate, caring and collaborative, and she brings these qualities to her representation of every Client.

I pursued my law degree so that I can really make a difference in the community and help those in need. I volunteer on a regular basis at the Pro Se Help Desk in DuPage County and am also past president  of the Woodridge Woman's Juniors Club and have been been a member since 2010.