From 1.0 GPA to Justice: The Remarkable Journey of John Anderson

By Rachel Barks

John Anderson’s path to becoming a Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of personal experience. His story, marked by early struggles and profound life events, underscores the human side of the judiciary and the potential for profound growth.

“I was a poor student in high school. I barely graduated; I had a 1.0 GPA,” he reveals.

However, a tragic event reshaped his trajectory: the murder of his uncle, and the killer being found not guilty by reason of insanity. This experience ignited a passion for law and a desire to understand the complexities of the justice system.

Justice Anderson’s educational journey is nothing short of remarkable. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University, a Master of Science from the University of Illinois-Springfield, a Juris Doctor from what is now UIC, a Master of Business Administration from Notre Dame, and a Master of Laws from Duke Law School. He also experienced homelessness, living on a friend’s couch, after his parents lost their home to foreclosure. He credits this experience with teaching him, “empathy, humility, and the value of hard work.” His legal career, specializing in commercial and appellate litigation, saw him tackle challenging cases, including representing a bank in the aftermath of the Arthur Andersen collapse, recovering approximately $5 million for his client. “The case was challenging because the defendants asserted a massive array of affirmative defenses,” he recalls.

Justice Anderson acknowledges the profound influence of mentors, particularly Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride, “I was one of his first law clerks, and would not be a judge today but for him.” He also credits lawyers such as Rich Reizen, Dave Rownd, Dave Duffy, and Steve Rotunno.

Transitioning to the appellate court, Justice Anderson sees his role evolving significantly:

“As an appellate judge, my role in shaping legal precedent extends far beyond individual cases, influencing the broader legal landscape and ensuring consistency in the application of the law.”

He aims to bring a unique perspective, drawing on his experience as a trial judge to ensure fair and practical legal interpretations.

One of his key priorities is increasing transparency within the appellate court: “I would like to have more transparency on the appellate court, with lawyers and the general public having increased access to appellate court orders and other documents.”

“Justice Anderson and I started our Judicial careers on the same day in 2010. He presided over one of the more difficult Calls in Will County, and did it well. I am confident he will serve the people of the entire Third District with the same level of dedication,” said Judge Matthew Bertani of the Illinois 3rd District Appellate Court.

Justice Anderson is passionate about community service, particularly addressing homelessness and food security. While judicial ethics prevent him from engaging in pro bono legal work, he actively volunteers with organizations dedicated to these causes. During his time in private practice, he served on the board of directors for the Lawyer’s Trust Fund, where he helped raise and distribute approximately $40 million to legal aid organizations serving disadvantaged groups.

His advice to aspiring lawyers emphasizes integrity, strong writing, mentorship, and respect.

“Integrity is paramount. A lawyer’s reputation is built on honesty, reliability, and professionalism,” he noted.

He also stresses the importance of continuous learning and maintaining a work-life balance, finding solace in travel, writing, movies, and sports.

Justice Anderson’s journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks can be catalysts for extraordinary achievement. His commitment to justice, coupled with his personal experiences, shapes his approach to the law and his vision for a more transparent and accessible legal system.

Sonni Williams: A Trailblazer in the Legal Field

By Rachel Barks

Sonni Choi Williams, a prominent figure in the legal field, has carved a remarkable path, breaking barriers and inspiring countless individuals. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one’s passions. Williams’ early aspirations didn’t align with a legal career. Initially drawn to the sciences, she pursued a biology major at the University of Iowa. However, as she delved deeper into the field, she realized her true calling lay elsewhere. Her love for reading and history led her to a major shift, ultimately paving the way for her legal journey.

A pivotal moment came during a year off, when she observed her parents’ interactions with an attorney. She noticed a lack of representation for individuals like them, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds with limited resources. This realization ignited a desire to make a difference, prompting her to pursue a law degree at Northern Illinois University.

Since then, Williams has excelled in the field of municipal law, serving as the in-house city attorney for the City of Lockport. Her diverse range of responsibilities includes real estate, contracts, litigation, and employment law. She has also held significant roles in the City of Peoria, where she gained invaluable experience in various legal areas, from criminal defense to civil litigation.

“I’m very fortunate to be in a community with city council members who get along, they cooperate with each other and they have the ultimate goal of improving the city, not only in economic development, but making it a viable, livable place for people,” said Williams. “It’s been just a blessing to be working for the city of Lockport for the last seven years.”

Williams’ career is marked by numerous achievements, including arguing cases before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Illinois Supreme Court. She has been instrumental in groundbreaking legal initiatives, such as the implementation of a chronic nuisance ordinance to address crime-ridden properties.

Throughout her career, Williams has been fortunate to have strong mentors who have guided and supported her. These mentors, including judges, experienced attorneys, and her husband, have played a crucial role in shaping her professional journey. Some of these mentors include Jim Murphy, Cliff Mitchell, Judge Vince Cornelius, and Justice Mary O’Brien.

“Sonni is a natural leader. She is tireless in her commitment to the legal profession, and she consistently brings an energy, momentum and vision to every endeavor she undertakes,”
Cornelius said.

Williams’s advice to young lawyers is to build strong connections, seek mentorship, and cultivate a supportive network. She emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness, resilience, and maintaining mental well-being in a demanding profession. Her own experiences have taught her the value of kindness, respect, and integrity in building lasting relationships and achieving professional success.

“I always treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of what their position is, you know, whether they’re an attorney, whether they’re judges, whether they’re clerks or bailiffs, I treat everyone with respect,” Williams said. “I helped my mom clean restaurants when I was in high school late at night. And I know what it is like to do those labor intensive jobs; everyone has a role in our society and everyone deserves that respect.”

Williams’ story is an inspiration to aspiring lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Her dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to justice have made a significant impact on the legal field, and her legacy continues to inspire others to strive for excellence and make a positive difference in the world.

For more information on Williams and her work, visit www.cityoflockport.net.

First Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Recipient Completes Law School

By Rachel Barks

Adrian Guzman, the first recipient of the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship, has successfully completed law school. As a law student, Guzman obtained a temporary law license to gain practical experience through externships at the Will County Public Defender’s Office and the Illinois Innocence Project.

“I know as a young attorney I have a lot to learn. There’s quite a difference from being in the classroom versus being in the court,” Guzman said. “However, practicing in the criminal law area is something I am very excited about and eager to learn more about.”

Guzman’s journey to law school was not without its challenges. Struggling with a learning disability, he found school to be a difficult experience. However, a pivotal moment in seventh grade sparked a passion for law. While studying for the constitution test, Guzman became fascinated with the idea of protecting citizens’ rights and that those rights can be protected by becoming an attorney.

Throughout law school, Guzman actively engaged in various legal internships, externships, and experiences, including:

• Illinois Justice Corps (2019-2020)
• Spanish Community Center (2021)
• Spesia & Taylor (2022)
• Will County Public Defender’s Office (2023)
• Illinois Innocence Project (2024)

Will County Assistant Public Defender Kevin Blindauer worked with Guzman during his time with the Will County Public Defender’s Office as Guzman obtained his 711 license.

“Adrian has an ability to assess and pinpoint case issues quickly. As I watched him with clients, he listens with an ear to understand but also with compassion and patience,” Blindauer said. “Adrian is not shy about jumping into a matter and seeks out a challenge. Along with his ability to speak Spanish and confidence, Adrian will be an asset to a firm and his clients.”

Guzman is excited to embark on a career in criminal law. He is grateful for the opportunity to represent clients and learn from experienced attorneys.

Guzman was also honored with the Edward F. Diedrich Award, recognizing his commitment to protecting the civil rights of underprivileged communities. Additionally, he consistently made the Dean’s List throughout law school.

The Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship has played a significant role in Guzman’s law school path. The scholarship provides financial support, guidance, and valuable connections within the legal community. Guzman expressed gratitude for the support he received from Spesia & Taylor, particularly Jacob E. Gancarczyk.

Guzman believes that the scholarship sends a powerful message about diversity in the legal field. As an upcoming Latino lawyer, Guzman is committed to making a positive impact on the community and advocating for the rights of all individuals.

“The best part of my experience at the public defender’s office is helping someone and being told ‘thank you’ afterwards. I can see my presence is of value to people; my goal was always to do meaningful work,” Guzman said. He finds great satisfaction in knowing that his work is making a difference, and will continue to make a difference.

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.

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.