Your Small Business and Community Business Ally

Apr 17, 2024 | Featured Attorney

Featured attorney photo of Bryan Wellner

Your Small Business and Community Business Ally

A trusted name within the greater Joliet area, Bryan Wellner’s practice has been spanning across multiple areas since November 2015 when he began practicing law and working at Mahoney, Silverman, & Cross, LLC.

Wellner concentrates in corporate and small business, local government, criminal and traffic law practice, and employment.

“Bryan is an all-around excellent attorney. He puts in the necessary work behind the scenes, so he is always prepared,” said Jordan Kielian, of The Wharrie Law Firm, P.C. “He also has a steady demeanor and handles himself and others well in difficult situations. When I recommend clients to Bryan, I know they are in great hands and I am confident they will be beyond satisfied with his representation. And that has been the case since he started practicing.”

Wellner’s family, who owns Wellner Construction Corp, was a motivating factor for him to attend law school, inspired by the dream of one day representing them when he got older.

Wellner’s passion for representing small and community businesses was jump-started by watching his own family run their business and be entrepreneurial. This has inspired him to be that for himself as an attorney and expand his business as much as he can, similar to how they did.

Wellner has many dreams and goals for the future of his career, including owning his own law firm one day.

“I want to be able to represent as many small businesses and help as many community businesses as I can,” said Wellner. “Then get to a point where I can help support other young attorneys and mentor them into having successful careers.”

Noting the mentorship Wellner has received at Mahoney, Silverman, & Cross, LLC from George Mahoney and David Silverman, he said they have been incredibly influential to his career, especially getting into the local government practice area which is their niche.

“They have helped expose me to those opportunities, and they’ve really encouraged me to dive deep into it, and now that I’m in it, to expand my practice, and have given me a ton of guidance and help in expanding it,” Wellner said.

Wellner recounts a fond memory for him where he was appointed his first municipal client, the City of Braidwood, a couple of years into his career. Never expecting to end up in local government law, this was a proud and exciting moment for him, representing an entire municipality.

Wellner is also involved in multiple organizations including the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Will County Bar Associations. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Joliet Area Young Professionals, a division of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors for the Old Timers Baseball Association of Will County, and the Scholarship Committee for the American Italian Cultural Society in Crest Hill, Ill.

Originally from Minooka, Ill., Wellner always had the plan to work in the great Joliet area, “I absolutely love having the work I do overlap with the areas that I grew up in and where friends and family live,” Wellner said.

To learn more about Bryan Wellner and Mahoney, Silverman, & Cross, LLC., visit msclawfirm.com.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

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A Sense of Personal Satisfaction

Jan 2, 2024 | Featured Attorney

Featured Attorney Heather Darsie

A Sense of Personal Satisfaction

By Rachel Barks

Heather Darsie, an attorney by day and author by night, follows her passion of law and writing day in and day out. She recently moved back into prosecution in Dekalb County and is Committee Co-Chair for the Will County Bar Association. As an author, she has published two nonfiction books and one novella, and along with regular updates to her blog Maidens and Manuscripts.

Daisie’s nonfiction books are centered around the history of Anna of Cleves, Queen of England in 1540. She is widely credited with bringing forth the “hidden” portrait of Anna of Cleves that is on the cover of Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister, correcting her date of birth, and explaining her life.

Recognized as one of the world’s experts Anna of Cleves, Darsie discovered her passion for history through her father and began diving deeper into the subject in 2010, leading her to where she is today.

“Another way to think about it, because I have to use my legal skills when writing the first book, was that I was Anna of Cleves’ attorney. I just showed up about 450 years late,” Darsie said.

Darsie explains that the research, writing, and critical thinking skills she uses in law aid her in her writing and research and vice versa. After days of long prosecution cases, she found solace in writing and the joy and satisfaction that came with the research.

“We have to be very careful, very precise, and very dedicated to the practice of law,” Darsie said. “Be careful to make sure that you have other things to which you can look for your personal sense of satisfaction, because it can be tricky to find that with just your job.”

Being an attorney and an author is a full plate, but Darsie makes it work by keeping a balanced schedule and continuously making it a priority to take care of herself physically and mentally at the same time.

“People like my writing, they like what I’m writing about. Because of that outlet, I can have that separation and recognize that having a bad day at work doesn’t mean that Heather is bad, it just means that the job is hard,” Darsie added.

Darsie’s second nonfiction book Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings was released in the US on September 12th. Seen as a companion book to her first book, this is the first book ever to look into Anna of Cleves siblings and their interactions with the Holy Roman Empire, England, and France. She also has a third book set to come out in late 2024 titled Stuart Spouses: A Compendium of Consorts from James I of Scotland to Queen Anne of Great Britain.

Darsie’s favorite quote from literary figure Henry David Thoreau stands out to her in her life’s passion and work of writing and law:

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

To find out more about her writing, read her blog pieces, and stay up to date with future releases, visit Maidens and Manuscripts.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

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Featured Attorney Mazyar M. Hedayat

Oct 17, 2023 | Featured Attorney

Featured Attorney Mazyar M. Hedayat

Featured Attorney Mazyar M. Hedayat

Getting Started
Mazyar M. Hedayat (“Maz”) earned his MBA in finance and corporate strategy from the University of Michigan before attending DePaul College of Law in 1995; his undergraduate studies were split between the Universities of Michigan and Chicago. Hedayat founded M. Hedayat & Associates after working for a Chicago-based firm.

M. Hedayat & Associates, P.C. represents clients from all over the country in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial litigation, real estate, estates, probate, foreclosures, workouts, purchases, sales, leases, construction, development, and litigation. Hedayat is also a title insurance agent, a business broker, and a holder of the Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.

Internet Startup and Writing
In 1997, Hedayat was invited to the ABA’s Technology Task Force Symposium, and in 1999, he launched a lawyer-focused Internet startup, which debuted at the ABA Tech Show. His involvement in the legal IT world has resulted in long-lasting friendships with the founders of household names like FindLaw, Clio, Legal Match, JD Supra, ProLaw, and others.

Hedayat has written and spoken for the Chicago, DuPage, and Will County Bar Associations, as well as the ABA Tech Show, industry events, and educational publishers National Business Institute and Lorman. His work has included AI, Block-Chain for Lawyers, Mechanics Liens, Bonding, Tax Deeds, Title, Zoning, Dodd-Frank, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He has published dozens of articles and maintained multiple blogs over the years, including a long-running column in Techno Lawyer (now known as Top Law).

Groups and Associations Hedayat spoke at the DuPage County Bar Association’s Mega Seminar, Real Estate Seminar, and was a member of the Court Advisory Committee on E-Filing. He was the Editor in Chief of the County Bar Brief at DCBA and led the Bankruptcy, Business, and Practice Management committees.

Hedayat has served on the Will County Bar Association’s Probate, Real Estate, and Civil Law committees. He also serves as the chair of the Law Practice Management Committee, where he has organized and hosted every annual conference since 2019, in addition to overseeing the LPM’s Internet presence.

Hedayat has also served on the ISBA’s Construction, Small Firm, Legal Technology, Real Estate, and Probate committees. In 2023 he published “Blockchain and AI –Revolutionizing Illinois Real Estate Practice” in the ISBA Real Estate Section newsletter.

Politics
Hedayat was named to the Northern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee in 2019, which he co-chaired until the conclusion of his tenure in 2022. He and his co-chair effectively reformed the committee, shortened monthly meetings, published bi-annual committee newsletters, and pioneered and managed the committee’s blog and LinkedIn profile while there.

Hedayat was chosen as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman in 2018 and campaigned for Will County Board. Maz was able to contribute to the smooth running of elections and polling in the 25th District as a Committeeman.

Awards and Recognitions Hedayat has received numerous distinctions, including Legal Match Lawyer of the Year, Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year, the Board of Directors Award from the DuPage County Bar Association, and numerous client-service awards.

“He is knowledgeable, patient, and very down-to-earth. He leads through example and what motivates us through him is doing all of this for the clients. He gives of himself, he gives freely, and is a phenomenal mentor,” said Trudi Ogden, Senior Paralegal at M. Hedayat & Associates, P.C.

Hedayat also believes in mentorship and community involvement: “The most essential thing any of us can do is to give back,” He said.

Outside of work, he is an enthusiastic biker who enjoys both road and off-road mountain biking. His family is his other passion; he and his wife Della have one son.

More information on Hedayat can be found at @mhalaw and mha-law.com. He is always willing to speak with members of the legal profession. He can be reached at mhedayat@mha-law.com.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

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Empowering Tomorrow’s Legal Leaders: Announcing the 2023 Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Recipient

Aug 3, 2023 | scholarship

2023 Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Recipient - Alexandria Wilson

Empowering Tomorrow’s Legal Leaders: Announcing the 2023 Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Recipient

By Rachel Barks

The third annual Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship has found a 2023 recipient – Alexandria Wilson, from Crete, IL, a Will County resident since 2008.

Wilson will be a first-year law student who recently graduated as a double major in Paralegal Studies and Peace and Justice Studies, with a minor in Political Science from Lewis University, in Romeoville, IL. Currently, she works for a real estate attorney.

2023 Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Recipient - Alexandria Wilson

Wilson has known for a while that she wanted to apply for the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship because last year’s winner, Ayanna Squires, is an old classmate and friend, and they both were AmeriCorps Illinois JusticeCorps Fellows.

“We talked frequently because we took classes together in undergrad, and she told me about the scholarship opportunity; that is when I went ahead and applied for it!” Wilson said.

Working in law and becoming an attorney has been a life-long dream for Wilson, one she has had since second grade. She has had her eye on the prize for many years, the prize of helping the community and those who need it.

“It fostered out of the passion I have seen around the community, and the need,” She said. “I am very inspired and adamant about helping the community that has given to me countless times.”

The Legal Opportunity Scholarship promotes a strong message of celebrating diversity within the legal community. Wilson explains how much this means to her as a black woman entering the field.

“There are only five percent of U.S. attorneys who are African American, and only two percent of those are women,” Wilson said. “People come from all walks of life; I may not understand what a specific client is going through, but if I talk to a colleague, they might be able to help navigate the waters of the differences we have. If we don’t have diversity, we don’t have that support.”

Wilson hopes to become a judge, with an ultimate dream of sitting on the Supreme Court. This scholarship helps her take steps toward those goals and dreams. Recipients of the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship, an incoming first-year Black or Latino Law Student, can earn up to $37,000 to assist in paying for their legal education by practicing law in Will County after graduation, which will allow them to further insert themselves into the community.

This year’s Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship has a number of sponsors, which are as follows:

Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb
Giamanco Law Partners
Honiotes Law Office, LTD
The Law Office of Eric J. Blatti
Law Office of Craig L. Boston
The Tomczak Law Group
The Law Firm of Rick Munoz

Timothy Reeb from Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb was part of the Interview Committee that selected Wilson as the winner.

“Alexandria showed a real, genuine desire to continue law school and come back to the Will County community, her home area, to truly give back and serve those who need it,” Reeb said.

“She deeply cares about the Will County community, and that really came across,” He added. “Law school is a big, big investment,” Wilson said. “This scholarship will help me be able to do the job I love. I am so grateful to Will County for investing in me.”

For more information about the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship and to see past recipients, please visit https://willcountybar.net/scholarship

Jeff Tomczak – Your Case Matters

May 24, 2023 | Featured Attorney

Photo of Featured Attorney Jeff Tomczak

Jeff Tomczak – Your Case Matters

by Rachel Barks

Since 1986 Jeff Tomczak has been a reliable and trusted name in the Will County, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee and LaSalle County areas.

Tomczak has served hundreds of cases across these areas. Originally from Chicago, he admits he never thought he would end up in the Joliet area. However, his impact on the Joliet legal community has been vast in the decades he has been in the field.

This stems from a true love of what he does and his commitment to each person and case, “It’s the personal interactions between the clients and you. It’s like magic. Somebody’s presenting you with a problem they’re very concerned about and you use your skills, training, and your experience to try to help them,” Tomczak said.

Some memorable experiences and memories he holds include being appointed by the Supreme Court on the Capitol Litigation Committee Certification Committee, as well as arguing a couple of different appeals in front of the Illinois Supreme Court.

“He works unlike any attorney I’ve seen: very creative in his defense, has very difficult cases, and looks at everything with such a close eye and a lot of research,” said Patty Kalkanis, Attorney at Law, The Tomczak Law Group. “He has such a unique approach to criminal law.”

“You’ve Got To Teach The Next Guy”

In his time as an attorney, Tomczak has had many mentors who have made an impact that he carries with him. Some of these mentors include Robert Kiesler, Edward Petka, and Judge Edward Burmila, dear friends who have taught him a lot, he noted.

Tomczak’s deep appreciation of his own mentors has lit a passion for apprenticeship, something he strongly believes should drive the world of law.

“When you hire somebody, as a lawyer, it’s not an employment contract. It’s an apprenticeship,” Tomczak said. “You have to teach the next lawyer, what you know, and how you practice law. And that’s something that I’ve always felt for the 30-some years I’ve been practicing; you’ve got to teach the next guy, what’s going on, and how to do it.”

Tips for Younger Lawyers

Tomczak mentioned some words of wisdom for younger lawyers to stay in tune with, that he finds great importance in.

“The formality of court appearances, I think is something we need to concentrate on a little bit more. if the judge is standing, you should be standing if you’re a lawyer,” Tomczak said. “If you’re going to say something to the court, even if it’s maybe not part of the session, you should stand when you’re speaking to the court. I hope that as time goes on that we don’t lose that formality because that is what makes us different.”

Branching off of apprenticeship, Tomczak expressed that he never turns down another lawyer’s question, no matter where he is.

Lastly, “You’d be surprised how many times a client can help you with something,” Tomczak said. “Don’t always assume the lawyers are the smartest guys in the room, that’s for sure.”

To learn more about Jeff Tomczak and The Tomczak Law Group, please visit www.wewinforyou.com.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

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Ted P. Hammel – 25 Years of Trusted Criminal Defense

Feb 16, 2023 | Featured Attorney

Featured Attorney Ted P. Hammel

Ted P. Hammel – 25 Years of Trusted Criminal Defense

Ted Hammel is a seasoned criminal law attorney in the Joliet-area and founder of Hammel Law Offices P.C. with 25 years of criminal defense experience.

Hammel Law Offices P.C.’s website states that Hammel is an “active member of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) 1) Criminal Justice Section Council, 2) Traffic Laws & Courts Section Council, and 3) Standing Committee On Judicial Evaluations – Outside Cook County.

Recently, he was elected to the Assembly of the ISBA. The Assembly is the supreme policy making body of the ISBA. Additionally, in Will County, he is Chairman of the Will County Bar Association Criminal Law Committee. He is a regular presenter at the Will County & ISBA’s seminars regarding Criminal, DUI and traffic offenses.

At the very beginning, Hammel didn’t plan for going to law school. He was originally in college for being a public accountant. “My roommates in college at Marquette were trying to come up with a lease because our flat was being remodeled. And the guy gave us a contract, but there wasn’t much to it, so I brought an addendum to the contract and then I knew I was going to law school,” Hammel said.

After graduating from Marquette University, he was employed at the Continental National Bank of Chicago. During law school, he clerked for the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Office VII Corp, Munich, Germany. Hammel then worked two years as an assistant public defender before establishing Hammel Law Offices P.C.

When asked about some of the highlights of his career, Hammel said, “I do a lot of DUI trials. Some of my favorite moments are winning appeals and winning trials.”

“Going to trial fuels my passion for criminal law,” Hammel said. “There’s a good group of state’s attorneys in the courthouse here in Will County and a good group of defense attorneys, and they all like going to trial and doing hearings; that’s what makes it fun.”

Hammel also has a passion for writing criminal justice articles and has written an article called, “Go Six” published for the Illinois State Bar Association. He is currently working on future articles. “I am also now back on the Traffic Law Committee, just as a member. We review case law, statutes, and any other tricks of the trade,” Hammel added.

Hammel notes multiple colleagues and mentors who have shaped his career, including Samuel Andreano, Alexander Bonds, Frank Andreano, Terry Wallace, and Daniel Kennedy.

“I don’t know anyone who takes more pride in their work than Ted,” said Frank Andreano of Andreano Law P.C. “He is a great, great lawyer: his dedication to his clients, his sense of humor, and the way he keeps up with all of the latest developments in criminal law.”

To learn more about Hammel Law Offices P.C., check out hammel-law.com.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

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Save the Date WCBA Events

Dec 13, 2022 | events

WCBA Events
Save the Dates!

Save the date for these upcoming WCBA events! More details to come.

 

State of the Courthouse

The State of the Courthouse Luncheon is returning to the Jacob Henry Mansion for 2023. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Timeline for the event will be as follows:

11:30AM: Arrival

11:45AM: Lunch will be served

Noon: Presentation

1:00PM: Event ends

RSVP now through January 25th at the following link: RSVP.

Please contact the WCBA office at (815)726-0383 or info@willcountybar.org with any questions.

Featured Attorney Angela Henderson

Oct 14, 2022 | Featured Attorney

Attorney Angela Henderson

To Mentor is to Touch a Life Forever

By Rachel Barks

Attorney Angela Henderson, as seen on Legal Action and featured for Divorce & Family Law with Will County Judge – The Honorable David Garcia, has been in the law industry for 25 years, and is extremely well-versed in family law, divorce, and mediation. She is a respected, experienced professional focusing on family law issues with a single office located in Joliet, Ill. — Henderson & Mehta Law and Mediation Center.

Before stepping into law, Henderson worked in business, which was very helpful when she started launching her career as an attorney.

“25 years ago there weren’t many women in the legal field,” Henderson said. “I was 40 when I graduated; I knew a lot of friends through my business practices, who were attorneys, who wrote me letters of recommendations.”

 

“Being a mentor is a valuable way to run your life.”

Henderson has a strong passion for community service that has spanned across her entire career. Many accomplishments that she is proud of stem from this service. On the Henderson & Mehta Law and Mediation Center website it states that, “Her long-standing commitment to community service has not diminished as Angela currently coaches the mediation team at Lewis University.

As a team they have competed overseas from England to Scotland, and were invited to India. She explains that she really enjoyed being a mentor to all those kids that were in college, most of whom are attorneys now, so she gets to visit them when they come to court.

“The skills you learn in mediation become part of your personality, so it’s comfortable to do and enjoyable to do,” Henderson said.

Henderson has also had the opportunity to start and be the chair of the Guardian ad Litem Committee of the Will County Bar Association. Henderson loves teaching and through this she was able to organize and help teach the ten hour accreditation class to become a Guardian ad Litem. She also helps teach the 40 hours mediation class that is geared towards attorneys and judges.

“Angela cares deeply about everyone that she works with. She is always looking for opportunities to provide mentorships to others; she also has a love of teaching,” said Courtney Mehta of Henderson & Mehta Law and Mediation Center.

Henderson is also involved with the Law Student Externship Program at the courthouse with Judge Archambeault. It’s where law students, usually first-year law students, come to work at the courthouse for free for the summer. Henderson teaches them a mini mediation class, takes them on field trips to the Appellate Court and the Federal Court, and more. They take in about ten students a summer that way.

The externship program takes a lot of commitment, so she assists Judge Archambeault in putting it together.

“I’ve been with her since the beginning of a ten year program, so we’ve helped a lot of new lawyers get their start.” Henderson said.

 

“You get more out of the mentoring process than the mentee gets. You have to understand your job well enough to teach it, and you have to understand how to communicate with people and how to be helpful to people,” She added. “Those are skills that make a good lawyer.”

To learn more about Henderson & Mehta Law and Mediation Center, visit angelahendersonlaw.com.

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

Nominate an attorney

First Woman Recipient of Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship is Named

Jul 20, 2022 | news, scholarship

Ayanna Squires

First Woman Recipient of Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship is Named

By Rachel Barks

The second annual Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship has found a recipient, and this year, it has been awarded to its first woman law student – Ayanna Squires, an Algonquin resident.

Squires is a driven and passionate individual, having already received her bachelor’s in criminal justice at Lewis University last May and is returning to school this fall, this time to tackle law school at Northern Illinois University.

WCBA President Tom Manzella, with Ayanna Squires and attorney Frank Cservenyak

WCBA President Tom Manzella, with Ayanna Squires and attorney Frank Cservenyak

“I really like the sense of community that people are there to help you in any way they can to grow and network,” Squires said. “I think it is awesome that different professionals and organizations are coming together for this one scholarship to help someone in their legal field.”

Squires took a gap year from school to jump into working within the legal field and get her feet wet; she is currently the 2021-2022 AmeriCorps Illinois JusticeCorps Fellow in the 12th Judicial Circuit. This is where she found out about the scholarship and waited for months for the scholarship to officially open so she could apply. Squires has a strong sense of love for Illinois, and the Will County community, and can’t see herself practicing law anywhere but her home state.

“One of the things that the scholarship will help with is building these community ties, and making sure to lean on those if I need them in law school, after law school, and while I continue to work within my community,” Squires added. “When I am a licensed attorney, I look forward to helping in any way I can.”

The Legal Opportunity Scholarship promotes a strong message of celebrating diversity within the legal community. Squires supports this and expresses how much this means to her as a black woman entering the field.

“It is really telling of the people that they see this issue within the legal community, a lack of diversity, whether that be with a lack of people of color in the legal field, gender ratios, anything of that sort,” Squires said. “I like that they tailored the scholarship to help an underrepresented minority in the legal field, and that helps me a lot as a black woman entering this field; I don’t have any lawyers in my family or anything as a first-generation student.”

Recipients of the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship, an incoming first-year Black or Latino Law Student, can earn up to $46,000 to assist in paying for their legal education by practicing law in Will County after graduation, which will allow them to further insert themselves into the community.

This year Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC joined an annual collaboration with the Will County Bar Association, the Black Bar Association of Will County, Latino Bar Association of Will County, Will County Women’s Bar Association, and Spesia & Taylor Attorneys at Law to sponsor the 2022 Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship.

Frank Cservenyak of Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC sees great value in giving back to the talented, upcoming professionals of the legal community, which is why they joined the annual collaboration this year.

“This broadens the types of lawyers, from all walks of life, instead of just a narrow walk of life,” Cservenyak said. “And I think that’s good so that we have across-the-board representation of ideas, backgrounds, and all different kinds of cultural experiences when we’re using the law and practicing law.”

Squires looks forward to beginning law school and being open-minded to what area of law she will practice specifically. She plans to take part in valuable internships and externships, taking advantage of what opportunities come her way and developing through those in preparation for graduation and the bar exam.

“One of the most joyous parts has been telling my friends, my family, my coworkers, and just sharing the good news; I’m so very grateful for this opportunity,” Squires said. “Thank you so much to those that created the scholarship and for taking action to have it move forward.”

Featured Attorney Gary Mueller

Apr 26, 2022 | Featured Attorney

Featured Attorney Gary Mueller

Give Back Something of Great Value

By Rachel Barks

Gary Mueller has worked in the law industry for over 32 years, served in numerous nonprofit organizations, as a community college adjunct professor, and is a member of many organizations including the Real Estate Section Council for the ISBA, past President of Will County Bar Association, fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and more.

Mueller started his law firm, Mueller & Associates, Ltd., after working with McKeown Law Firm and Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, concentrated in transactional law and mitigation and as an income partner.

Being able to help others is very rewarding to Mueller, and those stories he carries with him throughout his career.

“Honestly, the most important, most rewarding part about being an attorney is being able to assist others, especially those who are less fortunate,” Mueller said. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed in my life, with what I’ve been provided, the opportunities and guidance I’ve been given and I like being able to share that with others.”

Early in his life, Mueller didn’t plan to work in law. He came from a family of teachers and expected to become a doctor. Being able to open his law firm was a large accomplishment for him but he credits that to the amazing mentors he’s had and uses this to give back to the community.

“It’s a great opportunity that individuals in many professions have, to give back and give back something of great value,” He said.

For Mueller, giving back looks like the work he does within the law firm every day and his work for nonprofits over the years. He was a Steward of the Gertrude P. Zalar Alzheimer’s Center, which has since disbanded but are memories he holds dearly.

He has also done legal work within the real estate industry which he states is very rewarding. Mueller was recently selected to serve as a member of the Real Estate Section Council for the ISBA. He authors a monthly article for all REALTOR® members of the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®.

Mueller notes that many stories come out of legal careers and numerous have positively shaped his journey. One from many years ago, he notes, is when he was asked to represent a young couple that was experiencing difficulty having a child. They worked with a young lady out of Ohio who was going to be the couple’s surrogate, which was difficult due to the distance.

“One of my most favorite moments is that the best possible thing happened after we had that set up. It was all up and running and the couple got pregnant on their own. With the combination of surrogacy and natural birth, they now have two beautiful daughters who were born two weeks apart,” Mueller said.

“Mr. Mueller has dedicated his practice to the Will County legal community. He has served with dignity and honor. He exemplifies all of the characteristics of a practicing attorney who gives back to the community,” said Frank Czervenyak, another member of the Will County law community and one of Mueller’s right-hand colleagues.

Mueller personally thanks the following attorneys for their help and guidance throughout his career: Justice Daniel Ward, Joseph Fitzgerald, Douglas Hutchison, Steve Veltman, Frank Cservenyak, Ken Grey, Marty Cann, Mike Wojtak, Myles Jacobs, Jan Pena, Dorothy Seaborg, and all on the WCBA Real Estate Committee.

To learn more about Gary S. Mueller and Mueller & Associates, Ltd., visit muellaw.com

Nominate an Attorney

Eligible nominees must be a WCBA Member in good standing, and individuals cannot nominate themselves or members of their own firm.

The Board will review all nominations monthly and select one nominee to be featured. Individuals not selected will remain as nominees for future features.

If there are any questions please reach out to info@willcountybar.org or
(815) 726-0383.

Nominate an attorney