Top Best Estate Lawyers | 14203 Available

Like most law firms, we offer full representation to clients upon payment of an up-front retainer. But unlike most law firms, we don't believe that clients unable to afford an initial retainer should be denied access to high-quality legal services. This is why we also offer unbundled "pay-as-you-go" legal services at an affordable flat-fee.. With unbundled legal services, a/k/a “limited scope representation,” an attorney and client agree that the attorney will handle some, but not all, aspects of a client’s legal matter. The client is responsible for handling all other aspects of his or her own case for which the attorney has not been retained. This allows the client to choose the level and scope of representation he or she desires, and provides predictable control over the cost of various legal services. Most significantly, with unbundled legal services, instead of charging an up-front retainer for full legal representation, clients can pay for individual services as they are needed at a reasonable flat-fee rate.. Whether you desire one of our many unbundled legal service options, or full representation, we have an option for you. Please contact our office to learn more about the full list of legal services we provide, and to discover our current flat-fee rates.

Kocinski Law Offices, LLC is an Illinois law firm serving clients predominantly in Cook, Du Page, Will, Lake and Kane counties. The firm provides legal services for individuals and businesses with emphasis on real estate, transactional law, as well as estate planning, bankruptcy, divorce, criminal and business transactions. We also represent injured individuals in tort cases.. At Kocinski Law Offices, we place quality and customer’s satisfaction in a first place. Kocinski Law Offices, LLC provides its clients with reliable services, effectively resolves legal issues and settles transactions in a professional and efficient manner. Our clients’ interests are paramount. They are the reason we exist as a firm, and within the bounds of professional ethics, we pursue their interests relentlessly. Our clients are entitled to professionalism from us. We ascribe to the highest professional ethics, and protect their confidences from improper disclosure. Their secrets are safe with us.  We recognize that we are in the service business. Our attorneys and support staff are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our clients, they are responsible and accessible. Our motto is “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Our attorneys speak Polish and English for our clients’ convenience.. Please call our office and for a free consultation.

Raised in a real estate law office, Theresa L. Panzica has decidated her whole life to real estate, her exerience spans over four decades.  From early beginnings at the family law office answering phones to her teen years transitioning to a summer employee, she excelled in every position while maintaining two other jobs at the customer service desk at a grocery store and as a local park district summer camp counselor.  Later, in her early 20’s, Theresa transitioned to a title company escrow closer and law clerk. Theresa has been in training for her current position from a very early age.   Sworn into the Illinois Bar May of 2006, Theresa L. Panzica was able to immediately practice due to her work experience and primarily focused on representation of Purchasers or Sellers in regular purchases, sales, condominium development, or conversion, as well as business entity formation and condominium association work—even a few short sales.  Due to the 2008 real estate crash, short sales has become a majority of the Firm’s work.  However, the Law Office of Theresa L. Panzica continues to offer representation to all Buyers and Sellers in purchases, sales, short sales, condominium conversions, condominium/townhouse new construction projects, as well as representation to condominium associations and clients who need assistance with business entity formation, maintenance, dissolution, land trusts, quit claim deeds, wills, trusts, and estates.. Mentioned in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Agent Magazine as 2016's Who's Who in Chicago Real Estate, a rising star in Top Agent Magazine in 2017, a Dynamic Woman in CS Magazine and a rising star by Super Lawyers in 2018, Panzica strives for perfection for the firm and her clients.  Panzica also proudly holds membership with the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Justinian Society of Lawyers, and the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association. She also regularly donates and volunteers at community events benefiting various communities and volunteers her time to speak at real estate related not-for-profits where the public learns about real estate or earns hours to earn free down payment assistance on their homes.

Before setting out on his legal career, Jesse A. Footlik began at the University of Michigan where he obtained his B.A. in sports management. Later, when he attended the Chicago-Kent College of Law, he served as the president of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Alongside his love for sports, Jesse was regularly named on the Dean's List and even received CALI awards for excellence in Estate Planning, Federal Transfer Tax and Legal Writing. As a Partner at Peck Ritchey, LLC, Jesse effectively assists clients with legal matters regarding estates, trusts, and probate.. Jesse was named an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 nominated by his peers as one of the best attorneys in Illinois, an honor which is bestowed on up to only 2.5% of the attorneys in Illinois annually.  He was also selected by Leading Lawyers Magazine as a top Emerging Lawyer in Elder Law and Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law for 2019. Jesse is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Probate Practice Rules and Forms Committee, and he also serves on the Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Council as a Vice President.

I left a successful career in the home-building industry to pursue a career in law.  My successes in my first career had moved me away from working directly with homebuyers into administrative and supervisory positions.  These promotions provided me with invaluable experience evaluating and negotiating contracts, but took me further away from what I really enjoy, working directly with people to help them achieve their dream of homeownership.

William L. Saranow is the Principal and Founder of Saranow Law Group, LLC.  William founded Saranow Law Group, LLC  with the vision of providing Illinois residents and businesses exceptional legal services at an affordable rate.. William brings a passionate approach to the law, and he cares about his clients to the core. William’s practice focuses on real estate law and sports/entertainment law.  William has multiple years experience representing property owners throughout Illinois with real estate tax assessment appeals. Additionally, William is a certified contract advisor with the National Football League Player’s Association.. Furthermore, William received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Pre-Law from Michigan State University.  While attending Michigan State, William worked in the Michigan House of Representatives where he assisted State Legislators form policies and interacted with countless constituents.. William currently resides in Chicago, and he is a member of the Illinois Bar.

My practice focuses on probate and trust administration, probate litigation, trust litigation, fiduciary litigation, and estate/asset protection planning. I advise individuals and families in contested matters with an emphasis on will, trust, and guardianship proceedings. I counsel executors and trustees during the probate/trust administration process and assist them in the preparation of estate and fiduciary tax returns. I also help individuals and families meet their estate and asset protection planning needs.

Our mission is to provide timely, affordable legal representation. At Bertacchi Law, we pride ourselves in client satisfaction and constant communication. This is not a 9:00-5:00 pm law firm. Instead, we make ourselves available nights and weekends. Your phone call/email is guaranteed to be returned on the same day it was received. In addition, there are no law clerks or secretaries to leave unanswered messages with, but rather direct communication with the attorney herself. Most law firms hand a case off to a paralegal or law clerk, but at Bertacchi Law your case is solely handled by an attorney from start to finish. Bertacchi Law is honored to represent you and to serve the community. We strive to become the most trusted law firm that exceeds expectations. We are located in the dunning neighborhood in Chicago.

My extensive experience in the areas of estate planning, estate litigation and taxation provide a unique background that enables me to anticipate client needs, minimize costs and thereby maximizing value.  Earned a C.P.A. in 1995, graduated from Loyola Law School in 1996 and worked in private practice including the Estate and Trust department of a large Chicago law firm prior to opeing my own practice in mid-2002.

James Slater’s practice focuses on all aspects of residential real estate, including purchases and sales of all types of properties, civil litigation, handling short sales and foreclosure defense as well as representing the rights of tenants. Mr. Slater’s experience includes being lead counsel on over 50 jury trials in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He is also a licensed real estate broker in the State of Illinois.

Mr. Berek is a Partner in the Trusts & Estates group at Horwood Marcus & Berk. He focuses his practice on Family Office Structuring and Administration, Wealth Transfer Planning, Income Tax Planning, and Trusts & Estates.. Prior to joining Handler Thayer, LLP, Mr. Berek was a Director at Credit Suisse, acting as a Family CFO in their family office group (formerly Frye Louis ) and ran their wealth planning group for the US Central Region advising clients of the private bank on family office and wealth transfer techniques. Prior experience includes practicing law in trusts and estates most recently with McGuireWoods LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP; tax and trust planning with Arthur Andersen LLP and Coopers & Lybrand LLP; and estate administration with The Northern Trust Company.. Mr. Berek is currently the editor of the two-volume treatise “Illinois Estate Planning, Will Drafting and Estate Administration Forms with Practical Commentary” published by LexisNexis. Mr. Berek is also an adjunct professor at DePaul University where he teaches Estate Planning, Estate, Gift and GST Tax, Income Taxation of Decedents, Estates and Trusts, and Tax Research in the Masters of Science in Taxation program; and at The John Marshall Law School where he teaches Advanced Income Tax, and Fiduciary Income Tax, in the LL.M Graduate Tax program.. Mr. Berek earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from DePaul University, a Juris Doctorate, cum laude (Law Review, Moot Court), and an LL.M. in Employee Benefits, with honors, from The John Marshall Law School.. He is a John S. Nolan Tax Law Fellow of the American Bar Association, Tax Section, a former chair of the Tax Practice Management Subcommittee, and a former Current Developments reporter of the Estate and Gift Tax Subcommittee.  He is past chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Section Council, and a past co-chair of the Chicago Bar Association Estate Planning Committee, Young Lawyers Section.. Mr. Berek is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Florida and is awarded an AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell for both legal abilities and ethical standards.  Mr. Berek is also a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois), and a Certified Financial Planner™.

With more than three decades of practice experience in federal and state litigation and transactional work, I have learned to focus with my client on our objective and desired outcome while being mindful of priorities and available resources. We have to keep an open mind for opportunities to achieve our goals.. Writing constantly in the condominium and community association field forces me to stay abreast of current developments in not just these areas of law, but in corporate governance, real estate, and construction as well.. Serving the community for more than two decades as a trustee, treasurer, and president of a regional sanitary district, while growing the district throughout the process, has taught me about forming collaboration among politically diverse people and interest groups.

Alex is a partner at the Chicago law firm Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis, LLC. His practice is focused on real estate transactions, commercial leasing, asset backed financing, joint ventures, and land development. He has been involved in notable mixed use, retail, hotel, multi-family residential, office and hospitality projects throughout Chicago and the metropolitan area.. Alex can assist in corporate formations and business transactions, contract negotiations, commercial lease negotiations, asset purchase agreements, business entity formations, and private placements for fundraising/equity matters. In addition, Alex’s personal background in banking and finance provides him with an ability to grasp complex transactions and quickly provide reliable and sound advice. With such a wide range of experience in finance, commercial real estate, and technology, Alex brings a depth of knowledge outside of the legal industry to each and every client he consults. Outside of being an attorney, Alex is also an integral part of his community.  He is a key member of the Chicago-Kent School of Law’s incubator program, where his role includes advising start-up law firms on how to identify markets, develop a company brand, and seize business opportunities.  Additionally, he is an adjunct professor of Real Estate at Kendall College’s School of Hospitality Management, and is regularly invited to speak at a variety of seminars in the Chicago area, including continuing legal education courses for other attorneys. What makes Alex an asset to any business is the hands-on approach he takes with each of his clients. Rather than trying to maximize fees, he centers his practice on fostering company growth through creating unique opportunities for brand expansion. Alex provides his clients with a much broader role than simply serving as a legal advisor; he is a partner in their success. As such, he has been elected into the Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars Selection for 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The attorneys at Jill M. Metz & Associates pride themselves on providing effective legal services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and couples in Chicago and throughout Cook County, Illinois. We practice law in the areas of estate planning, adoption, domestic relations or family law, probate and estate administration, small business law, and real estate.