Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Mr. Lentner joined the firm in 2007 after graduating from the University of Dayton School of law. Mr. Lentner has overseen the firms Will County office and cases as well as the firms office on Western Ave. in Chicago.

Prior to joining the firm Mr. Lentner worked in the law department of an Ohio municipality, and also for United States Senator Charles Grassley.

Robert Mick is an associate attorney at the Firm’s Joliet office. Mr. Mick is a member of the Firm’s bankruptcy department where he handles all bankruptcy matters for clients in the collar counties of Will, Kendall, Grundy, and LaSalle. While at the Firm, Mr. Mick has advised and consulted hundreds of clients at both the Joliet and South Side Chicago offices in addition to preparing and filing their bankruptcy petitions.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Mick graduated from The John Marshall Law School. While attending The John Marshall Law School, Mr. Mick was a law clerk for the Illinois Office of the Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, in their special litigation and civil rights divisions, as well as a law clerk for the firm of Pissetzky & Berliner where he practiced in both criminal defense and real estate. After graduating from The John Marshall Law School, Mr. Mick continued to work for Pissetzky & Berliner as a short sale negotiator, as well as a volunteer legal advisor for the Chicago Legal Clinic where he advised homeowners facing foreclosure at the Daley Center’s Chancery Help Desk.

Prior to attending The John Marshall Law School, Mr. Mick attained a Bachelor of Science in Communications in 2005 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Mick was born and raised in the Chicago-land area.

Janna Quarless joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2007 and is an associate in the Chicago office. She is a member of the bankruptcy department and currently heads the Chapter 7 Department where she represents clients in a variety of Chapter 7 matters including appearing before judges in the State and Federal levels, negotiating settlements with the Office of the United States Trustee, creditors, and Chapter 7 Interim Trustees.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Quarless graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2007. While attending law school, she worked with the Michigan House of Representatives and interned with the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association working with lobbyists on variety of matters. Ms. Quarless received a Bachelor of Art in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003.

Mike Miller is an attorney for the firm’s office in Aurora. Mr. Miller joined Robert J. Semrad and Associates in 2004 as a law clerk, and then became an Associate Attorney in 2006.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Miller graduated with Honors from Roosevelt University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management, in 2001.

Mr. Miller then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Miller was an extern with the United States Department of Justice’s Office. In addition, Mr. Miller also was an extern at the Greater Southwest Development Predatory Lending Clinic, helping consumers against predatory lending practices.

Mr. Miller is currently a member and volunteer in the Chicago CARE program which provides educational seminars to students for the responsible use of credit. Mr. Miller was born and raised in Illinois.

Marisa Leeds joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in August of 2008 and is an associate in the Atlanta office. Ms. Leeds has been practicing bankruptcy law since joining the firm. Previously Ms. Leeds spent two years as a court attorney, handling all the various matters involved with Chapter 13 bankruptcies and representing clients in court in defense of their Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases and plans. She currently primarily meets with new clients for consultations and supervises the attorneys and paralegals who file cases for new clients. Ms. Leeds received a J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in May 2008. While in law school, Ms. Leeds sat on the Board of the Moot Court team and won second place for a brief she wrote for a moot court competition. She also served as a graduate research assistant to Professor Mary Radford and assisted in the research for Professor Radfordâs Redfearn Books on wills and estate planning in Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2005 where she earned a B.S. in Management and a concentration certificate in Marketing. Ms. Leeds enjoys reading and running with her dog, and is an avid fan of both Georgia Tech football and Atlanta Falcons football.

Mr. Black is a Managing Partner and currently overseeing the Georgia locations . He joined the firm in 2002 and has represented thousands of clients in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases. Mr. Black obtained his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University and his Bachelor of Science from Columbia College.

Patrick Semrad is the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Illinois offices. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Semrad graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul College of Law, where he was a member of the DePaul Law Review. Mr. Semrad received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University in 2001. Mr. Semrad is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Mr. Semrad is member of the General Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Semrad is a member of the Illinois Bar.

Professional Activities:
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Union League Club of Chicago

Nic Perino joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2006. He is a senior associate and a member of both the bankruptcy and litigation departments. Mr. Perino’s primary practice focus is counseling and representing Debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy. Mr. Perino has successfully defended and settled numerous adversary proceedings relating to allegations of fraud against consumer debtors.

Mr. Perino also serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s volunteer attorney panel. Members of the panel help represent indigent parties on a pro bono basis in discrete adversary proceedings and contested matters.

Mr. Perino earned his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. During law school, Mr. Perino worked for the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. A member of the Charitable Trusts and Organizations division, he helped enforce the proper use of gifts from deceased individuals to the Commonwealth’s numerous charitable organizations.

Mr. Perino was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science from Penn State University.

Ronica Scales joined Robert J. Semrad and Associates in 2009 and manages the Conyers Office. Ms. Scales has been practicing bankruptcy law since 2006. Ms. Scales received a J.D. from University of Georgia School of Law in May 2004. She received her undergraduate degree from the Georgia State University where she earned a B.A. in Political Science.

Dear Visitor,

Filing for bankruptcy is a major life event. Before you entrust your financial well-being to a law firm, I think it's important to get a sense of whether you will be comfortable with your bankruptcy attorney and the level of services provided.

I'm a down-to-earth sort of guy who enjoys helping people solve their problems. Hey, I've been there. I know what it's like to worry about making ends meet at the end of the month. My goal is to make you feel at ease and to ensure that you understand that filing for bankruptcy is not the end of the world but can be the positive change you need to get your life back on track.

I speak in plain English, not "Latin lawyer-speak." I encourage you to ask questions. The only dumb question is the one not asked. I will listen carefully to you as you explain your situation and I'll give you an honest and objective assessment as to whether or not bankruptcy is an appropriate solution.

If you are a good candidate for a bankruptcy filing, I'll explain the process and give you a step-by-step roadmap of what needs to be done from start to finish to give you your fresh start. But I'll also tell you straight out if bankruptcy is not appropriate for you and I'll give you some alternative options to consider.

My fees are not the cheapest in town, but they are reasonable. When you hire me as your lawyer, you will deal directly with ME, not a law clerk or a paralegal. My fees are flat, meaning that once you retain me, you don't pay an extra dime whenever you want to talk or meet with me about your case. No rushing and no watching the clock when we're together.

Do you hate fighting traffic while rushing to an appointment downtown only to face outrageous parking fees? Me too! My office is conveniently located in Beverly on the south side of Chicago (free parking is available!). I serve clients throughout the city and the surrounding suburbs.

In addition to Bankruptcy Law, I am also experienced in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate Estates, Residential Real Estate Closings, and Business Startups.

Prior to starting my law practice, I was a Vice President and Trust Officer with Bank of America and an Estate Settlement Officer with The Northern Trust Company. I am a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where I proudly served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps as a paralegal specialist.

I earned my law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1998. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992 with a bachelor's of science degree in finance. (Go Illini!)

I'm licensed to practice law throughout the State of Illinois and I am admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. I also hold an inactive Florida law license.

I invite you to look around this website, read the FAQ section, browse the blog articles, and check out my Facebook page. Hopefully you'll become more informed and comfortable with me and your decision to file than when you arrived.

If you're ready to get together now for your FREE no-obligation initial consultation, just give me a call at (773) 429-0400 or schedule an online appointment at www.alvinforeman.com.

Thanks for visiting!

Best Regards,

Alvin

Helping workers and consumers achieve stability in their homes and finances; the platforms for major life activities: neighborhood, schools, friends, family, and a sense of place. Focusing on foreclosure defense, consumer rights, bankruptcy, tenant's rights, and unemployment compensation benefits.

Attorney Frank G. Avellone resides in Chicago and has practiced law in Illinois since January, 2004. Prior to coming to Illinois, Frank practiced law in Ohio's small cities and rural communities. Frank has created community coalitions to solve problems in such areas as school improvement, student discipline, predatory lending, meaningful job creation, affordable housing, and racial and religious tolerance.