Top Best Family Lawyers | 17744 Available

When facing a difficult divorce or family law matter, you may feel lost or betrayed by those you love. Having an attorney that can understand what you are going through, and be there for you when you need them the most, can make all of the difference. Chuk Okereke is an empathetic Junior Associate Attorney at Stange Law Firm, PC. He is able to represent clients in McLean County and the surrounding areas from the firm’s Bloomington, Illinois family law office. Chuk attended law school and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. While in law school, Chuk ranked in the Top 5% of his class and also was the recipient of the Thomas F. Blackwell Scholarship. He also served as the Associate Editor for the Appalachian Law Journal in 2020. Before studying law, Chuk earned his Masters in Public Administration with a focus on Non-profit/Public/Organizational Management from North Carolina Central University. There, Chuk graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Moss-Wigfall Graduate Award Scholarship. He was also a member and Treasurer of the Phi Alpha Alpha Honors Society. Chuk also has a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Child Studies with a Certification in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University. Before becoming a Junior Associate with the McLean County divorce lawyers at Stange Law Firm, Chuk spent two months as a Law Clerk for the firm. Chuk also has a background as an advocate for youth in areas such as early childhood education, criminal justice, behavioral health, substance abuse, and family dynamics, having worked as a social worker for organizations focused on providing community outreach and housing assistance for youth. He has also garnered experience in leveraging legal services to low-income individuals with health challenges. Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Ashley Scarborough joined Thomson and Weintraub following her graduation from the University of Illinois College of Law. Ms. Scarborough graduated magna cum laude and in the top third of her graduating class. During her final year of law school Ms. Scarborough represented domestic violence victims in divorce, orders of protection, and custody matters through the College of Law clinical program. Ms. Scarborough also represented the College of Law as a member of the Moot Court competition team and served as an editor for the school's internal competition. Ms. Scarborough was praised by professors and local attorneys for her professionalism and oral advocacy skills and was nominated for the Paul Lisnek award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.. Her decision to become a lawyer was rooted in a passion for the law and her desire to help people during potentially difficult times in their lives. She is passionate about keeping her clients educated throughout the legal process so that she can help her clients make the best decisions regarding their legal representation.

I was born and raised in Bloomington and graduated from Illinois State University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. In 2007 I received a Master’s of Arts degree in Spanish from Illinois State University. In 2012 I graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law. My career began as an attorney in McLean County litigating creditor’s rights and criminal defense matters. I have also practiced as an assistant Public Defender in Macon County handling criminal defense cases as well as juvenile abuse and neglect cases.. In my free time I enjoy fishing, playing guitar and spending time with my wife.

“My years of experience guarantee that I understand the law and the court system, and I know that every client must be treated with dignity and with respect.”. With thirty years of family law experience, co-principal P. André Katz represents high-profile, high net worth clients, often in the worlds of business, sports and entertainment. Mr. Katz is a successful litigator and recognized expert in international child custody and jurisdictional disputes, handling overseas cases in Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.. Mr. Katz was recently named a “Best Lawyer” by U.S. News & World Report and also designated a “top family law practitioner” in Illinois by the Leading Lawyers Network and Super Lawyers Network.. A highly sought-after speaker and well-published writer on a wide range of family law topics, he has lectured throughout the United States, including talks before the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the Illinois State Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association and the National Business Institute. His research and opinions have also been published in articles featured in the Illinois Family Law Handbook, The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Journal and numerous other publications.. As chairman of the Illinois Family Law Study Committee, enacted by House Resolution 1101, Mr. Katz has led the public review and proposed revision of Illinois’ divorce and child custody laws and is responsible for submitting the Committee’s final report to the governor and the House of Representatives. He also played a key role in laying the early foundation of the expedited child support program in the Circuit Court of Cook County.. Throughout his career, Mr. Katz has been an active member of The Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and American Bar Association. He also served as co-chairman of the CBA’s Young Lawyers Division of the Family Law Committee.. Prior to his role as co-principal of Katz & Stefani, Mr. Katz was a former partner in the litigation department of McDermott Will & Emery, one of the world’s largest law firms, and an equity partner at Berger Schatz.

I have been a resident of McLean County since 1977. I graduated from Illinois State University in 1990 and completed my law degree in 1994 as a graduate of The John Marshall Law School. Proud of my Central Illinois roots, I returned to Bloomington Normal to begin my legal career as an Assistant State's Attorney with the McLean County State's Attorney's Office. In 1995, I joined Thomson & Weintraub, LLC, and became a partner with the firm in 2000.. Thomson & Weintraub, LLC has been providing a wide variety of  legal services for clients thoughout Illinois since 1941. I am honored to work with my exeptionnal business partners, all of whom are esteemed members of our bar association.. I have concentrated my practice to the areas of family law, divorce, adoption and criminal defense. I have been a member of the Leading Lawyers Network since 2009. Through the Leading Lawyers Network, I have been named a Top Ten downstate woman lawyer as well as a Top Ten downstate female criminal defense attorney.. As an advocate for alternative dispute resolution and through Northwestern University, I became a trained and court approved family law mediator in 2005. Although I certainly enjoy litigation, I have learned throughout my years of practice that helping families resolve disputes with the least amount of court involvement, stress and cost is the only truly successful way to resolve those disputes.. With over 20 years of trial and practice experience, I offer my clients organized, honest, eithical and zealous representation. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule a consultation.