Education

• Loyola University, School of Law –
  Chicago; J.D. 2010
• Roosevelt University Paralegal School
  Paralegal Certificate with
  Honors, 2003
• Hanover College – B.A., 2002

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Greater North Shore Estate Planning
  Council

Community Involvement

• President, Kiwanis Club of Glenview – Northbrook, 2011–2012
• President-Elect, Kiwanis Club of Glenview-Northbrook, 2010–2011
• Board of Directors, Kiwanis Club of Glenview-Northbrook, 2005–2012
• Chairman, Glenview School District 34 Caucus, 2005

Admissions

• Illinois

Timothy Rocap is a Director in the Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning practice area. Tim focuses his practice on estate planning and estate and trust administration, as well as business law. He has experience counseling a wide range of clients, from young families to those transitioning to senior communities.

Tim has drafted hundreds of diverse plans, including plans for high net-worth individuals, individuals in second marriages and estranged family members. He employs a holistic approach with his clients and seeks to understand their needs and then develops the details of their plan.

Tim’s competent and confident handling of all legal issues surrounding the administration of an estate plan allows the families rely on his legal expertise so they may focus on grieving and remembering their loved ones. Tim helps his business clients create and maintain their companies, assisting with bylaws, operating agreements, buy/sell agreements, shareholder agreements, and annual filing requirements with the state.

His goal is to fully support his clients and to develop and maintain personal relationships while counseling them through life’s changes and challenges.

Tim resides in Arlington Heights and enjoys supporting his favorite soccer team Arsenal, as well as reading historical novels and golfing and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning , Trusts and Estates, Asset Preservation Planning, Business Counseling and Services, Entity Planning and Formation, Business and Fiduciary Taxation, Real Estate

(630) 221-1755 | radkins@huckbouma.com

Education

• DePaul University
  College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1991, J.D.
  Honors: With Honors and Order of the Coif
  Law Review: DePaul University Law Review, Member
• University of Illinois,
  Chicago, Illinois, 1988, B.S.
  Honors: College Honors
  Major: Accounting

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association Member

Admissions

• Illinois

Russell A. Adkins is a Shareholder, focusing his practice on individuals and business owners who are in need of advanced tax planning, wealth transfer, business succession planning, family limited partnerships, LLCs or irrevocable trusts. Russ also handles various aspects of tax planning and compliance for these entities, as well as trust and estate administration. Russ has worked extensively on developing and managing Huck Bouma’s Life and Legacy Planning Group, which handles all aspects of estate planning and administration, special needs planning and elder law.

Russ began his legal career as an associate attorney with McDermott, Will & Emery in Chicago, and subsequently joined the firm of Rooks, Pitts & Poust. After college Russ completed the CPA exam, and prior to beginning his legal career, worked in the tax department of a large public company, USG Corporation. He joined the Wheaton law firm of Huck Bouma, PC in 2000 and became a partner and shareholder of the firm in 2006.

Russ has resided in Wheaton with his wife, Sue, who is also an attorney with Huck Bouma, PC, since 1995. Russ and Sue met in law school and have raised three boys in the Wheaton community. Russ enjoys music, running and biking, golf and the exciting challenge of being a father to three sons.

Education

• DePaul University
  College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1991, J.D.
• Wheaton College,
  Wheaton, Illinois, 1988
  B.A., Major: Political Science

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association Member
• Illinois Bar Association Member

Admissions

• Illinois

Susan S. Adkins practices law in the areas of estate planning and estate administration. Sue has handled various facets of trust and estate plan documentation, trust funding and administration. Sue is a graduate of Wheaton College and DePaul College of Law.

As a previous small business owner, Sue has a practical approach to her practice. After graduation from law school, Sue worked as an associate attorney at the Law Office of Robert J. Ross until the end of 1993. At the same time she began managing a real estate development company in St. Charles, Illinois. In the late 1990s, Sue joined her husband in establishing their own law firm and she also became associated with the estate and trust law firm of Huck & Brisske, LLC in Wheaton. In 2000, she joined Huck Bouma and has been a member of their estate planning and estate administration groups.

Sue now works part time as she balances work and raising her three sons in Wheaton. Sue has resided in Wheaton since 1995 with her husband, Russ, also an attorney with Huck Bouma PC. Sue enjoys running, movies and time with her family.

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law,
  Chicago, Illinois – 2022
  – Juris Doctorate
  –Business Certificate
• North Central College,
  Naperville, Illinois – 2018
  – B.A. – International Business
  — Minor in Finance

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Hellenic Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Peter Angelos is an Associate in the Estate Planning and Business Services practice areas, focusing his practice primarily on advising individuals and families on estate planning objectives and asset protection strategies. In addition, Peter is handling matters involving business services.

Peter received his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He also holds a B.A. in International Business with a Minor in Finance.

Education

• Northern Illinois University School of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
  – Juris Doctor (magna cum laude)
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
  – Master of Arts, Sociology
• Smith College, Northampton, MA
  – Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois
• United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois

Sarmistha Banerjee is an Associate in the Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning practice area, focusing her practice principally on advising individuals and families on estate planning objectives centering around various types of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and living wills. She assists clients with multiple specialized needs to prepare comprehensive estate plans.

Before joining Huck Bouma, Sarmistha gained experience in employment, estate planning, family law, guardianship, probate and real estate at respected law firms in downtown Chicago and in the collar counties. She has served as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem for disabled adults and minors in guardianship proceedings and has courtroom and litigation experience in probate, guardianship and domestic relations matters, including appearing before the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court for oral arguments.

Sarmistha completed her law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law magna cum laude and was one of five students to graduate with a certificate in civil advocacy. She was a finalist in the internal Mock Trial Competition, recognized as Most Effective Advocate in a special topics course on Supreme Court Advocacy, and was second best oralist of 90 at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

While in law school, Sarmistha was selected as one of five students nationwide for a summer internship with the legal department of BP America. She was a research assistant for the Dean of the law school and a 7-11 licensed intern in the Office of General Counsel of Northern Illinois University. She was a founding student of the Northern Illinois University College of Law Health Advocacy Clinic created in partnership with Hesed House and Aunt Martha’s Health Center.

Sarmistha is an active member of her legal community. In law school, she was an invited speaker and ambassador for the Office of Admissions, a mentor for the Women’s Law Caucus, and a founding board member and president of the NIU Law chapter of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, which selected her as a Next Generation Leader.

She has served on the Board of the New Lawyer Division of the DuPage County Bar Association and on the Board of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers.

Education

• Northern Illinois University

Diane Barnes is a paralegal in the estate planning group, although her experience covers a wide range of fields; including real estate, estate and trust administration and corporate. Her practice includes all areas of trust funding and assisting clients complete beneficiary designations for retirement accounts. She specializes in the preparation of deeds to fund clients’ trusts with real estate; as well as the formation and funding of limited liability companies, and the funding of a wide variety of sophisticated estate planning vehicles such as irrevocable trusts, qualified personal residence trusts and grantor retained annuity trusts.

Diane began her legal career with the suburban satellite office of a large Chicago firm. During her 16 years at that firm, her areas of expertise included estate and trust administration, both residential and commercial real estate, and corporate work. She joined Huck Bouma in 2000 in an effort to further challenge herself, and to deepen her knowledge of estate planning.

Diane attended Northern Illinois University and received a bachelor’s degree in Business. Diane lives in the western suburbs with her family and enjoys bicycling and showing her dog in agility.

Education

• Marquette University Law School,
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1973
  Juris Doctor
• University of Detroit,
  Detroit, Michigan, 1968
  Accounting

Associations & Memberships

• Du Page County Bar Association
• Estate Planning Council, Member
• Estate Planning Council, Past President

Admissions

• Illinois
• Wisconsin

Charles J. Bellock is a director in the Estate Planning Department, focusing his practice principally in the areas of Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning.

Charles J. Bellock comes to Huck Bouma most recently from the law firm of Bellock & Coogan Ltd., where was a founding attorney since its inception in January of 2004.

Mr. Bellock has been practicing law in the areas of tax and financial matters, as well as business and estate planning and administration since 1973.

He has extensive experience in working with high net worth clients in all aspects of corporate, estate and financial planning.

He also has worked with many family-owned and other closely held businesses on various corporate and succession planning matters.

Mr. Bellock is a member of the DuPage County Estate Planning Council and is a past president. He has been a lecturer at the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and served as the moderator for the Annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course.

In his free time, Mr. Bellock plays golf as often as possible. He is a past President of Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook.
He also enjoys spending time with his daughters and grandchildren in Chicago and Boston.

Classes/Seminars:
• Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), Lecturer
• Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), Estate Planning Short Course, Moderator

Ralph R. Bouma, Jr. graduated from Knox College in 1964 and received his law degree in 1967 from the University of Illinois. Ralph received a legal taxation degree from DePaul University in 1993.

Ralph started practicing law in DuPage County in 1969. Ralph was a founding partner of the firm of Huck Bouma, PC with John Martin in 1980. He represented highly compensated individuals and closely held businesses in the technology, manufacturing, banking and service industries. He was experienced in income, retirement and estate planning and was a featured seminar speaker. With the addition of Jim Huck in 1988, Ralph was instrumental in growing Huck Bouma into one of the premier suburban Chicago law firms.

Ralph R. Bouma, Jr. retired from Huck Bouma at the end of 2004. Ralph is enjoying retirement with his wife in Michigan and Florida.

George M. Bradshaw retired as a principal of the firm effective January 1, 2015. His practice involved the representation of privately held and family-owned businesses in numerous industry segments, real estate investors and developers, individuals and banks. George’s past experience included 18 years of general practice in his own firm in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he focused on business, banking, real estate, estate planning and litigation matters. Prior to that George practiced for five years with Lupel & Amari, in Chicago, Illinois, concentrating in litigation.

George lives in Winfield and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and family, traveling and golfing. George serves on the Boards of Directors for Life’s Plan, Inc., an affiliate of the Ray Graham Association for people with disabilities, and the Marianjoy, Inc. Foundation.

Wealth Transfer, Asset Preservation and Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates, Trust and Estate Administration

(630) 221-1755 | hbrisske@huckbouma.com

Education

• Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois
  – A.B. Economics, German
• Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina
  – J.D.
• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois
  – LL.M. in Taxation
  – Certification in Financial Planning

Associations & Memberships

• Appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to its Committee on Character and Fitness, 2002 – 2004
• Wealth Counsel
• Elder Counsel
• The Advisors Forum
• DuPage County Bar Association
  – Chairman: Estate Planning and Probate Committee 1993 – 1994
  – Chairman: Business Law Committee 1992-1993
• Suburban Chicago Planned Giving Council 1997 – 1999
• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Estate Planning Council

Awards and Recognitions

• Wealth Counsel Drafting Award, 2019

Admissions

• Illinois

Heinz J. Brisske concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning. Heinz believes that estate planning involves much more than providing for the transfer of physical assets at death, and he has spent the better part of his legal career helping people with their life and death family planning situations. Planning for the unexpected and unforeseen requires experience that comes only with years of working with individuals and families in various situations, including family legacy planning, business succession planning, planning for the education of children, working toward retirement, planning for disability, incapacity and, ultimately, death. Heinz helps his clients achieve proactive, not reactive, solutions to the various issues that confront them during the different phases of their lives.

After receiving his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Duke University School of Law, Heinz began his legal career as an associate with a large litigation firm in Chicago. He left the big-city practice and helped found the firm of Greene, Jones & Brisske, which was active in the legal community in DuPage County for more than 20 years. During those years, Heinz learned a great deal about family relationships and dynamics, lessons that have helped him immensely as he subsequently developed his estate planning practice.

Heinz earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from the John Marshall Law School in 1997. In 1999, he co-founded the boutique estate planning firm of Huck & Brisske, LLC, with Kevin Huck. After Kevin’s retirement at the end of 2012, the law firm of Huck & Brisske merged its practice into Huck Bouma, PC. Together, they formed the Life & Legacy Planning Group of Huck Bouma. Built on a “Legacy of Trust,” the attorneys in the Life & Legacy Planning Group are highly respected estate planning, estate administration and elder law attorneys.

Currently residing in Wheaton with Ellen, his wife of 49 years, Heinz still enjoys spending time with his two children, Laura and David. The Brisske family has a close relationship and spends time together regularly. Laura is a stay-at-home mom, married to Corey, a packaging engineer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They have two girls, Lilia and Josephine. David is the Managing Director for Skky Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Boston, MA; he and his wife, Jona, a designer and author and illustrator of children’s books, have two daughter, Klara and Hazel.

An avid photographer and wine collector, Heinz also enjoys the occasional round of golf. Heinz and Ellen also enjoy spending time at their mountain home in Waynesville, North Carolina.

Speaking Engagements and Publications:

Estate Planning Traps and Pitfalls, DCBA Brief, 1995
Implementation of and Substitutes for Advance Medical Directives, DCBA Brief, 1996
The Family Limited Partnership: An Overview, DCBA Brief, 1997
Helping Clients Leave a Legacy.. not Just an Inheritance, Wealth Counsel Quarterly, 2017, Q1; 2017

Heinz has spoken on the subjects of Estate Planning and Retirement Planning in numerous forums for the clients of various financial planning firms and independent financial planners. He has also been a presenter in various programs for the DuPage County Bar Association.

Heinz was a principal speaker at Provena Mercy Medical Center Foundation’s Philanthropic & Legacy Planning for Professional Advisors on the topic of Estate and Gift Tax Update: Crystal Ball Anyone? in 2010.

Heinz has been an active presenter on behalf of WealthCounsel, LLC. In 2013, he taught a series of two and one-half day seminars, or “practice-building boot camps,” which were taught to estate planning practitioners in various cities around the country. The topic of the programs was Comprehensive Revocable Living Trusts and Practice Development Solutions. In 2014, he co-presented a course for WealthCounsel in Cambridge, Massachusetts called Estate Planning Essentials. In October, 2017, he presented an interactive workshop at the WealthCounsel Symposium 2017, in Hollywood, California, leading a discussion on the topic “Navigating the Transition to Estate Planning”. The workshop explored the pitfalls and opportunities involved in starting an estate planning practice for attorneys who have been engaged in any number of other practice areas.

“Reopening Together” with Heinz Brisske (June, 2020). ElderCounsel members across the country were interviewed to hear how their law firms were handling the changes needed to continue business during COVID-19. Everything from document signings to marketing plans were discussed. https://eldercounsel.com/reopening-together-with-heinz-brisske/

Heinz has also presented various online webinars for WealthCounsel and the Advisors Forum.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.”

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2005
  with Highest Distinction
• University of Notre Dame, B.B.A., 1998
  Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Associations & Memberships

• Certified Public Accountant
• DuPage County Bar Association, Secretary Treasurer, 2017-2019

Recognitions

• 2019 Lawyer of the Year,
  DuPage County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Tricia R. Buhrfiend is a Senior Director with the firm, representing individuals, high net worth families and business owners, and concentrates her practice on estate planning, taxation, succession planning and other general corporate matters.

Tricia assists her clients in preparing custom revocable trusts, wills, irrevocable trusts, limited partnership, limited liability company agreements, shareholder agreements and various other agreements. Tricia also has substantial experience in assisting individuals, business owners, and tax-exempt organizations in general tax structuring and tax-related issues.

After college, Tricia worked in public accounting at a large public accounting in Chicago, Illinois. After law school and prior to joining the firm, Tricia practiced law at a large law firm in Chicago, Illinois.

Tricia has a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law (with Highest Distinction) and graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame (magna cum laude).

Tricia is a certified public accountant (CPA). She has also served in several leadership positions with the DuPage County Bar Association.

Tricia resides in Elmhurst with her husband and three children. Personally, Tricia enjoys entertaining, spending time with friends and family and watching college football.

Education

• University of Notre Dame, B.A., 2002
  Government, German
• Loyola University Chicago School of Law,
  Juris Doctor cum laude, 2008

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• Association for Justice
• Kane County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of IL

Awards

• Leading Lawyers Magazine – Emerging Lawyer in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Super Lawyers Magazine – “Illinois Rising Star” in 2017, 2018
• Loyola Leadership and Service Award, 2008
• CALI Award recipient – Estate and Gift Tax, best exam 2007
• William J. Kilbridge Memorial Award for outstanding performance in the Federal Tax Clinic, 2008
• Schiff Hardin/John J. Waldron Scholarship, 2006-2007

Kirsten A. Casas is a Director in Huck Bouma’s litigation practice group. Kirsten represents businesses and individuals on a variety of civil litigation matters including commercial disputes and contested estates and guardianships. She has experience arguing dispositive motions as well as trying cases to a jury verdict and before the bench.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Kirsten was the Senior Staff Attorney for 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois between 2009 and 2011. After entering private practice, she practiced in the areas of civil litigation, plaintiff’s personal injury, municipal litigation, land-lord tenant, and contested guardianships.

Kirsten received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Before becoming a lawyer, she taught in Austria through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Program.

Since growing up in a military family, she is happy to have planted roots in Batavia, where she lives with her husband.

Education

• IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  – Juris Doctor
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Thomas H. Clark is a Director in the Estate Planning Department, focusing his practice principally on advising individuals and families on their specific Estate Planning needs and objectives.

In addition to providing assistance with Trust and Estate Administration, Tom places an emphasis on helping the parents of children with special needs. This emphasis stems from being the parent of a child who suffers from Autism.

Parents of children with Special Needs typically need assistance with special needs trusts, obtaining guardianship when their child becomes an adult, and navigating the various government programs available to disabled adults, including but not limited to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Mr. Clark was the sole practitioner of Thomas Clark Law, a firm he created to assist parents like himself.

Before starting Thomas Clark Law, Tom spent 15 years administering trusts and estates for three of Chicago’s largest trust departments, giving him an in-depth knowledge of trust and estate law solutions.

Tom’s experience, both personal and professional, enables him to ask the right questions, make practical recommendations and provide effective solutions for each client’s estate planning and trust administration needs. He is also able to explain complicated estate planning concepts to clients and prospects, both individually and in group settings.

Tom grew up in Oak Park and has been a lifelong resident of suburban Chicago. He and his wife, Molly, are the proud parents of Jack (aka Jackie Bear) and have been active in the Autism community and other organizations supporting children with disabilities since their son was diagnosed.

Education

• Boston College Law School, Newton, MA
  Juris Doctor, 1991
• University of Massachusetts at Amherst
  Amherst, MA
  Major: Political Science (BA)

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Brian R. Connors is a Director at Huck Bouma. Brian has extensive experience leading and closing a wide array of commercial real estate, lending and business transactions. Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Brian served for more than 20 years as senior and assistant corporate counsel for a commercial real estate investment company and for national and regional commercial banks in the Chicagoland area. He also practiced law at large and midsized law firms in Boston, Massachusetts.

Brian’s experience in commercial real estate transactions includes acquisitions and dispositions, real estate finance and representing both landlords and tenants in the negotiation of commercial leases. Brian is highly skilled in structuring, documenting and negotiating commercial finance transactions, including asset-based and working capital loans, mortgage and construction loans and acquisition financings.

Brian’s immersion in the distinct business pressures of each organization where he served as in-house counsel has instilled the ability to develop practical solutions and creative approaches to move transactions forward without compromising long-term client goals.

Brian is admitted to practice in Illinois. He received his law degree in 1991 from Boston College Law School and his B.A. in political science in 1988 from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law
  Chicago, Illinois, 1993
  Juris Doctor (with honors)

• University of Illinois,
  Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 1983
  B.S., Accounting

Associations & Memberships

• Du Page County Bar Association, Member
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member
• Texas State Bar Association, Member
• DuPage County Estate Planning Council, Member
  Board Member, 2001-2010
• Five Star Professional
• Influential Women in Business

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant

Admissions

• Illinois
• Texas

Kimberly S. Coogan is a director in the Estate Planning Department, focusing her practice principally in the areas of Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning.

Kim comes to Huck Bouma from Bellock & Coogan, Ltd., where she was a founding member.

Her areas of expertise include Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Charitable Planning, Business Planning, and Business Succession Planning.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Coogan practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. She was involved in all aspects of corporate audit work, and some tax work.

Ms. Coogan is a Past President and is currently a member of the DuPage County Estate Planning Council, the DuPage County, Illinois and Texas Bar Associations. She is currently a member of the DuPage Foundation Professional Advisors Committee.

She has also been a speaker and moderator for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and has served on the Illinois State Bar Association Federal Taxation Council, the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Tax Committee, Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Advisory Board, and the DuPage Community Foundation Next Generation Initiative.

Her volunteer work includes assisting at DuPage PADS shelters and co-chairing the charity Christmas gift collection at her church.

Ms. Coogan was named a 2012 Influential Women in Business by the Daily Herald Business Ledger, and a 2014 and 2015 Five Star Estate Planning Attorney in Chicago Magazine.

Ms. Coogan enjoys yoga, spending time at her lake retreat gardening, cooking, golfing, water-skiing, entertaining, and spending as much time with her family as possible.

Areas of Practice

• Business Services
• Trusts & Estates

Education

• Certified Public Accountant, State of Florida, 2021
• Certified Public Accountant, State of Illinois, 2006
• Certified Financial Planner, 2017
• Columbia College of Missouri, 2002, BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.
  – Honors: Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society
• William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Illinois, 1993, Associate in Applied Science in Legal Technology.
  – Honors: College Honors

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• 2022 –  2023  Member of the Illinois CPA Society Tax Executive Committee
• 2022 – 2023 Chair of the Illinois CPA Society Taxation, Estate, Gift and Trusts Committee
• 2010 – 2022 Member of the Illinois CPA Society Taxation, Estate, Gift and Trusts Committee

Awards and Recognitions

• Illinois CPA Society, Distinguished Service Award 2019-2020
  recognizing significant contributions to the Tax – Estate Gift and Trust Committee

Beth M. Cwik began her career as a paralegal at a small general practice law firm. She soon moved into a more specialized position at a large suburban law firm primarily focusing on estate planning, estate administration and corporate law. With the full support of her family, Beth went back to college to complete her bachelor’s degree in accounting and began work at a public accounting firm where she handled the preparation of business and individual income tax returns as well as assisting small business clients. When the occasion arose to take a position, which combined her paralegal skills and love for tax, she jumped at the opportunity to join the Huck Bouma estate planning team where her primary responsibilities include all aspects of estate/succession planning and associated tax work.

Beth enjoys spending time with her family, reading, Zumba and volleyball.

Publications:
Illinois CPA Society Practice Advantage e-Newsletter, various articles and alerts

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. 1996
• University of Florida, M.A. – Masters in Accounting and Taxation, 1991
• University of Florida, B.A. 1990

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant

Admissions

• Illinois
• Florida

Brett M. Dale is a Shareholder with the firm and Chairman of the Estate Planning Group. He represents highly compensated individuals and closely held businesses in various industries. Brett concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and corporate planning. Brett is licensed to practice in Illinois as well as in Florida.

Brett counsels individuals, executives and business owners on various estate planning, succession planning and corporate planning techniques. Many of his clients are closely held businesses. His planning techniques focus on federal and state estate, gift, generation-skipping and income taxation. Brett also represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in estate and trust issues.

Brett is a frequent lecturer for various groups including the Illinois Certified Public Accounting Society. He is the past President of the Fox Valley Chapter of the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants and past President of the Wheaton Rotary Club. Brett is a Director at Cadence Health, member of the Marianjoy Foundation and also a member of the Board of Trustees of the DuPage Community Foundation.

Brett resides in Wheaton with his wife, Kristine, and their four children. Brett is actively involved in his community, the schools his children attend, along with his personal enjoyment of playing basketball, fishing, hunting and golf.

Below are just a few frequently asked questions designed to help you to understand the broad concept of estate planning and how it will benefit you.

“How Does the Estate Planning Process Work?”
An up-to-date estate plan helps you preserve, protect and manage your assets. This video provides a quick overview of the process.

“When Do I Need to Update My Estate Plan?”
It is important to keep your estate plan up to date. This video explains the critical times to review your estate plan.

Special Consideration for Business Owners
Business owners face unique issues when creating their estate plans.

Remote Estate Planning
During this unprecedented time, people’s need for urgent estate planning has increased, requiring attorneys to employ innovative methods of providing services.

Asset Preservation Planning, Business Services, Contract Services, Elder Law, Employee Handbooks, Agreements, Policies and Training, Employment Law, Employment Law Counseling, Employment Law Litigation, Entity Planning and Formation, Gift, Estate and Fiduciary Taxation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Non-Compete Agreements and Trade Secrets, Taxation, Trust and Estate Administration, Trusts and Estates, Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning

(847) 289-3377; (847)695-3243 | mdeutsch@huckbouma.com

Education

• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation)
• Bradley University, B.S.
• Certified Public Accountant

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Member Illinois State Bar
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Kane County Bar Association

Michael C. Deutsch (retired) has over 30 years of experience in representing businesses and individuals. He concentrated his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and corporate and business planning.

Mike represented a wide variety of businesses on matters including business formation, mergers, acquisitions and sales of businesses, succession planning and other operational issues faced by businesses.

Mike also represented numerous individuals and business owners in the development of their estate plans. Each estate plan was customized for the various goals and needs of the client. The techniques range from basic Wills and Power of Attorney documents through more sophisticated estate tax planning techniques; included the preparation of various trusts designed to reduce or eliminate the exposure to state and federal wealth transfer taxes.

Mike resides in Woodstock with his wife, Vicki. He has three adult children and six grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf, strength and fitness training and following the Chicago sports teams.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.”

Education

• University of Illinois, College of Law, J.D.
• University of Illinois, B.S. (Psychology)

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Illinois
• DuPage County Bar Association

Carl joins Huck Bouma after thirty years’ experience as in-house counsel for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a large, publicly-held insurance brokerage firm, where he served in a variety of roles and provided a broad range of legal services to all sectors of the business, including retail and wholesale property and casualty insurance, group benefits and claims adjusting.

With extensive experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Carl has primarily represented buyers, handing all aspects of the transaction, from the term sheet through post-closing resolution of escrows and earn-outs.

Carl has also negotiated complex vendor agreements for IT and telecommunications systems, and assisted businesses with non-disclosure and non-competition agreements.

An active Toastmaster since 2009, Carl lives in Naperville.

Publication
See Chapter 9 – “Regulation of Producers, Agents and Brokers”; Insurance Industry (Illinois): Laws and Regulations 2010 Edition; Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education

Education

• Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
  – Juris Doctorate, 1999
• University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois
  – B.A., English

Associations & Memberships

• Kane County Bar Association
  • Property, Trust & Estate Law Section
• Wealth Counsel
• Elder Counsel
• Leading Lawyers
  • Estate Planning, Estate Administration
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)

Admissions

• Illinois

Michael J. Fitzgerald is a highly experienced attorney in the Trusts and Estates Department, focusing his practice principally Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Elder Law.

Mr. Fitzgerald comes to us most recently from the Fitzgerald Law Office, LLC, where he served as both the founder and managing partner. He is also a Chartered Financial Consultant® with over 25 years of experience in the areas of estate and financial planning.

Mr. Fitzgerald received his Baccalaureate Degree in English from the University of Illinois in Champaign Illinois.

After acquiring the ChFC® designation and 10 years’ experience as a financial planner, he entered Northern Illinois University College of Law to gain the expertise and licensing to be able to give his clients the integrated estate plan he believes everyone deserves.

Dedicated to educating both his clients and allied professionals, he has been a featured speaker at companies, such as Financial Network Investment Corporation, American Family Insurance and the University of Illinois Medical School. He has also taught Community College classes, as well as given hundreds of seminars and workshops.

Mr. Fitzgerald has been named as an Illinois Leading Lawyer for estate planning and administration by his attorney peers.

He is a member of the Kane County Bar Association where he is involved in the Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, Elder Counsel™ and WealthCounsel™ the National Associations of leading Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys.

He lives in the Fox Valley with his wife, Pat.

He is active in his church and civic organizations, he plays guitar in a praise band and likes to get out and fish when time permits.

Areas of Practice

• Trust & Estates
• Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning
• Business Services
• Taxation
• Buying and Selling Businesses

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D.
  Iowa State University, B.S. (Industrial Administration)

Associations & Memberships

• Registered Certified Public Accountant, Illinois
• Chicago Estate Planning Council, Member
  1998-2007; 2016-Present
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member 2006-Present
• Chicago Bar Association, Member 2016-Present
• Missouri Bar Association, Member 1981-2016
• DuPage County Bar Association, Member
  2007-2015
• Leading Lawyers Network, Member 2003-Present
• Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), Estate Planning
• Short Course Planning Committee, Member,
  2011-2016, 2018

Admissions

• Illinois

As a business and estate planning lawyer, Steve Frost, a Director with the Firm, represents closely-held businesses and their owners, real estate owners, and high net individuals. Steve’s clients—many of which have been with him for 15 to 20 years—are central to his practice. With over three decades of experience and insight, including being a Certified Public Accountant, Steve helps his clients succeed personally and in business. Steve is willing to provide the access and responsiveness that clients expect in this highly competitive world. Business owners appreciate Steve’s deep understanding of business and his practical approaches to solving problems.

Specifically, his experience includes:

Wealth Transfers
Steve designs and implements sophisticated wealth transfer strategies for business owners and high net worth individuals. In addition to basic estate planning vehicles, he uses complex tax savings techniques such as: discounted gifts, family limited partnerships, split interest trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, installment sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, charitable trusts and private foundations to meet a client’s goals. Steve also directs the preparation of gift and estate tax filings necessary to properly report such wealth transfers. He works with clients to adopt effective asset protection strategies.

Trust and Estate Administration
Steve directs the administration of estates and trusts to achieve planned outcomes and maximize available tax saving opportunities. During the difficult period following a family member’s death, Steve works closely with families and supervises the transfer of assets in accordance with a decedent’s plan. He also supervises the ongoing administration of trusts (including charitable trusts) and private foundations, and assists clients in properly reporting such administration activities to the appropriate taxing authorities.

Business and Transition Planning
Steve advises business owners related to the organization, operation and transition of many types of closely-held businesses. He designs and implements workable strategies to transition the ownership of businesses. Steve works with clients to address control issues, tax planning strategies, and buy/sell arrangements to ensure that each business can continue in accordance with an owner’s wishes.
Organizational Planning Steve advises clients regarding the use of limited liability companies and other flow-through entities in various business transactions. He counsels clients regarding the optimal structures for the acquisition or sale of existing businesses. Steve also advises clients regarding the tax consequences of operating a business or owning an investment.

Estate and Gift Tax Compliance
Steve prepares federal estate and gift tax returns. He regularly provides estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer and income tax reporting advice to high net worth individuals and their families. If a client is audited, Steve defends the client’s position before the IRS or any other applicable taxing authority.

Professional Background
As was noted by Leading Lawyers Magazine: Consumer Edition in their article, “West Suburban Estate Planner Exudes Competence, Commitment and Caring,” when Steve offers business, tax and estate planning guidance to his closely held business and high net worth individual clients, it’s with three decades of experience and insight. Steve recently entered his fifteenth year of teaching estate and gift taxation as an adjunct professor at DePaul University Graduate School of Business. He is also approaching a decade of teaching trust and partnership law annually as a visiting professor at Vytautas Magnus University Law School in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Community/Civic Activities:

• Downers Grove Zoning Board of Appeals, Commissioner, 2017–Present
• Arcadia on the Green Building Condominium Association, Director, 2016–Present
• Catholic Charities of Chicago Business Advisory Board, Member, 2001–Present
• Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission, Commissioner, 2011–2015
• Naperville Transportation Advisory Board, Commissioner, 2002–2011; Chairman, 2005–2011
• Xilin Association (Asian Cultural Center), Director, 2008
• United Way of the DuPage Area, Director, 2008–2009
• Naperville United Way, President, 2008; Director 2006–2008; Campaign Co–Chair, 2005–2006
• Naperville Transportation Management Advisory Committee, Member, 2007–2008
• Ogden Avenue Corridor Study Committee, Member, 2006–2007
• Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman, 2006; Director, 2003–2005; Past Chair, 2007
• Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Policy Review Task Force, Member, 2002
• Ashbury Homeowners Association, Director, 1998–2002; President, 2000–2001
• Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation, Director, 1999–2001
• Holy Spirit Catholic Community, Parish Council, 2001–2002; Chair Naming Committee, 1999
• Frontier Park Committee of Naperville Park District, Member, 1999–2000
• Infant Jesus of Prague, Parish Council, 1992–1994; Chairman, 1993–1994

Publications:

• “Partnership and LLC Agreements Require Changes by 2018,” September 2017
• “Gift Tax and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Elections and Strategies,” chapter in Post Mortem Estate
• Planning, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2014
• “Postmortem Estate Planning,” co-editor of notebook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2014
• “Federal Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes,” chapter in Estate Planning for Illinois
• Attorneys: The Basics and Beyond, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2012
• “Postmortem Estate Planning,” co-editor of notebook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2010
• “Gift Tax and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Elections and Strategies,” chapter in Post Mortem Estate
• Planning, IllinoisInstitute for Continuing Legal Education, 2010″FLP Flops,” Practical Advantage, Illinois CPA Society, 2009
• “Dollars & Sense” monthly newspaper column contributor, Naperville Sun, 2005 – 2008
• “Family Foundations: The Legacy Continues,” chapter in Estate Planning Strategies: A Lawyer’s Guide to
• Retirement and Life Planning, American Bar Association, 2002
• “The Family Nash: A Case Study,” a commercial estate planning course book for insurance professionals, 2000

Areas of Practice

• Trusts and Estate Administration

Education

• Northern Illinois University, B.A. 2012

Maritza Gonzalez is a paralegal in the Estate and Trust Administration group. She joined Huck Bouma, PC December 2016, bringing a diverse legal and trust administration background. Maritza began working as a legal assistant at Prairie State Legal Services, a non-profit legal firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors. While working at Prairie State, she finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at Northern Illinois University, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law and Public Administration.

Maritza began her career in 2012 working at a community bank as a trust associate specializing in operations and administration of traditional trusts, estates, guardianships, and special needs trusts. Her primary focus is the administration of trusts and estates, guiding clients and their families through the administration process.

Maritza resides in St. Charles and enjoys coaching youth soccer. She is also an Outreach Coordinator for FIRST Robotics Team 2451 and travels with the team for competitions as much as she can.

Education

• University of Notre Dame Law School, 2017
  -Juris Doctor
  -Jon E. Krupnick Award for Excellence in the Art of Trial Advocacy
  -Notre Dame Law School Journal of Legislation, Solicitations Committee
• University of St. Francis, 2014
  -BA, Criminal Justice,
  -Political Science
  -Magna Cum Laude

Associations & Membership

• Chicago Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois
• US District Court, Northern District, Illinois

Leah Gorski is an Associate attorney in Huck Bouma’s Litigation Practice Group. Leah focuses her practice on the representation of businesses and individuals in a variety of litigation matters including guardianship disputes and general commercial litigation.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Leah practiced insurance defense litigation in Chicago where she received valuable experience defending individuals and businesses in construction accident, premises liability, trucking accident, and motor vehicle accident disputes.

Leah received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois in 2014. While at St. Francis, Leah was captain of the Women’s Tennis team, a CCAC Scholar Athlete, and captain of the Mock Trial team. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2017.

During law school, Leah was a member of the Journal of Legislation and the Sports, Communication, and Entertainment Law Forum. Upon her graduation, Leah was awarded the Jon E. Krupnick Award for Excellence in the Art of Trial Advocacy.

Leah resides in Naperville with her husband and Great Dane.

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, IN
  – Juris Doctorate (1975)
• Western Michigan University – Haworth College of Business, Kalamazoo, MI
  – BBA, Business Administration (1971)

Associations & Memberships

• Academy of Special Needs Planners
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Wealth Counsel
• Elder Counsel

Admissions

• Illinois

Daniel O. Hands is a highly experienced attorney in the Trusts and Estates Department, focusing his practice principally on Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Elder Law. (more…)

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Kent College of Law, J.D.
• University of Illinois, B.A.

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Member Illinois State Bar

The primary focus of Brian’s practice has been residential and commercial real estate transactions.

Brian attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences degree in 1992. Brian subsequently attended law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he graduated in 1995 and passed the Illinois State Bar Exam that same year. Brian became a partner at Brady & Jensen in January, 2015, prior to their joining Huck Bouma in 2017.

Brian has been a life-long resident of Elgin.

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, JD., LL.B.
• Valparaiso University, B.A.

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Member Illinois State Bar
• First Community Financial Corp., Director, 1991 – 2016
• National Sports Management Inc., Director, 1999 – 2002
• Phi Alpha Delta
• Tau Kappa Epsilon

Richard (Bud) Heimberg’s professional time is spent dealing mainly in areas relating to real estate, including purchases and sales, deferred exchanges, annexation and zoning, subdivision and development, and project structuring, including residential and commercial entities. Representative clients have included Pulte Home Corporation, Concord Development Corporation, Pasquinelli Builders, CMD Midwest Corporation, Safety Kleen Corporation, Sherman Hospital, Interstate Partners, Windsor Development Corporation, The Residential Land Fund I, Residential Development Group, Inc., Centex Homes, Wyndham Deerpoint Homes, as well as local property owners, builders, and developers. In addition, Bud consults with other members of the firm in real estate-related facets of business and estate planning projects. Bud is a firm believer in drawing on the firm’s wide variety of talent and experience to provide the best legal service available to the firm’s clients.

Bud attended Eastern Illinois University (1959-1961) and transferred to Valparaiso University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. Bud then entered Valparaiso University School of Law where he received his Bachelor of Laws Degree (1965), graduating cum laude with the highest grade point average in his class and serving as president of the Student Bar Association. While attending law school, Bud played varsity baseball for Valparaiso University and was elected to the All-Indiana Collegiate Conference Team in 1964.

Following graduation from Valparaiso University School of Law, Bud became an associate with the firm (then Brady, McQueen, Martin, Collins & Callahan). Bud became a partner in 1969.

Bud’s community participation includes: (a) service as Treasurer and two separate terms on the Board of Directors of the Greater Elgin YMCA, (b) membership on the Finance Committee of the Larkin Center, (c) membership on Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Council and Finance Committee, (d) member of Board of Trustees of Fox Valley Mental Health Foundation, (e) member of the Greater Elgin Family Care Center Endowment Board, and (f) coaching youth basketball and baseball.

Bud was elected as a director of The Larkin Bank in 1979 and served in that capacity until the bank merged into NBD Bancorp in 1992. Bud co-founded First Community Financial Corporation, the holding company of First Community Bank, Elgin, and served as a member of the holding company Board of Directors until it merged into St. Charles National Bank and Trust Company in 2016.

Bud is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Kane County Bar
ssociation. Bud has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, indicating
that his legal abilities are the highest standard and that his professional ethics are
unquestioned.

Bud has resided in Elgin, Illinois since 1965, having previously lived in his hometown
of Valparaiso, Indiana. Bud and his wife, Karen, have four children.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.”

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law – Illinois Institute of Technology,
  Chicago, Illinois
  – Juris Doctorate
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
   Champaign, Illinois

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

Admissions

• Illinois

Thomas J. Homer is a former state lawmaker, appellate court judge, and prosecutor with over 40 years of legal experience.

He is a highly experienced attorney in the Trusts and Estates Department, focusing his practice principally on Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning and Estate, Trust Administration real estate and mediation.

Thomas comes to us most recently from the The Homer Law Firm, PC, where he served as Founding Attorney. He provided high-quality services including all sections of asset protection, fundamental estate planning, elder law, and business succession.

Tom Homer began his legal career in 1974 as a prosecutor. He served two terms as the Fulton County Attorney and six terms as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Tom was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1996. From 2004 to 2014, he served as ethics advisor to the Illinois General Assembly. He has been recognized by the Illinois General Assembly for his integrity and ability (House Joint Resolution 142, 95th General Assembly) and was featured in an article in the Naperville Sun.

In March, 2017, Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Tom to the Illinois Board of Examiners an organization that protects Illinois citizens’ interest by the examination and certification of candidates who seek Certified Public Account (CPA) licensure in the state.

James M. Huck graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and a law degree in 1963. Jim began his practice in DuPage County in 1963 and, before joining the firm of Huck Bouma, PC, he was a partner in the Wheaton law firms of Huck and Walsh and Rathje and Woodward. Jim concentrated in the areas of General Corporate, Business Law and Commercial Real Estate and represented many of the prominent Wheaton area individuals and businesses.

Since 1988, Jim was instrumental in growing Huck Bouma into one of the premier suburban Chicago law firms. He managed the firm for several years before his retirement.

Jim retired from Huck Bouma in 2008. Jim and his wife have lived in Wheaton since 1963, and now enjoy traveling and being involved with various Wheaton-area charities.

Kevin J. Huck (deceased) received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968 from Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1973 from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law. After graduation, Kevin worked at a Fortune 500 Company in its Federal Tax research department and thereafter as a Trust Officer at a Chicago Bank.

In 1976, Kevin went into the private practice of law with the law firm of O’Reilly, Cunningham, Duncan and Huck, concentrating in the areas of Estate Planning, Real Estate and Corporate Law. In 1987, he formed his own law firm. He co-founded the law firm of Huck & Brisske, LLC with Heinz Brisske in 1999. Huck & Brisske provided high-quality estate planning services.

Kevin wound down his legal career just prior to the merger of Huck & Brisske, LLC and Huck Bouma PC in early 2013. He accomplished his dream of building a home in a mountain community in Black Mountain, just outside Asheville, North Carolina, where he was able to see for miles on a clear day, and look down at the top of clouds on days when the sun wasn’t shining. His wife, Becky, continues to live in Black Mountain, NC.

Education

• Boston College Law School, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, 1993 J.D.
• Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1990 B.A.
  Majors: Political Science and Philosophy

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association (President, 2013-14)
• Robert E. Jones Chapter of the American Inns of Court (President, 2009-10)
• Illinois State Bar Association (Assembly, 2013-18; Family Law Section Council, 2014-15)
• American Bar Association
• DuPage County Justinian Society of Lawyers
• Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, by Appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court (2018-2023 term)

Admissions

• Illinois

Patrick B. Hurley is a Senior Director in the firm’s Litigation Group. Pat’s practice involves the representation of individuals and businesses in a variety of contexts, including divorce, child custody, premarital agreements, and general civil litigation. In addition to his substantial trial experience, Pat is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution, having successfully represented clients in numerous mediation and arbitration hearings.

Since 2010, Pat has received the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” peer review rating, the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in the area of family law each year since 2013.

Pat has also been a leader in the DuPage County Bar Association, a professional association of approximately 2,800 members, where he has served on the Board of Directors, has chaired various committees, and served as its President in 2013-14. Additionally, Pat has served as President of the Robert E. Jones Chapter of the American Inns of Court, an organization of judges and lawyers based on the English Inns of Court system, designed to improve the skills, professionalism, and ethics of the bench and bar. Prior to joining Huck Bouma in 2000, Pat engaged in the general practice of law in the Boston, Massachusetts area, representing clients in such matters as divorce, personal injury, general civil litigation, criminal defense, and appellate practice.

Pat received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College in 1990, with dual majors in Political Science and Philosophy. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1993, receiving his Juris Doctor degree. During law school, Pat was a student attorney with the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau and clerked during the summers in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Pat lives in Hinsdale with his wife Cara, a clinical psychologist, and their two children. Pat enjoys music, sports, travel, food and wine.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with theMartindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2006
  (Certificates in Tax and International Law)
• Drake University, B.S. in Business Administration, 1998

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Jason T. Johns, a Senior Director with the Firm, focuses his practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, as well as gift and estate taxation. Jason provides estate planning services to a wide range of clients with varying estate planning needs. From doctors to librarians, business owners to directors at Fortune 500 companies, taxable estates to non-taxable estates, Jason has the experience necessary to craft estate plans to achieve his clients’ unique goals.

He takes a client-centered approach, developing an estate plan for his clients that address their specific needs. Jason uses such estate planning techniques as living trusts, powers of attorney, gifts and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, generation skipping transfer tax trusts (Dynasty Trusts), limited liability companies, irrevocable insurance trusts, and charitable remainder trusts. He also has experience with trust decanting when existing irrevocable trusts cease to serve their purposes.

Jason’s interest in estate planning derives from his own personal experience. He was a senior in college when his father, a small business owner, died unexpectedly. From that, Jason learned first-hand the value of estate planning and the need for succession planning for business owners.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, P.C., Jason was a member with Kelly, Olson, Michod, DeHaan & Richter, L.L.C., a general practice law firm in downtown Chicago.

Jason lives in the Village of Riverside, and represents the village as a trustee on the West Suburban Mass Transit District.

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law
  Chicago, Illinois, 2007
  Juris Doctor (with honors)
• University of Wisconsin
  Madison, Wisconsin, 2002
  B.S. (graduated with Distinction)

Associations & Memberships

• Du Page County Bar Association
  Estate Planning, Probate sections
• DuPage County Estate Planning Council
• Illinois State Bar Association
  Trusts & Estates section
  Real Property section

Admissions

• Illinois
• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Derek M. Johnson is a Director in the Estate Planning Department, focusing in the areas of Wealth Transfer and Estate/Trust Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Estate and Gift Taxation, Business Organizations and Acquisitions, Real Estate Transactions, and Contract Review and Negotiations.

Derek began his legal career working on a wide range of transactional and litigation matters, including trusts and estate planning, business transactions and litigation, general commercial litigation, and commercial and residential real estate transactions and litigation. As time passed, Derek realized his passion lay in the transactional practice areas of trust and estate planning and administration, corporate law, real estate, and other related areas in which he currently serves his individual and business owner clients. Not one to discount his other legal experience, Derek also relies on the skills he learned as a former litigator in developing sound strategies for representing his clients with an eye toward careful legal drafting and assisting clients in anticipating and avoiding disputes.

Derek was raised in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton-Warrenville South High School. In 2017, Derek returned to live in Wheaton with his wife, Jami, and their two children. In his free time, Derek enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exercising, reading, and exploring new music. Derek looks forward to meeting and working with you to accomplish your goals.

Representative Published Works
• Accessing a Deceased Loved One’s E-mail and Other “Digital Assets” (Jan. 30, 2019).
Link: https://www.oakbrookestateplanning.com/articles/accessing-a-deceased-loved-ones-e-mail-and-other-digital-assets
• Derek M. Johnson, Debts, Secret Tax Liens, and Other Estate Traps, Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 106, No. 10 (Oct. 2018).
Link: https://www.oakbrookestateplanning.com/articles/debts-secret-tax-liens-and-other-estate-traps
• Derek M. Johnson, Income Tax Consequences for Probate Estates When Resolving Claims for Less Than the Full Amount,
Illinois State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section Newsletter, Vol. 65, No. 3 (Sept. 2018).
Link: https://www.oakbrookestateplanning.com/articles/income-tax-consequences-of-claims-against-probate-estates
• Kimberly S. Coogan, Carrie M. Buddingh & Derek M. Johnson, To Port . . .Or Not To Port?,
DCBA Brief, Vol. 28, Issue 10 (June 2016)
• Derek M. Johnson, Illinois’ Health Care Agency Laws: A Hierarchical Game Of Who’s On First,   DCBA Brief, Vol. 25, Issue 6 (March 2013)

Education

• Harvard Law School, J.D., 1999
• University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana, M.A. in Comparative Literature, 1996
• Northern Illinois University, B.A. in English and Philosophy, 1993

Associations & Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Kane County Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Elder Counsel

Admissions

• Illinois

Jennifer A. Johnson is a Senior Director with the Firm, concentrating her practice in estate planning, special needs planning, business succession planning, guardianship, estate administration and elder law. She represents individuals and families at all income levels.

Jennifer’s practice involves designing and implementing a custom estate plan for each client. Designing the right plan means choosing the right estate planning tools. Jennifer frequently utilizes irrevocable insurance trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, shareholder agreements, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts, and revocable and irrevocable trusts utilizing generation skipping transfer tax planning. Additionally, Jennifer handles all aspects of guardianship, probate, estate and trust administration, including funding and liquidity issues, estate and gift tax return preparation and succession planning for beneficiaries.

After graduating from law school, Jennifer joined the Milwaukee, Wisconsin office of Quarles & Brady, LLP, where she practiced multi-generational estate and closely held business planning. In 2003, Jennifer became a partner with The Kingsbury Firm, LLC, a boutique estate planning firm serving high net worth families. Looking to give back to the community, Jennifer joined Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. in 2010 as a staff attorney. Prairie State is a non-profit legal services firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors. At Prairie State, Jennifer worked primarily with seniors and those with disabilities, representing many clients in administrative hearings with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Social Security Administration.

Returning to the for-profit sector in 2012, Jennifer joined American Bank and Trust Company, N.A. as a vice president and trust officer. In this role, Jennifer worked with many special needs trusts, as well as traditional trusts for individuals of all income levels.

Jennifer frequently speaks on the topics of special needs planning, estate planning, elder law and Section 529 college savings plans, including presentations at the Kane County Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Annual Wisconsin State Bar Tax School, the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Annual Tax Conference, the Financial Planners Association’s Financial Planning Symposium, and the Association of Women Lawyer’s Luncheon Seminar Series.

Jennifer lives in South Elgin with her family. She spends her free time hiking, kayaking and enjoying time with loved ones.

In October, 2017, Jennifer presented an interactive workshop at the WealthCounsel Symposium 2017, in Hollywood, California, leading a discussion on the topic “Decanting and Friends – Modifying Irrevocable Trusts”. The presentation covered various techniques for modifying irrevocable trusts, with particular emphasis on Decanting and Trust Protector. State law differences were also be discussed, with special emphasis on taxation and asset protection. “Navigating the Transition to Estate Planning”.

Robert E. Jones graduated from Wheaton College in 1971 and then received his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1974. He began his legal career as an associate with the Chicago law firm of what is now Hinshaw & Culbertson. He and Heinz Brisske formed a general practice suburban law firm and became founding members of Greene, Jones & Brisske in 1978, which was active in the legal community in DuPage County for more than 20 years. Bob joined the firm of Huck Bouma, PC, in 1999, where he was not only a shareholder but also the partner in charge of the litigation practice.

Bob had a long and distinguished career as a litigator. He tried numerous cases in DuPage and other collar counties. Always a fierce advocate for his clients, he was an active and respected member of the DuPage County Bar Association, as well as many other legal practice committees and organizations.

Until his death in 2012, Bob was a dedicated husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Lynn, and his children, Jamie and Jay.

Education

• Illinois State University
  B.S. in Finance with Honors,
  minors in Accounting and Economics
• Chicago-Kent College of Law
  J.D., Certificate in Business Law

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association, Member
• Chicago Bar Association, Member
• USA Powerlifting, Member

Admissions

• Illinois

Joseph E. Keavy is a Director in the Business Services practice area, concentrating his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, entity formation, corporate finance, and business transactions.

Experience

Joe represents both buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions, including market entry
acquisitions, strategic add-on acquisitions, sales to public companies and private equity funds, cross-border
transactions, and asset acquisitions and dispositions. In his mergers and acquisitions practice, Joe counsels
clients on the appropriate transaction structure, performing due diligence, and negotiating transaction
documents including the letter of intent, the purchase agreement, confidentiality agreements, employment agreements, and consulting agreements.

In addition, Joe advises lenders and borrowers in commercial lending and financing transactions, including
secured and unsecured credit facilities, real estate and other asset-based loans, SBA and Freddie Mac financing, and loan modifications and work-outs.

Joe also serves as outside general counsel to privately held businesses. He has extensive experience advising
business regarding private placement offerings, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, corporate governance, professional regulation and licensing, trademarks, intellectual property, and business contracts.

William A. Kindorf III, retired, focused his practice on closely held corporations and their owners, with an emphasis on health care providers (physicians, dentists and allied professionals), and other professional service corporations, including accountants, engineers and architects.

Bill also worked extensively with technology and manufacturing concerns and with manufacturers’ representative bringing his depth of experience in business sale and purchase transactions, estate and succession planning and real estate.

Bill achieved an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence. He was also recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by Law Bulletin Publishing Company and was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers®.

Bill resides in Wheaton with his wife, Jane. He has two grown sons living in the Chicago area and enjoys spending time playing golf, biking, relaxing in Naples, Florida, and most of all, hanging out with his three grandchildren.

Education

• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 1974
  J.D. Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1967
  B.S

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association
• 18th Judicial Circuit, DuPage County, Illinois Arbitrator
• Illinois Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Calvin E. Koeppel focuses his practice on general corporate law, commercial transactions, commercial and residential real estate law, real estate development and estate planning, which includes successor planning for his corporate clients.

After more than thirty-five years as a transactional lawyer, Cal merged his suburban law practice with Huck Bouma in 2011.

Cal resides in Illinois and Florida with his wife and enjoys golfing.

Education

• Northern Illinois University College of Law,
  DeKalb, Illinois – 2016
  – Juris Doctorate
• University of Mississippi,
  University, MS
  – B.S. – Criminal Justice (2012)
  — B.A. – Political Science (2012)
  –Minor in English (2013)
  –Chancellor’s Honor Roll

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Sarah W. Kunst is an Associate in the Trusts and Estates and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Sarah comes to us most recently from The Homer Law Firm, where she spent most of her time working on real estate transactions and probate administration.

She grew up in the small town of Middletown, Iowa and found her collegiate home in Ole Miss, in the same region as her birthplace, Memphis, Tennessee.

Sarah graduated from The University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (2012) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in English (2013); she also earned a place on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll while working on her degrees.

She then returned to the Chicagoland area and went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University College of Law in May 2016.

During law school, Sarah participated in mock trial and worked as a law clerk where she performed a plethora of tasks related to family, criminal, and traffic law cases.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys shopping, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. One of Sarah’s greatest joys comes from being a doting dog mom to her pride and joy, Sadie Kay, a lab mix she adopted while completing her undergrad degrees in Oxford, Mississippi.

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois, 2001 J.D., Magna Cum Laude
• Law Journal: The Elder Law Journal, Managing Editor
• Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1997 B.A., Cum Laude

Associations & Memberships

• Selected to SuperLawyers in Employment Law since 2019
• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association; 2014 Chair of Employment Law committee
• Rotary Club of Central DuPage, Board Member, 2014 Rotarian of the Year

Admissions

• Illinois

Brian K. LaFratta, a Senior Director with the Firm, focuses his practice on all areas of employment law, including employment litigation, employment contracts and covenants not to compete, and employment law counseling and compliance issues. In addition, Brian counsels employers on compliance with employment laws, prepares employment and non-compete agreements, drafts employee handbooks, and conducts employment law training. He also represents buyers and sellers with respect to employment law issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions. Brian represents employers in federal and state courts in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, and breach of contract lawsuits. He also represents both employers and employees in non-compete and trade secret litigation, including TRO and preliminary injunction proceedings. He routinely defends employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR).

Following his graduation from the University of Illinois College of Law, Brian began his career in the employment law group of Winston & Strawn. Prior to joining Huck Bouma PC in 2011, he worked at the national employment law firm of Fisher & Phillips.

Brian has been a Wheaton resident since 2002. In his free time, Brian enjoys exercising, reading and spending time with his wife and two very active children.

Speaking Engagements:
Brian speaks on employment law topics for trade groups and business associations.

Bar Admissions:
State of Illinois Bar
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Ira D. Leavitt graduated from DePaul Law School, with a J.D. Degree, Cum Laude, and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1974. Mr. Leavitt, who is also a Certified Public Accountant, worked in the tax department of Arthur Anderson and Company, from 1974 through 1977, with a significant concentration in corporate reorganizations, and tax and estate planning for individuals. In 1978, Mr. Leavitt joined the law firm of Beaubien and Asher in Palatine, Illinois, and became a partner in 1979, where he remained a partner until the firm dissolved in 1988.

Beaubien and Asher was one of the first full-service law firms in the northwest suburbs, and Mr. Leavitt concentrated his practice in areas of business law, commercial law, business acquisitions and divestitures, estate planning and tax planning for businesses and individuals. Since 1988, Mr. Leavitt has functioned as outside general counsels for several large sales and distribution firms, and several large not-for-profit organizations. In addition, Mr. Leavitt has provided significant business and tax support services for litigation attorneys, and has continued to represent clients in the area of business formation, business acquisition and divestitures, estate planning, pension consulting, tax consulting, and all legal aspects of real estate purchases, sales, development,
leasing and mortgages.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law
  Chicago, IL
  Juris Doctor, 2008
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Urbana, IL, 2002
  Mathematics, B.S.

Associations and Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
  Vice Chair – DCBA Tax Law Committee (2021)

Admissions

• Illinois

Bomie K. Leonard is a Director in the Trusts and Estates practice group, focusing her practice on wealth transfer and estate planning, federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax planning, estate and trust administration, and business planning. She counsels individuals and families on a variety of matters, including asset protection, legacy planning, family office structuring, and succession planning.

Bomie has significant experience in the minimization of estate and gift taxes, sophisticated estate planning techniques, the creation and operation of family limited liability companies, planning for closely-held businesses, and charitable giving. From structuring estate plans to family businesses, Bomie works closely with her clients and their advisors to design, implement, and maintain customized structures for her clients that are tailored to clients’ goals.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Bomie worked at a Chicago law firm representing medium- to high-net-worth individuals and families in sophisticated estate, business succession, and family office planning.

In her spare time, Bomie is a volunteer attorney at Prairie State Legal Services. She enjoys playing paddle, practicing yoga, entertaining, and spending time with her family and friends.

Areas of Practice

• Real Estate

Education

• University of Northern Iowa

Gwyn R. Livingston provides paralegal support services for the real estate practice group at Huck Bouma.

In 1997, Gwyn began her career in real estate with her position as a real estate closing specialist at Chicago Title & Trust Company. Gwyn furthered her career at Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., where she worked in the western suburbs as an independent closer for the title agent. After having facilitated so many real estate closings, she has gained extensive experience in preparing title searches, RESPAs and other closing documents.

Gwyn is originally from Northeastern Iowa, and attended the University of Northern Iowa.

Gwyn resides in Winfield. When not at work, she enjoys reading, working out, watching sports and spending time with her family and friends.

Education

• Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, 1995
  Business Administration
• The John Marshall Law School,
  Chicago, Illinois, 2005,
  Juris Doctor

Eric J. Malnar is a Senior Director in the Litigation Department, focusing his practice principally on commercial litigation including foreclosures, workouts and debt restructurings, real estate, and employment practices claims.

Mr. Malnar represents manufacturers, real estate developers, financial institutions, insurance companies, and entrepreneurs in a broad range of matters including breach of contract, complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy, breach of fiduciary duty, franchise litigation, real estate litigation and title insurance disputes, regulatory litigation, shareholder disputes, intellectual property, trademark and copyright, consumer fraud, securities litigation, legal malpractice, class action, and trade secrets litigation.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Eric was a partner at the Chicago law firm of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.

Commercial Litigation:
Mr. Malnar has researched, drafted and successfully argued numerous dispositive motions and has conducted numerous depositions in support of dispositive motions. His experience includes drafting briefs before the Illinois Appellate Court and the Seventh Circuit Appellate Court, and prosecuting high-dollar amount collection matters; in this area, a sample of his experience includes:

• Breach of contract, first chair trial before Cook County Circuit Court.
• Favorable settlement obtained in a multi-million dollar equipment finance case spanning claims for fraud, conversion, and breach of contact.
• Prosecuted a case against a labor union in federal court on behalf of an employer which resulted in a favorable settlement.
• Favorable settlement in mechanics lien matter covering three Illinois counties and 40 different properties.
• Favorable settlement in contested matter before the Illinois EPA.

Bankruptcy Litigation:
Successfully represented numerous defendants in Adversary Proceedings for avoidance and fraudulent transfer claims.

• Second chair trial experience in Adversary Proceeding resulting in dismissal of all claims.
• Successfully argued motions for lifting of automatic stay and objection to dischargeability.
• Represented retiree committees in multiple, large-scale bankruptcies.

Intellectual Property:
Mr. Malnar has successfully prosecuted numerous claims for trademark and copyright violations including:

• Defending a publisher against trademark violations resulting in dismissal of all claims.
• Complaint and temporary restraining order in Texas Federal Court for trademark and copyright violations resulting in favorable settlement.

Employment Law:
Representation of healthcare providers in claims regarding non-compete agreements and tortious interference.

Real Estate Litigation / Title Insurance Services:
Successfully defended homeowners from large claim for fraud and violation of the Illinois Real Estate Disclosure Act.

• Breach of contract case involving large residential real estate resulting in victory for client including possession, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees.
• Successfully represented Title Insurance clients for claims ranging from foreclosure, reformation and equitable subrogation.

Banking and Lending Litigation / Services:
Represented financial institutions with respect to Loss-Share Agreement and Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) law.

• Successfully represented the FDIC in FIRREA litigation via statutory special powers.
• Represented banking clients in all aspects of commercial and residential foreclosure including pre-foreclosure, forbearance, short-sales and workouts.
• Successfully defended banking clients with respect to commercial and statutory consumer claims.

Mr. Malnar has served as an advisor to clients in all aspects of their legal needs outside of litigation, including federal, state and in local regulatory procedures. He has served as quasi-in-house counsel in managing clients’ outside counsel for out of state litigation; he has drafted and negotiated various contracts, equipment leases, licensing agreements, loan documents and settlement agreements toward final disposition, and works closely with title insurance partners in real estate closings.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Eric Malnar worked for five years in the computer technology industry. In addition, he spent ten years moonlighting as a Chicago musician. He recorded two full length albums and has performed countless shows throughout the country.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois: J.D.
• DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Chicago, Illinois: M.B.A.
• Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois: B.A.

Admissions

• Illinois

Michael J. Marshall is a Director with the Firm and a member of the Firm’s corporate practice. Michael has a wide-ranging practice that encompasses business and tax planning, entity formation and governance, contractual agreements, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), reorganizations, and succession planning.

Michael serves as a legal advisor for the Small Business Development Center and is a member of its local advisory board. Michael frequently presents on topics relevant to business owners, including asset protection, tax, intellectual property, deferred compensation, third party financing and security holder relations, and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Michael was a senior consultant with a big four firm in Chicago.

Michael earned a B.A. from Knox College and a J.D. and M.B.A. from DePaul University.

Michael and his family reside in the western suburbs.

Speaking Engagements: Primer on Leading Clients Through Private M&A Transactions , Thursday, October 3, 2019 meeting of the Fox Valley Chapter of the ICPAS.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1991
  Law Review: DePaul University Law Review, Editorial Board
• DePaul University College of Commerce, B.S. in Accounting, 1988
  Honors: Graduated with Highest Honors
  Stanley Scholar
  Strobel Honors Accounting Program

Associations & Memberships

• Certification/Specialties: Certified Public Accountant, 1988
• Selected as an “Leading American Attorney” by the Leading Attorney Network
• Selected as an “Illinois Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics magazine

Admissions

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. Tax Court

Nick Marsico is a businessman who happens to be an attorney, which allows him to provide practical, real-world answers and the ability to translate complex legal issues into business issues that can be more easily evaluated. Nick, a Senior Director with the Firm, focuses his practice on business transactions for small and mid-sized businesses, such as buying and selling businesses, private placement offerings, limited liability company issues, license agreements and other technology issues, and trademark and copyright protection, as well as common transactional matters such as entity formation and structuring, contract drafting, and contract law.

In his mergers and acquisitions practice, Nick counsels clients on the appropriate transaction structure for buying or selling the business, performing due diligence, and negotiating transaction documents including the letter of intent, the purchase agreement, confidentiality agreements, employment agreements, and consulting agreements.

In his trademark practice, Nick conducts trademark searches; files trademark applications; provide opinions as to the availability of a desired mark or the infringement or validity of the mark; prosecutes trademarks before the Patent and Trademark Office; negotiates license agreements; negotiates trademark disputes and consent agreements; and represents clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in actions such as opposition proceedings.

Nick also counsels businesses trying to raise capital from private investors. Typically, these businesses need capital for their business plan, but cannot obtain a traditional bank loan. These businesses typically issue equity or convertible notes to the investors. Raising capital from investors must be done carefully in order comply with federal and state securities laws. Nick counsels clients on the structure of these transactions, which are typically Reg D private placements, drafts the private placement memorandum, and advises on compliance with federal and state securities laws.

Nick also has a tax background and advises on federal and state tax planning matters, tax compliance matters, tax litigation, and Illinois franchise tax matters.

Nick is also Certified Public Accountant and has taught business law classes as an adjunct professor for DePaul University’s CPA Review Program. He has been a speaker at various seminars involving recent developments in limited liability companies, business law, and tax. He is a regular speaker for the National Business Institute on LLC issues. He has been selected as a member of the “Leading American Attorneys” by the Leading Attorney Network (lawlead.com), which is awarded to the top 5% of attorneys. He has been named an “Illinois Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics magazine (superlawyers.com), which is awarded to the top 5% of Illinois attorneys.

Nick joined Huck Bouma in 2007. Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Nick was a partner at the Chicago law firm of Rooks, Pitts and Poust, which later merged into Dykema Gossett PLLC, which is a large national law firm.

Nick lives in Wheaton with his wife, Kelly and their two sons. He enjoys biking and golfing. He actively participates in his sons’ Boy Scouts troop and their other activities. He is a passionate life-long Chicago Blackhawks fan, an optimistic Chicago Bears fan, and a long-suffering Chicago Cubs fan.

Publications:
Current Status of the Series LLC: Illinois Series Improves Upon Delaware Series LLC But Many Open Issues Remain, vol. 9, no. 6, Journal of Passthrough Entities, November-December, 2006
Illinois Series LLC: New Vehicle For Holding Multiple Properties, vol. 10, no. 3, Illinois Real Estate Journal, March, 2007
Will the Series LLC Work For Holding Real Estate?, vol. 22, issue 12, Midwest Real Estate News, December, 2006
Chopping Down the Fruit Tree: Caruth Corp. v. United States Applies Assignment of Income Doctrine to Gift of Stock Between Declaration and Record Dates, v.40, no. 3, DePaul Law Review, Spring, 1991

Speaking Engagements:
Anatomy of the LLC, December, 16 and 17, 2008
Advanced LLC Issues, April 18, 2007
Advanced LLC Issues, December 5, 2006
Limited Liability Company Update in Illinois, September 14, 2005
Operating as a Privately Owned Company in the 21st Century, May 17, 2005
Advanced LLC Issues in Illinois, March 22, 2005
The Ins and Outs of Limited Liability Companies in Illinois, November 12, 2004
Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships in Illinois, October 21, 2003
Tax Aspects of Limited Liability Companies in Illinois, August 23, 2002
Adjunct Professor, Business Law, DePaul University’s CPA Review Program

John P. Martin graduated from the University of Illinois in 1969 and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1972. He began his practice in DuPage County in 1972 and was a founding partner of Huck Bouma, PC with Ralph Bouma in 1980. John represented developers, investors, governmental bodies and institutions in their commercial real estate matters.

John was actively involved with real estate developers and property owners in DuPage and Kane Counties for many years. He chaired the firm’s Real Property Committee and managed Huck Bouma before his retirement. John has been honored with designation by his peers as both an Illinois Super Lawyer and a Leading Lawyer.

John retired from Huck Bouma in 2012. He lives in Geneva with his wife and enjoys golfing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Areas of Practice

• Business Services
• Trusts & Estates – Wealth Transfer & Estate Planning

Education

• Northern Illinois University, 1983

Kathy Martinez has been working at Huck Bouma since its inception. Kathy joined the law firm of Bouma & Martin, P.C. in 1984, when the firm consisted of four attorneys in a small downtown Wheaton office. Kathy is currently a paralegal for the Business Services Practice Group.

She oversees corporate, limited liability company, and limited partnership administration. This includes formation of the entity, annual maintenance via preparation of annual reports, preparing corporate minutes, assisting clients with qualification in other states, obtaining foreign representation, and various other issues that may arise in the operations. She also assists our Trusts & Estates practice group with various transfers of corporate holdings into trusts. As Kathy has been with the firm over thirty years, she has seen many changes and lots of growth.

Kathy has resided in Naperville since 1992. She enjoys dogs, movies, and travel.

Education

• University of  Notre Dame Law School, South Bend, Indiana, 1974
  – J.D.
• St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1969
  – B.A., History

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Rotary Club of Lombard
  –Board Member
  –Director of International Services
• Montini Catholic High School
  – Member, Board of Directors
• Economic Development Committee, Village of Lombard
• Elmhurst Hospital, Board of Governors
• Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce
  Past President

Awards and Recognitions

• Declaration and Recognition of Service,
  entered in U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record, February 5, 2018
• Village of Lombard
  Man of the Year (2001)
  Senior Man of the Year (2017)

Admissions

• Illinois

Dennis J. McNicholas, is a Director in the Trusts & Estates and the Real Estate Departments, focusing his practice principally in the areas of estate planning, probate proceedings, guardianship, real estate and mediation.

Dennis comes to Huck Bouma most recently from the law firm of Dennis J. McNicholas, Ltd. where he had devoted his legal career to Estate Planning, Decedent’s Estates, Guardianship Estates, Elder Law, Elder Mediation, Real Estate, Mediation of Family Disputes and other related areas.

As for me personally, I am married to the love of my life, Karin, for 48 years this year. Karin is a licensed clinical social worker for over 40 years and has dedicated her life to counseling her clients. I do tease her when I say that she still has not been able to diagnose me.

We have three adult children and six grandchildren all of whom live within 40 minutes of our home.

After spending the first four years of my career from 1974-1978 working as a lawyer in downtown Chicago, I decided to start my own practice in the Lombard area so as to be more available to my wife and children. I wanted to be a much more integral part of our children’s activities as they grew up. I have reaped untold benefits from that decision and the bonding with my children and grandchildren that has resulted. I say that young children and grandchildren are like wet cement in which we make impressions that last their entire lives. I dedicated myself to making those impressions the most positive and beneficial as they could be. I now number our three adult children among my best friends.

Armed with the love and support of my nuclear family, extended family, friends and clients, I have tried over the course of my professional career to integrate my passion to serve others into my personal life as an attorney. In that regard, I have

• served as a member of The Board of Governors at Elmhurst Hospital for 17 years;
• served as a Board Member and Director of International Services for The Rotary Club of Lombard which I have belonged to for approximately 35-years.
• served as a past President of The Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce, and The Economic Community Development Committee for the Village of Lombard for over 30-years.
• served as a member of The Montini Catholic High School Board for over 25 years.
• been selected as Man of the Year (2001) and Senior Man of the Year (2017) for the Village of Lombard.
• published a memoir entitled “God Called Collect from Cleveland”, in addition to being the subject of an article in the December 6, 2017 DuPage County Daily Herald entitled “Lombard Man Aims to Make the Most of His Days”.
• been contacted by the Honorable Peter J. Roskam in early 2018 and was presented with a Declaration and Recognition of Service which was read into The Federal Congressional Record on February 5, 2018.

Publications – Books & Articles
“God Called Collect from Cleveland”, McNicholas (2017).

“Lombard Man Aims to Make the Most of His Days”, published in the DuPage County Daily Herald, December 3, 2017.

“Could He Have a More Adventurous Life?”, published in Guideposts Magazine: Living Longer, Living Better; August 24, 2017. https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/health-and-wellness/living-longer-living-better/could-he-have-a-more-adventurous-life and

“Dennis McNicholas on the Benefits of Taking Chances Later in Life”, Guideposts Magazine: Living Longer, Living Better; September, 2017. https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/health-and-wellness/living-longer-living-better/dennis-mcnicholas-on-the-benefits-of

Admissions

• Illinois
• Florida

Timothy S. Midura, C.P.A., J.D., LL.M., is a Director in the Firm, and is a member of the firm’s estate planning group. He chairs the estate administration and also the contested estates and family conflicts groups. Generally, Tim’s practice is oriented to complex estate and trust planning and administration, including disputed and conflicted matters; modifying irrevocable trusts; charitable gift facilitation; and complementary tax, financial matters, and business matters.

Tim is licensed as an attorney in both Illinois and Florida. He is also a registered certified public accountant.

In addition to his Juris Doctor (JD) and CPA credentials, he also has a master’s degree (LL.M.) in taxation. His undergraduate degree double majored in accountancy and finance.

Prior to entering private law practice, Mr. Midura was a member of the tax department of a “big four” public accounting firm.

Tim has numerous published articles to his credit and speaks frequently on topics of estate planning and administration, modifying irrevocable trusts, charitable gift facilitation, quality case management, and related financial and business matters. He has contributed to or been quoted in, among others, Forbes, Chicago Sun Times, The Journal of Gift Planning, and Illinois CPA Society News. Tim is the author of the Estate Planning Primer: What Everyone Needs to Know About Estate Planning, Everyday Mistakes in Estate Planning, and a series of Estate Planning Memoranda, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). Tim also authored the chapter Handling Charitable Bequests and Trusts in IICLE’s Estate Administration book.

Tim has served on behalf of a number of boards of not-for-profit foundations and corporations, including Christian Ministries Foundation (a community foundation), in Georgia, ALM International (an international health organization), in South Carolina, Soli Deo Gloria (an international sacred music production foundation), in Illinois, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision (a nationally recognized provider of professional assistance to people with low vision and their families), in Illinois, the Chicago Council on Planned Giving (an allied professionals group that advances inter-disciplinary planned giving), and for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (Illinois’ premiere continuing legal education provider). He has served on a number of professional committees, including the estate and gift tax planning committee of the Illinois CPA Society and the estate and probate committee of the Chicago Bar Associations.

Tim has a special interest in charitable endeavors and in facilitating charitable giving through estate planning — that meet family goals. He has demonstrated a special talent in handling complex and conflicted estate and trust matters, including estate and trust arbitration and mediation, and making modifications to
irrevocable trusts.

AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM
and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks
used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell®
certification procedures, standards and policies

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law,
  Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois J.D. with honors
• Marquette University,
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, B.A.

Associations & Memberships

• Selected as a leading lawyer in the areas of Secured Transactions Law, Closely & Privately Held Business Law and Real Estate Law: Commercial by the Leading Lawyers Network
• Member, American Bar Association (Sections of Business Law and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Commercial Real Estate Transactions And Management Group; committees on Banking Law, Loan Documentation, Real Estate and Commercial Lending and Commercial Finance)

Admissions

• Illinois

T. Gregory Mieczynski, has been advising business, banking and real estate clients for over twenty-five years on local, regional, and national operations and transactions. Greg has been a part of the Huck Bouma team since 2004 and before that, practiced with firms in Chicago and the western suburbs.

Greg, a senior Director with the Firm, concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and finance.

Greg’s practice includes extensive commercial real estate expertise including construction, acquisitions, leasing and property development. In addition, Greg has worked with entrepreneurs and established companies to assist them with business development and financing, partnering and protecting the value of their business entities. Greg also works with the Firm’s business clients, both lenders and borrowers, to negotiate and document the terms of all manner of credit facilities, including asset-based lending, mortgage-backed lending, taxable and tax-exempt bond financings, and private equity transactions.

Greg lives in the near western suburbs and enjoys many activities away from the office including bicycling, golfing, traveling, cooking and reading.

Areas of Practice

• Business Services
• Real Estate
• Trusts and Estates

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law

James E. Molenaar passed away on Friday, September 1, 2017.

James joined Huck Bouma when his law practice merged with that of Huck Bouma in 2013. Jim’s practice areas involved residential and commercial real estate transactions; estate planning, trusts and probate matters, and corporate law and mechanics’ liens concerns.

Jim had experience negotiating and drafting simple and complex real estate contracts (including new construction), estate plans; and business arrangements. Jim was also familiar with the handling of probate and guardianship matters.

Jim received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois, after which he served two years in the U.S. Army. After completing his military service, he then returned to the University of Illinois, earning his law degree.

Over the years Jim had served in various positions of leadership: President of the Rotary Club of Lansing, Illinois; President of the Lansing Christian School Board, Chairman of the Deacons and as the Vice-President of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church of Lansing, Illinois. He also had served as President of LARC (Lansing Association for Retarded Citizens), as well as a Village Trustee for the Village of Lansing.

Jim was active in various bar associations, and served as president of the South Suburban Bar Association. He was a member of several Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) task forces and had spoken at several Illinois State Bar Association continuing legal education programs. Jim also served as the Chairman
of the General Practice Section Council of the ISBA.

In addition to being on the Board of Directors of Attorney’s Title Guaranty Fund
for over 25 years, Jim served as its Chairman. He had also been a member of the
Board of Directors of ATG Trust Company.

Mary Morrissey is the firm’s office manager and has been working at Huck Bouma since July of 2015. Mary brings over 27 years of administrative experience in Office Management, Human Resources, Accounting and Records and Information Management. She assists in the development and implementation of firm policies and procedures; manages and oversees the administration of HR policies, programs and practices within the firm.

Mary has resided in Naperville since 2004 with her husband and one son, Jack. She enjoys volunteering for the American Cancer Society and is involved with local politics. Mary enjoys spending time in the mountains of Montana and looks forward to her yearly summer visits. She also enjoys watching her son play volleyball and baseball.

Mary is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators and is the President-elect and a charter member of the Naperville Rotary Club After Dark.

Education

• Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, 2020
  Juris Doctor
• Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, 2014
  History & Classical Civilization

Associations & Memberships

• DuPageCounty Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Sarah Muenzer is an Associate in our Estate Planning practice group.  Her practice is focused on estate planning matters, including drafting wills and trusts and advising on both legal and tax issues relating to her clients’ estates.

Ms. Muenzer received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola University Chicago.  She graduated from the undergraduate program cum laude with a double major in History and Classical Civilization.

While at Loyola Law, Sarah graduated cum laude, served as Editor-in-Chief of the Consumer Law Review, was awarded a certificate in Tax Law, served as a student tutor for Contract Law, and participated as a brief writer in the Vis Moot International Arbitration Competition.

Prior to law school, Sarah had a career in sales and marketing at a data and technology company, where she specialized in taking complex concepts and making them understandable and accessible to her clients.

Sarah fosters strong client relationships and trust through her ongoing commitment to honest communication, accessibility, efficiency, and professionalism.

Education

• Case Western Reserve,
  School of Law, J.D.
• American University, B.A.

Associations & Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• United States Tax Court
• Executive Editor, Journal of International Law
• Member, Jessup International Moot Court Team

Admissions

• Illinois

Kimberly A. Nagle, a Senior Director with the Firm, concentrates her practice in commercial business and finance transactions for small and mid-sized businesses. She has substantial experience counseling such businesses on a wide variety of business issues, including, without limitation, formation issues, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, joint ventures, tax planning and controversy issues and other general commercial matters. Ms. Nagle also represents local, regional and national lenders and borrowers in the structuring, negotiating and documentation of commercial and healthcare finance transactions.

Representative Transactions

Represented a manufacturer of flexible plastic liners in the sale of its business to private equity for $75mm.

Represented a title production software company in the sale of its business to a rival software company for $100mm.

Represented a provider of HVACR repair, maintenance and construction services as corporate counsel in their acquisition of similar companies in with transaction sizes ranging in size from $5 million to $17 million dollars. Represented the same company in connection with its sale to a private equity firm for an aggregate purchase price of $47mm.

Represented a management and technology consulting company in the sale of its business to private equity for over $21mm.

Represented a transportation and logistics services company in the sale of its business to a strategic investor for over $5mm.

Represented a food and packaging manufacturer in the strategic sale of its assets to a public company for over $15mm.

Represented an energy company as corporate and finance counsel in its acquisition of a strategic joint venture partner in a transaction of approximately $12mm dollars.

Represented an engineering firm in connection with the acquisition of a rival firm for $8mm.

Represented a travel company in the sale of its assets to a public company for over $9mm.

Represented a manufacturer and fabricator of commercial heating equipment in the sale of its company to a family investment office for over $17mm.

Represented a software engineering firm in the sale of its operations in the US and abroad to a key business partner for over $21mm.

Represented the majority shareholders of a food manufacturer in connection with investments made by strategic partners in excess of $5mm.

Represent a distributor of vehicle products in the sale of its business to a public company for over $5mm.

Represented an ingredient supplier in the sale of its company for over $25mm to a public company and the subsequent liquidation of its ESOP plan.

Represented a lender in connection with a 10 property commercial real estate loan totaling over $50mm.

Represented a lender and administrative agent in a syndicated loan over $100mm involving a commercial business with multiple property locations in 3 different states.

Represented a borrower in the acquisition of financing totaling over $20mm from commercial and mezzanine lenders.

Represent an ESOP borrower in the acquisition of a $50mm revolving loan.

Represented a group of employees in the buy-out of the existing owners of a prototype design firm for consideration of approximately $5mm dollars.

Education

• DePaul University
  College of Law, J.D.
• University of Iowa, B.B.A.
  Certified Public Accountant

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association Member

Admissions

• Illinois

Timothy W. O’Donnell, a Director with the Firm, counsels corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and individual clients on a wide range of business and related tax matters. He has extensive experience in taxable and nontaxable business acquisitions and restructurings, succession planning, capital-raising activities, business structuring and joint venture agreements.
Mr. O’Donnell also has significant experience involving the financing ownership and disposition of business related aircraft, including tax-deferred exchanges and sales and use tax issues.

A frequent lecturer, Mr. O’Donnell speaks on a broad range of topics, including tax-related aspects of mergers and acquisitions and S corporation operations. He is the co-author of ”Operating and Maintaining the S Corporation”, a chapter of an Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education publication on S corporations.

Mr. O’Donnell has been selected by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in Tax Law Business from 2013 to 2016.

Affiliations
Member, Section of Taxation, American Bar Association

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1996 J.D.
  Honors: Highest Honors; Order of the Coif
  Law Review: DePaul University Law Review, Member
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 1993 B.S.
  Honors: With Honors
  Major: Finance

Associations & Memberships

• Midwest Business Brokers Institute
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

David O’Sullivan is an Equity Shareholder at Huck Bouma and Co-Chair of Huck Bouma’s M&A and Corporate Transactional practice groups.

With respect to his M&A practice, Dave has over 20 years of experience leading complex acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, recapitalizations and restructurings in a wide variety of transaction structures (including stock transactions, asset transactions, mergers, Section 338(h)(10) transactions, and tax-deferred equity rollover transactions) and in a wide variety of industries (including manufacturing, distribution, services and technology).

Dave’s practice also includes representing private companies with general corporate matters, such as choice of entity planning and execution (including appropriate ownership arrangements such as operating agreements or shareholder agreements), corporate governance, joint ventures, strategic planning, succession planning and contract negotiation and review. In this role, Dave will very often act as outside general counsel to his corporate clients.

Due to his extensive experience in M&A and general corporate transactions, Dave is known for bringing a practical and solutions-oriented approach to client matters.

Education

• DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
  Paralegal Certificate, 2012
• Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  B.A., Psychology — 12/2019 – Present

Associations and Memberships

• Kane County Bar Association
• Kane County Bar Association, Paralegal committee 2015-2016 Committee Chair

Jeffrey is a Paralegal in the Estate and Trust Administration Group.

Most recently, Jeffrey served as the Probate Administrator with the Kane County 16th Judicial Circuit, Geneva, IL, where he coordinated with attorneys, judge(s), pro-se individuals and Circuit Clerk’s Office in the oversight, establishment of and guidance pertaining to decedent estates and guardianships. He also helped organize the scheduling and handling of all probate and guardianship cases for Kane County.

Jeff lives in DeKalb County with his two dogs and enjoys woodworking, traveling, cooking and home-brewing.

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law,
  Juris Doctor, cum laude
• Elmhurst University
  BA Psychology, summa cum laude

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Du Page County Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois
• US District Court, Northern District, Illinois

Alexandra Prejzner is an Associate attorney in Huck Bouma’s litigation practice group. Alexandra represents businesses and individuals on a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Alexandra has experience in cases involving real estate, including evictions, partition actions, lease disputes, and easement related matters. Alexandra also handles cases regarding breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, probate and trust disputes, disputes among shareholders, and other commercial litigation matters.

As a point of interest, Alexandra is an adjunct professor at Elmhurst University and teaches mock trial for undergraduate students. She also enjoys coaching students in undergraduate and law school moot court programs.

Areas of Practice

• Trusts & Estates

Education

• MacCormac College, Chicago, Illinois, 2004
  Associate of Science, Paralegal Studies (ABA approved)

Associations and Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
  

Marc Ramagnano is a Paralegal in the Trusts and Estate Administration group.

Marc specializes in the drafting of trust documentation, including those regarding trust funding, administration, estate planning, probate estates, and various types of asset titling.

Marc received his Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from MacCormac College in 2004.  Marc is an avid sports card collector and huge Roberto Clemente fan.  In his free time, he enjoys watching as many soccer matches as he can and hanging out with his friends.

Areas of Practice

• Trusts and Estates

1. Trust and Estate Administration
2. Gift, Estate and Fiduciary Taxation
3. Special Needs Planning and Guardianship

• Elder Law

1. Wealth Transfer & Estate Planning

• Business Services

1. Entity Planning and Formation
2. Taxation
3. Contract Services

• Real Estate

1. Commercial

• Employment Law

1. Employment Law Counseling

• Mergers & Acquisitions

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Kent College of Law, J.D.
• Northeastern Illinois University, B.A.

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Member Illinois State Bar
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Kane County Bar Association

Ron Rasmussen, retired, specialized in advising individuals, families and closely held businesses on tax savings strategies. Ron’s primary focus was sophisticated estate planning involving Federal Estate and Gift Tax reduction or avoidance. Ron used established traditional as well as cutting edge techniques to save tax dollars for his clients. Ron’s practice also included the administration of decedent’s estates and trust administration.

Ron was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 10, 1947. He attended Western Illinois University in 1965-1966 and received a BA Degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1968. Ron served in the United States Army in 1969-1970, which included a year of service in Vietnam. He attended Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Kent College of Law from 1971 to 1974 where he was a member of the law review. Ron graduated in 1974 as class valedictorian.

Ron has been awarded an AV rating, the highest rating provided by Martindale-Hubbell. The AV rating signifies that Mr. Rasmussen’s legal abilities and professional ethics meet the very highest standards.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.”

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois – J.D. – 1974
• Northwestern University Technological Institute, Evanston, Illinois – B.S.E.E. – 1969

Associations & Memberships

• Kane County Bar Association, Member, 1981 – Present
• Chicago Bar Association, Land Trusts, Real Property and Antitrust Subcommittee, Past Member, 1978 – Present
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member, 1978 – Present
• Kane County Bar Association Commercial Real Estate Law Subcommittee, Chairperson
• Home Builders of the Greater Fox Valley, 1987 – 1990

Fraternities/Sororities

• Alpha Delta Phi

Admissions

• Illinois, 1974
  U.S. Federal Court, 1974

JOHN E. REGAN graduated from Northwestern University Technological Institute with a B.S.E.E. degree and from Loyola University School of Law with a J.D. degree.

He was admitted to practice in 1974 and is a partner with the firm. Mr. Regan concentrates in commercial, industrial and residential development real estate law, including annexations, planned developments, construction and land development contract matters and zoning and subdivision entitlements. He also counsels governmental bodies with regard to general corporate matters, finance and tax matters. Other areas of practice concentration include corporate and commercial law, estate planning, trust and probate practice. John’s prior experience includes serving for 23 years as East Dundee village attorney.

Representative clients have included Villages of East and West Dundee, Dundee Township Park District, Elgin Community College District 509, Sunset Logistics, State Oil Company, Nexamp, Inc. Solar Energy Solutions, Boston, Mass., National Shopping Plazas, Eric J. Fernandez & Co. accounting, Chemtech Plastics and HiLine Utility Supply.

He is a member of the Kane County Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. He is also involved in various civic organizations including currently serving as Board Chairman of the Golden Corridor Family YMCA and member of the Elgin Heritage Commission and Rotary Club of Elgin.

Prior to the joinder of Huck Bouma PC, John was a partner at Early, Tousey, Regan, Wlodek & Wong, LLP and its predecessor firms of which he was a founding member. He is a frequent speaker at Kane County Bar Association continuing legal education seminars on various business and real estate topics.

John lives in Elgin with his wife Flicka. He has three grown children and three grandchildren. John Has a lifelong passion for the sport of sailing and has participated in one design and offshore racing for over 45 years.

Education

• Lake Forest College
• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Robert L. Renfro, a Director with the Firm, has been an attorney with Huck Bouma for over 30 years and concentrates his practice in both the commercial and residential real estate markets.

As a member of the Huck Bouma Real Estate Practice Group, he has extensive experience in purchase and sale transactions as well as office, retail and industrial leasing.

Rob has represented clients in a wide variety of real estate matters, whether it involves assisting a client in securing a “mom and pop” retail lease in downtown Glen Ellyn or negotiating an office lease in the Willis Tower. Rob has also advised condominium boards in association matters and has assisted property owners in matters of finance and title.

He routinely works with the firm’s estate planning group and often called upon to assist in the administration of wills and trusts.

Rob is a graduate of Lake Forest College, having transferred there following his freshman year at Iowa State University. He received his law degree at John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

Rob is a virtual life-long resident of Glen Ellyn and has served as a Village of Glen Ellyn Trustee, President and Ambassador of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Glen Ellyn Architectural Review Commission. Rob is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage.

He and his wife Viki, and daughter Rachel, continue to reside in Glen Ellyn.

Education

• Loyola University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  – Juris Doctorate (2013)
• Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
  – B.A., Cum laude – Psychology (2004)

Associations & Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
  • Trusts and Estates Section Council, Member 2014-2017
• DuPage Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Awards and Recognitions

• The Loyola University International Law Review
  • Associate Editor
• Loyola Honors at Entrance Scholarship

Admissions

• Illinois
• Illinois Supreme Court – 2013
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – 2011

Kathryn C. Rolewick is a Director in the Trusts and Estates Practice Area, focusing her practice primarily on advising individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning objectives and asset protection strategies.

Kathryn counsels multiple generations of family business owners on wealth transfers, succession planning, and corporate planning. Kathryn plans for income tax, federal estate tax, state estate tax, gift tax and generation skipping tax consequences, utilizing LLCs, revocable trusts and a variety of irrevocable trusts.

From simple wills and trusts to complex plans, Kathryn enjoys advising a variety of clients on the tools available to preserve, grow, and pass on their wealth. Kathryn also represents her clients in trust and estate administration, probate, business formation, corporate maintenance, and real estate.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Kathryn was an associate at the Wheaton law firm of Rolewick & Gutzke P.C., the firm founded by her father, David Rolewick. Before transitioning to private practice, Kathryn worked in high net worth trust administration at U.S. Trust, now Bank of America Private Bank.

Kathryn lives in the western suburbs with her husband and two sons. Kathryn enjoys traveling, photography, and outdoor activities, especially running.

Education

• Northwestern University School of Law –
  Chicago, IL
  -LL.M. in Taxation (Masters in Tax Law)
• Valparaiso School of Law – Valparaiso, IN
  -Juris Doctor
• University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign –
  Champaign, IL
  -Bachelor of Science: Accounting
  -University of Illinois Football (1996)

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois CPA Society
• Fox Valley Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society
  -President, 2018- Present
• DuPage County Bar Association
  -Treasurer, 2019-Present

Certifications

• Licensed Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker

Awards

• DuPage County Bar Association
  -2021 Lawyer of the Year
  -2020 Directors’ Award
• Illinois CPA Society
  -2018 Distinguished Service Award

Admissions

• Illinois

Aaron E. Ruswick is a Shareholder of Huck Bouma PC with a practice focusing on business services, mergers and acquisitions; and trusts and estates. Such matters include business planning; tax and transactional matters; private letter rulings with the IRS; estate and gift strategies/planning; business succession planning; business disputes; and general contractual matters.

Work History
Huck Bouma PC
Shareholder 2006-Present, Wheaton, IL

Corporate Practice Group

• Prepares shareholder, operating agreements, and partnership agreements for clients in order to provide succession planning, taxplanning, restrictions on transfer, buyout provisions, restrictive covenants, and income allocations.
• Represents individuals and closely-held businesses in business planning and commercial transactional matters such as choice of entity analysis, negotiating and drafting commercial transactions, mergers, reorganizations, buying and selling, and other contractual
  matters.
• Drafts employee benefit plans including phantom stock plans, stock appreciation rights plans, restricted stock plans, and stock option plans.
• Built largest non-equity practice in the firm with creative marketing and cross selling techniques.

Estate Planning Practice Group

• Creates estate plans for high net worth individuals and families, with an emphasis on business owners, in order to transfer wealth down to lower generations.
• Prepares wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts (including defective grantor trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, and other types of trusts
• Prepares family settlement agreements and decanting of trusts for inventive solutions.
• Gift planning and creative allocation of generation skipping tax exemption.
• Retirement benefit planning to maximize the stretch and split with IRA’s.
• Prepares and files 706 and 709 tax returns.

KPMG LLP, Chicago, IL
Senior Tax Associate, International Corporate Services

• Technical corporate tax planning for multinational corporations.

Speaking Engagements:

2022

• Illinois CPA Society – Advanced Topics in Flow-Through Taxation Conference
  “Estate Tax Planning for S-Corporations and Partnerships”

2021

• Wealth Counsel Illinois Forum – Residency Planning for Individuals and Businesses
• Webinar on Pending Tax Changes: What Clients and Advisors Should Consider in Planning

2020

• Wealth Counsel Illinois Forum Symposium – Succession Planning Alternatives for Law Practices
• Webinar on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

2019

• Webinar on Estate Planning Updates
• Webinar on Income Tax Updates
• IL CPA Society, Fox Valley Chapter Primer on Leading
  Clients Through Private M&A Transactions

2018

• Webinar on Estate Planning Updates
• Webinar on Income Tax Updates
• Fox Valley Estate Planning Council – Updates in Tax Law after the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act

2016

• WealthCounsel Symposium 2016, Washington, D.C. – Succession Planning for the Small Law Firm/Sole Practitioner
• WealthCounsel Illinois Forum Symposium – Succession Planning for the Small Law Firm/Sole Practitioner
• IL CPA Society, Fox Valley Chapter – Advanced Estate Planning & Proposed Regulations under Section 2704

Aaron was recently named Lawyer of the Year for 2021 by the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) and serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the DCBA. Aaron is also the President of the Fox Valley Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society, where he organizes more than a dozen continuing education seminars and events annually for more than 4,000 CPAs, lawyers and other professionals.

Education

• University of Illinois, Urbana, College of Law, J.D. with Honors in 1981
• University of Illinois, College of Commerce and Business Administration, B.S. in Finance with High Honors in 1978

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• DuPage Association of Women Lawyers

Admissions

• Illinois

Kathleen Richards Ryding joined Huck Bouma, PC in 1999 and is a director with the firm. Kathy is a trial attorney and focuses her practice on business litigation, contested estates, trust litigation and contested guardianships.

Since joining Huck Bouma, Kathy has engaged in business litigation, as well as estate and trust litigation, including cases involving breaches of fiduciary duties by administrators and trustees, such as failure to timely administer estates and trusts, failure to timely and properly account; conversion of assets and related issues. Kathy also handles contested guardianships involving the elderly, disabled and minors.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Kathy practiced law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago where she engaged in business litigation, including breach of contract disputes, covenant not to compete litigation, accounting and legal malpractice claims, partnership disputes and various disputes encountered by business entities.

Kathy spent seven years at the University of Illinois, Urbana and earned a J.D. with Honors from the College of Law, as well as a B.S. in Finance with High Honors from the College of Commerce and Business Administration. She is a loyal and long-suffering Illini fan who enjoys attending football, basketball and volleyball games with friends and family.

Kathy resides in Naperville, and enjoys traveling, exercising, reading and spending time with her two children, Stephanie Ryding Zobac and Greg Ryding, and their extended families.

Education

• Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
  – Juris Doctor
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
  – Masters of Science, Taxation (magna cum laude)
• University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
  – Bachelors of Science, Accounting (cum laude)

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Abid Sabzali is an Associate in the Estate Planning and Business Services practice areas, focusing his practice principally on advising individuals and families on estate planning objectives and asset protection strategies, in addition to handling matters involving business services.

Abid received his law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law, magna cum laude. He also holds a Masters of Science Degree in Taxation from Northern Illinois University, magna cum laude, and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, cum laude.

Prior to shifting his focus to law, Abid served as Comptroller for various private management companies. In this role, he helped: foster expansion; maintained financial records; and assisted general counsel in navigating through various legal issues.

Having now been on both ends of the attorney/client relationship, Abid hopes to bring his diverse background to build and maintain strong client relationships.

Education

• Northern Illinois University, Juris Doctor (Law Degree) – – magna cum laude
• Knox College, English Literature (BA) – – cum laude

Associations & Memberships

• Aurora Downtown Board, Board Member & Committee Chair
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, UnProgram Planning Committee
• Illinois Continuity of Care Association
• DuPage County Bar Association

Awards

• 2016, 2017 and 2018 Emerging Lawyer – Leading Lawyers
• 2010 and 2011 Illinois Rising Star – Super Lawyers
• AVVO Rated – Top Attorney

Accreditations

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Accredited Attorney

Admissions

• Illinois

Gina is a Director with the Firm, with 15 years of experience focusing on assisting families who are facing current or future long term care issues and developing a plan to access care and protect assets. Additionally, Gina works with all types of individuals to discuss and develop detailed and customized estate plans, including Special Needs Trusts for disabled children and adults.

Gina serves as an Executive Board Member and committee chair of Aurora Downtown where she works on beautifying the downtown area, organizing special events and attracting and supporting businesses in the downtown.

Prior to coming to Huck Bouma PC, Gina worked as an attorney at Law ElderLaw LLP.

Gina enjoys travel, biking and art and is active in her local artist community. Gina lives in Aurora with her husband Shaun Callahan whom she met in law school.

Gina is happy to serve as an elder law attorney at Huck Bouma PC, and gives everyone a warm welcome and a cheery smile.

Publications:

• “Watch Your Mailbox: Your Health Insurance May be Terminated: A Guide to the New Managed Care Program for Illinois Healthcare Participants,” Published in the Kane County Bar Association Bar Briefs (2014) and the Illinois State Bar Association Elder Law Newsletter (2014)
• “Personal Care Contracts: A Necessary Evil for Illinois Families,” DuPage County Bar Briefs (2013)
• ”The Top 6 Things You and Your Family Need to Know About Elder Law”, blog appearing in Common Financial Sense, Cross Point Wealth. September 25, 2019.
• “Bring Big Changes to the Veterans Benefits Process”, article appearing in Seniors BlueBook Fall-Winter 2020 issue (p.39).

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana; Juris Doctor, 2010
• DePaul University, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
  Master of Science in Accountancy 2017

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
  Vice Chair – DCBA Tax Law Committee (2020)
  Chair – DCBA Tax Law Committee (2021)

Admissions

• Illinois

Matthew Schroeder is a Director in the Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning practice area focusing his practice principally on advising individuals and families on estate planning objectives that range from simple to sophisticated, centering around various types of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and living wills. Matthew also has experience in assisting individuals and trusts with various federal and state tax-related matters.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Matthew worked at law firms located in Chicago and Hinsdale.

Matthew is involved in the local and Chicago communities through organizations such as DuPage County Estate Planning Council, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Big Shoulders Fund.

Matthew lives in La Grange Park. In his free time, Matthew enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Ashley, and his two sons, Henry and Harrison.

Education

• New York University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2008)
• The John Marshall Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 2013)

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Constitutional Rights Foundation “Lawyers in the Classroom,” participant
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member
• Chicago Bar Association, Member

Honors & Awards

• Selected to the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Illinois Rising Star list by Super Lawyers Magazine
• CALI award, Constitutional Law I
• CALI award, Civil Procedure I
• CALI award, Civil Procedure II
• CALI award, Criminal Procedure: Police Investigation
• CALI award, Bankruptcy Law
• CALI award, Securities Regulation
• Distinguished Scholar Award, The John Marshall Law School (three-year tuition scholarship recipient)
• Herzog Scholar Award
• John N. Jewett Award for Highest Grades in the First Year
• Order of John Marshall

Admissions

• Illinois

Krista A. Smith, a Director with the Firm, concentrates her practice at Huck Bouma, PC in the area of Corporate law, representing middle market companies, individual business owners, and multi-national corporations. She assists with the formation and general legal issues of business organizations; the purchase or sale of companies; mergers and acquisitions; divestitures and restructurings; commercial contracting; and a wide variety of other transactional matters. Ms. Smith regularly advises clients and negotiates and drafts various transactional documents such as asset purchase or stock purchase agreements, operating agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, customer or supplier contracts, vendor agreements, and corporate governance documents.
Ms. Smith joined the firm in 2018 and previously practiced with a downtown Chicago law firm. She earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from New York University in 2008, where she majored in Anthropology (Honors), and was awarded her J.D., summa cum laude, from The John Marshall Law School in 2013, where she served as a Staff Editor for The John Marshall Law Review and was on the Executive Board for the Corporate Law Association.

Areas of Practice

• Elder Law
• Special Needs Planning & Guardianship
• Trusts & Estates

Education

• Winona State University, Winona, MN, 1991
  B.S., Four-Year Paralegal Program (ABA approved)

Cindy A. Smith is a paralegal in the estate and trust administration group. She began her career in 1991 working for a sole practitioner focusing in the area of domestic relations and litigation. Since then she has worked for a large downtown firm in commercial litigation and then made the transition to a small suburban firm where she began to focus on estate planning and estate administration. Her move to Huck Bouma in 2008 was to expand her experience relative to complex estate and trust administration. Cindy’s main focus is to assist the attorney and work closely with families at a difficult time to ensure the administration process is smooth, timely, and upholds the wishes of the estate plan executed by the decedent.

Education

• University of Iowa, College of Law, J.D. (with distinction)
• Iowa State University, B.S.
  (Major in History, 1985)

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Member Illinois State Bar

Associations

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Kane County Bar Association
• Phi Alpha Theta (academic honorary fraternity for scholarship in the field of history)

Keith A. Spong (retired) practiced all areas of commercial and residential real estate law as well as general business and tax matters ancillary to real estate issues. Keith’s experience includes complex commercial sales and acquisitions involving industrial properties, shopping center properties, farms and multi-family properties, including the structuring of Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges in connection with such real estate transactions.

Keith has extensive experience in commercial leasing, representing both landlords and tenants, including frequent involvement with various shopping center leases. He further represented builders and developers in condominium projects, including the drafting of condominium declarations and establishment of the related association structures for such projects. In addition, Keith has documented numerous loan transactions involving real estate and non-real estate loans and he also has experience in corporate mergers and acquisitions, both involving real estate and otherwise.

Prior to the joinder of Huck Bouma PC and Brady & Jensen, LLP in 2017, Keith was a partner at Brady & Jensen, LLP, where he spent most of his 30 plus years in private practice. He has spoken several times at continuing legal education seminars on various real estate topics.

Keith lives in St. Charles with his wife, Kelly. He is a passionate international and adventure traveler/high-altitude trekker as well as a student of history, which is a lifelong interest.

Education

• University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas, 1969
  JD
• The University of Kansas, 1971
  M.B.A.
• University of Kansas, 1964
  B.A., Major: Economics

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Village of Glen Ellyn, 1998 – 2003 Trustee
• Village of Glen Ellyn, Plan Commission Vice Chair
• University of Kansas Law School
  Board of Governors (2020-2024)
  Member: KU Chancellor’s Club
  Alumni Assn President’s Club

Admissions

• Illinois

Jay B. Strayer focuses his legal practice on corporate and commercial law, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions. Jay also counsels individuals and business owners in their estate planning, probate, and commercial real estate transactional needs.
Jay was a principal in the law firm of Fewkes Wentz & Strayer in Naperville, Illinois until his firm merged with Huck Bouma in 2007. Prior to entering the private practice of law, Jay was Assistant General Counsel of McGraw-Edison Company, where he directed the activities of the corporate legal staff. Jay was also General Counsel and Secretary of Atcor, Inc., a publicly traded manufacturer and distributor of steel conduit pipe and related products. Jay was also Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of The Jepson Corporation, a diversified holding company that operated ten manufacturing subsidiaries.

Jay is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve Officer (Commander), specializing in defense logistics and contract administration, and served as Commanding Officer of two Naval Reserve Units. He has served his community as a trustee of the Village of Glen Ellyn from 1998-2003, and currently is Vice Chair of the Plan Commission. Jay and his family are longtime residents of Glen Ellyn.

Beginning in 2020, Jay has been appointed to a four year term on the Board of Governors of the University of Kansas Law School.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois: LLM in Taxation
• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois: J.D.
• University of Illinois, Urbana: B.A. in Finance

Associations & Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association, Tax Committee: Chairman 2009-2010, 2012-2013 Vice Chairman 2008-2009, 2011-2012
• American Bar Association
• Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries Member

Admissions

• Illinois

William J. Strons joined Huck Bouma, PC in 2002 and has served as the Firm’s Managing Shareholder since 2012. Bill also currently serves as Co-Chair of Huck Bouma’s M&A and Corporate Transactional practice groups.

With over 25 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, Bill uses this wealth of knowledge to efficiently evaluate complex business transactions in a manner best suited for the client. Bill has extensive experience in working with both buyers and sellers from various industries in the structuring, implementation, and financing of transactions. In this capacity, Bill has aided clients in:

• Designing and implementing strategies
• Drafting and reviewing Letters of Intent
• Structuring, negotiating, and managing business transactions
• Counseling on the tax structure of raising capital
• Drafting and reviewing buy-sell agreements

Over the course of his practice, Bill has assisted clients with complex asset and stock acquisitions and divestitures, tax-free reorganizations and restructuring, joint venture agreements, tax-deferred equity rollover transactions, and private placement offerings.

Bill also represents a variety of closely-held businesses in all aspects of their corporate and tax planning matters. With a strong tax background, Bill advises clients on succession planning, federal and state tax planning, compliance, governance, and employment contracts.

Bill is a frequent speaker for a variety of industry organizations, including the Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries group, the DuPage Bar Association and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Entrepreneurial Roundtable.  Bill is a past chair of the DuPage Bar Association’s Tax Law Committee and has presented topics such as tax strategies in selling the closely-held business, legal due diligence in the M&A transaction, and key terms of a letter of intent.

Bill lives in Naperville with his wife. He is a Chicago sports enthusiast and also enjoys golfing and fishing.

Education

• IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law, J. D. with distinction, 1973
  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, B.A., English Literature

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
  Member – Real Estate Law Section Council (Chairman 1993-94)
  Chair – Real Estate Law Section Council, 2022-2023
• DuPage County Bar Association
  Member, Section Council, Business Law and Practice Section
• Chicago Bar Association
  Board of Managers (1983-85)
  Chairman, Young Lawyers Section (1982-83)
  Member and former Chairman, Herman Kogan Media Awards Committee
• American Bar Association
• Chicago Mortgage Attorneys Association

Admissions

• State of Illinois
  U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• State of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

BRUNO W. TABIS, JR. joined Huck Bouma in 2018, after previously practicing in Chicago for nearly 40 years. Bruno serves as general counsel for closely held businesses, concentrating on the formation and maintenance of corporations and LLCs, mergers and acquisitions, employment matters, contract negotiations and UCC issues, as well as consulting and advising the principals on general business matters.

His commercial real estate practice includes purchases and sales, condominium development and conversions, project development and construction contracting, leasing, property management and environmental compliance, permitting and remediation.

Bruno counsels business owners and individuals on estate and succession planning, preparation of Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney, and is experienced in probate proceedings and trust and estate management and administration.
He also practices in the areas of financial institutions and finance, representing both banks and borrowers in loan documentation, mortgage and real estate financing, UCC financing, workouts, forbearances, renegotiations and commercial short sales.

Currently residing in the Stonebridge area of Aurora, Bruno had lived in Wheaton for 35 years, where he continues to be active in the community. He was a founding member and on the original board of directors for the New 200 Foundation and was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served as President. His wife, Stacie Pierce, teaches English at Wheaton-Warrenville South High School.

Bruno has been rated AV “Preeminent”by Martindale-Hubbell and named to Chicago’s Top Rated Lawyers.

Bruno is an accomplished technical, deep wreck SCUBA diver. He has explored numerous Lake Michigan shipwrecks, including the 370 foot deep Carl D. Bradley, a Great Lakes freighter and Edmund Fitzgerald look-alike which also broke up in a November storm.

Speaking Engagements/Presentations

• DuPage County Bar Association, Business Law MCLE Meeting, “Common Provisions Affecting Transferability of Ownership Interests in Closely Held Corporations and LLCs,” May 14, 2019.
• Illinois State Bar Association “Legislative Update,” Real Estate Law Update 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 “Listing Agreements/Engagement Letters/Disclosure Forms,” Residential Real Estate Transactions from Listing to Closing, 2015
• Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education “Estate Planning with Real Estate”; 11th Annual Real Estate Short Course, 2015 “Statutory Update”; 10th Annual Real Estate Short Course, 2014
• DuPage County Bar Association “Hot TODIs and Other Real Estate Cures,” Joint Presentation of Estate Planning and Probate Law and Practice Real Estate Law and Practice Sections, 2014
• West Suburban Illini Alumni Association “Legal Considerations in Business Entity Formation and Maintenance,” 2014
• LORMAN Education Seminars-CLE presenter on finance, title insurance, survey, environmental and real estate matters at multiple seminars.
• Omni Juris Banking Seminar, Annecy, France 1998-presenter Impact of Environmental Law on American Banks.
• Chicago Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association and other organizations -Presenter on environmental, bank lending and real estate matters at multiple seminars.
• Instructor, IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law, Real Estate Document Drafting (1978-79).

Publications

• “Illinois Totten Trust: The Rights of Legal Representative of a Beneficiary Who Predeceases the Trustee”, Chicago- Kent Law Review: Vol 48, Iss. 1, reviewed in American Bar Association Journal , vol. 58, August, 1972, p. 876
• ”Totten Trusts Tottering in Illinois” resulting in statutory revision of statute, now incorporated into “Illinois Trust and Payable on Death Accounts Act”, 205 ILCS 625/1 et seq.
• “Illinois Conservator’s Right to Invade Joint Savings Account”
• Chicago- Kent Law Review, vol. 48, Iss. 2, most recently cited by Wisconsin Supreme Court in Johnnie Russ vs. Elliott Russ(2007), 2007 WI 83, 302 Wisc 2d 264, 734 N.W. 2d 874

Community Service

• Wheaton Lions Club .NEW 200 Foundation (now Student Excellence Foundation), founding member and original board member
• St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheaton, Illinois
• Coordinated Advice and Referral Programs for Legal Services (CARPLS), Chicago, Illinois Advisory Board Founding member, original board of directors

Education

• Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, IL
  Juris Doctor, May 2020
• University of Texas at Dallas
  BA Political Science, 2017

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Du Page County Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

William Tresch is an Associate in the Business Services practice area, focusing his practice principally on issues that arise throughout the life span of a business, from its initial organization to growth issues such as contractual agreements, and employment matters, through ongoing transactions of a mature enterprise such as tax planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, and financial problems. He has focused increasingly on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the transition to the next generation of owners.

William received his law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law where he worked in the Bluhm Legal Clinic Center for Investor Protection and Complex Civil Litigation. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from University of Texas at Dallas where he was selected to join the Bill Archer Fellowship Program. 

Education

• Loyola University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  – Juris Doctorate
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
  – B.A. – Economics

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Loyola University Chicago Low-Income Tax Clinic
• Tabor Hills Senior Living Campus
  • Member, Board of Directors (2017-Present)

Admissions

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Aaron T. Troy is a Director in the Trusts and Estates Practice Area, focusing his practice primarily on advising individuals and families on estate planning objectives and asset protection strategies.

Aaron believes estate planning is far more “art” than “science,” and evaluates his clients’ goals from a wide range of perspectives. He annually prepares federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax returns, as well as federal and Illinois estate tax returns. Aaron also represents executors and trustees in complex estate and trust administration matters, including estate and trust litigation.

Aaron also assists clients in applying for guardianship for minors and adults with disabilities. In DuPage County, Aaron has been court-appointed to serve as counsel for minors and adults with disabilities in guardianship cases.

Aaron is a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of Tabor Hills Health Care Facility, a senior living campus in Naperville that U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks as one of the top senior living facilities in the United States.

Aaron lives in Winfield with his wife and their young twins.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Aaron was an associate at the Wheaton law firm of Rolewick & Gutzke P.C.

Publications

Beneficiaries Beware: Enforceability of Spendthrift Clauses in Bankruptcy after In re: Castellano
Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Section Council Newsletter, Vol. 61 · May 1, 2015

Preserving the Practice: Estate Planning Pitfalls for Owners of a Professional Services Firm Co-Authored with David F. Rolewick, Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C.
• Trusts and Estates Section Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association · May 1, 2012

Education

• Loyola University Chicago, B.A., 1971
• John Marshall Law School, J.D., 1976

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• State Bar of Arizona
• Illinois
• Arizona

Joseph W. Tully has been an attorney for over 40 years, and is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Arizona. In 2015, his law practice merged with that of Huck Bouma.

His practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and business services. By employing proven and effective techniques, Joe enables his estate planning clients to minimize taxation and avoid the costs and delays associated with probate.
Joe is counsel to many small business entities. He advises business owners on tax and other matters. He provides advice on business succession planning.

Joe and his wife, Karen Sakash PhD, reside in Chicago and also spend time at their residence in Cochise County, Arizona. They are the proud parents of three adult daughters: Elisabeth, Katherine and Sarah.

Joe enjoys fishing, golf, poker and riding his all-terrain vehicle.

Education

• Illinois Institute of Chicago, Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D.
• De Paul University, B.S. (Accountancy, Political Science)

Associations & Memberships

• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Jenna N. Wadulak is a Director in Huck Bouma’s litigation department. Jenna’s practice involves representing individuals and businesses on a variety of complex civil and commercial litigation matters. Jenna has extensive experience representing individuals and public and private business entities in litigation and dispute resolution in various contexts, including personal injury, construction accidents, premises liability, products liability, and property damage. Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Jenna practiced in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, and subrogation.

Jenna attended DePaul University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting and political science. She received her Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Jenna was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, and currently resides in DuPage County with her family. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, exercising, and traveling.

Areas of Practice

• Business Services
• Mergers & Acquisitions

Education

• University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, J.D., 1970
  – Honors: Cum Laude
  – Honors: Outstanding Editor of the Law Review
• University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business (now Chicago Booth), Executive Program, M.B.A., 1988
• Brown University, A.B., 1967

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• MBBI (Board of Directors)
• Business Executive Exchange of Naperville (Past President, Treasurer)

William H. Wentz’s practice focuses on privately-held companies – from start-up organizations to mature, established companies – in a wide range of industries. Bill is particularly knowledgeable and experienced in counseling clients on the appropriate transactional structure relating to the acquisition or sale of a business. Bill also regularly advises his business clients with license agreements and other technology issues, employment retention and incentive matters, and other commercial matters. Finally, Bill is experienced in structuring domestic and international joint ventures and partnerships.

For the past two decades, Bill’s primary interest has been privately-held businesses. Bill founded the Entrepreneurial Roundtable for the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business in 1991 and served as its chief Coordinator until 2013. He was also one of the founders of the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries (MBBI), the leading organization of professionals in the Midwest concerned with mergers and acquisitions.

Early in his legal career, Bill served as Associate General Counsel of the Civil Aeronautics Board, in charge of the Board’s litigation and enforcement during airline deregulation. Prior to the CAB, he was an attorney-advisor to two Chairmen of the Federal Trade Commission.

Bill resides in Naperville with his wife. He enjoys traveling and recently spent time in Asia.

“AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.”

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law
  Juris Doctor, 2001
• Loyola University Chicago
  B.A. cum laude, 1998

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois

Alison J. Wetzel is an experienced transactional attorney in the firm’s Business Services practice group. Over the course of her career, Alison has acted as a trusted legal advisor to privately-held businesses across diverse industries, providing practical solutions and risk-balanced advice on day-to-day legal and business issues.

In her practice, Alison handles a wide variety of business transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, commercial contracts, business planning and commercial financing transactions. She is skilled at drafting and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial contracts, including manufacturing, supply, vendor, distributor, non-disclosure, licensing, information technology, construction, engineering services, consulting, professional services and master services agreements.

Alison is also experienced in representing buyers and sellers in acquisition and divestiture transactions, including conducting due diligence, negotiating and drafting purchase agreements and other transaction documents, and assisting with business transition matters. In addition, Alison counsels clients on entity formation matters, including entity selection, shareholder agreements and operating agreements.

Alison has served as outside general counsel to privately-held businesses in a broad range of industries, including manufacturers and suppliers, construction contractors, engineering firms, software development and information technology firms, physicians and other professionals. She is an innovative business attorney who collaborates with her clients to successfully achieve their business objectives.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Alison served as a Partner with the Burr Ridge law firm of Goldstine, Skrodzki, Russian, Nemec and Hoff, Ltd.

Education

• DePaul College of Law, J.D.
• University of Illinois, B.A.

Admissions, Associations & Memberships

• Illinois

Memberships

• DuPage County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association Member

Anastasia Xinos is a Director in the Life and Legacy Planning Group, concentrating her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate, guardianship and real estate, both residential and commercial. Anastasia’s experience includes helping individuals and families plan to transfer wealth, including wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts and other estate planning tools, as well as helping families after their loved ones pass.

A graduate of DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, Anastasia received her Juris Doctor in May 2006. During her law school career, Anastasia co-founded and was president of the Hellenic Law Society from 2004-2005 and vice president 2005-2006. She also received the honors of being on the Dean’s list and awards for the highest marks in two of her classes. Anastasia received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Political Science, and a minor in German, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Anastasia is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and DuPage County Bar Association. She has mentored several younger attorneys through the DuPage County Bar Association Mentor/Mentee program and enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with new attorneys.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Anastasia worked at Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona in Naperville and Chicago, and the Law Offices of Rogers and Associates, LLC, in Naperville.

Anastasia speaks Greek fluently, as it is her first language, and is also proficient in spoken German. She lives in Woodridge, with her husband, and enjoys spending her free time with her family and reading.

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 2013, Master of Taxation (LLM)
• Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California 2011, J.D.
• Law Journal: Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law, Associate Editor
• Pepperdine University, Malibu, California 2006, Magna Cum Laude
  Honors: Dean’s List; Golden Key Society
  Major: Political Science

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association Member
• DuPage County Bar Association Member
• WealthCounsel
• DuPage PADS
  • Member, Board of Directors

Admissions

• Illinois

Carleton W. Yoder joined Huck Bouma, PC in 2013.  Carleton, a Director with the Firm, concentrates his practice in the areas of Trusts and Estates, tax and transactional matters, business succession planning, estate and gift strategies, estate and trust administration, and wealth transfer through estate and gift planning.

Carleton handles estates both large and small, and represents his individual and business clients’ transactional and operational needs through the custom drafting of Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and business succession plans.  He believes in taking the time to understand his clients’ needs, objectives, and desires before applying the tools available to fulfill those needs.

Carleton attended Pepperdine University where he graduated, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He later returned to Pepperdine to attend its School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor. After graduating law school, Carleton moved back to DuPage County.  Carleton enjoys the study of taxation, and during his first year with Huck Bouma, distinguished himself by finishing his Master of Laws in Taxation (LLM) at Chicago-Kent College of Law, earning the CALI award in Tax Accounting and State and Local Taxation.

Carleton was born in Chicago, raised in DuPage County, and currently resides in Wheaton with his family. He enjoys photography, automobiles, and going on bike rides with his family on the Illinois Prairie Path.

Carleton serves as a member of the DuPage PADS Board of Directors.

Publications:
Pitfalls of the Power of Attorney for Property, DCBA Brief, 2015

“The 8.5 Steps Toward Ensuring Your Estate Plan is in Order,” blog appearing in Common Financial Sense, Cross Point Wealth. May 2, 2019.

(630)330-2544(c)

Education

• Northwestern University
  School of Law, J.D.
• Bradley University,
  B.S., with honors

Admissions

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Federal Trial Bar
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
• U. S. Supreme Court

David Zajicek is a highly experienced attorney whose practice includes corporate, finance and real estate transactions, as well as related lítigation. He represents companíes in sales of businesses; mergers and acquísitions; leveraged buyouts; executive compensation; employment law; shareholder disputes, and business succession planning.

As part of his corporate practice, David represents major lending institutions as well as borrowers ín all types of private financíng arrangements, including aircraft financing, New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing, Tax Incremental (TIF) financing, and workout litigation.

David’s real estate practice includes representation of developers from acquisition thru construction, sale and leasing. He has extensive experience in zoning and land use matters before many local communities in the Chicagoland area and in state courts regarding annexation, zoning, special use permits, wetlands permits, impact fees, storm water management and building permits.

On the trial side of his practíce, David has tried cases in state and federal courts regarding diverse commercial matters, ìncluding shareholder disputes, manufacturer/distributor disputes, and real estate matters of all types.

Honors & Awards
Named as a “Super Lawyer” in inaugural issue of lllinois Super Lawyer magazine, where selected by peers in area of closely and privately held Business Law.

Member of the Leading Lawyers Network, where selected by peers in the area of Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law.

Holds the AV@ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability

Presentations
Documenting Unusual Real Estate and Commercial Loans-Buílding Lender Protections From Start to Finish, live video conferences.

Publications
David has written and lectured to professional groups regarding the New Markets Tax Credit Program, enacted as part of the Federal Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000.

He has also been a guest lecturer on zoning and land use law conferences sponsored by the lnternational Conference of Shopping Centers and has taught real estate law courses at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Personal
David was a Captain in the United States Air Force and is a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal.
He and his wife, Lucrezia, live in Naperville, Illinois.

AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  – Juris Doctor
  – Certification in Business Law
• Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
  – B.S., Economics/Political Science
  – Kelly School of Business – Certification in Business Foundations

Associations & Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

Admissions

• Illinois
• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Russell T. Zimmerman is a Senior Associate in the Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning practice group, concentrating his practice in the areas of estate planning and estate administration.

Russell’s practice has given him the opportunity to gain insight into the overlapping dynamics of all phases of a trust and estate—from the initial estate planning consultation, through the final distribution. In doing so he has developed the ability to thoughtfully navigate both the complicated legal process, and also the sensitive family dynamics that often intersect during the drafting and administration process.

He has the ability to craft custom estate planning solutions for each individual or family’s unique needs, and to communicate complex trust topics to anyone in an effective, but conversational, manner. Many of Russell’s clients are also financial intuitions in their capacity as corporate trustee, executor or minor/adult guardian who have sought his counsel to troubleshoot a wide range of estate administration and probate issues.

Russell earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, with a certificate in Business Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University, with a certificate of Business Foundations from the Kelly School of Business. Russell is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Section on Trusts & Estates, the Chicago Bar Association Committees on Probate Practice and Estate Planning, and the DuPage County Bar Association Section on Estate Planning and Probate.

Prior to joining Huck Bouma, Russell was an associate at boutique trusts and estates law firms in Chicago and Oak Park.

Russell grew up in Naperville, and returned to the area to put down personal and professional roots after living downtown Chicago for over a decade. He enjoys playing ice hockey, traveling, and most of all spending time with his wife, Laura, their two little girls, and dog, Millie.