Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and achieving the best outcome on your case, quickly and efficiently. As a former Will County prosecutor, I have the courtroom trial experience you can count on. I have tried criminal cases ranging from a speeding ticket to first degree murder, and if you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an attorney who knows your case from the prosecutor perspective. I know their strategy and the techniques to counter them.

Don't delay. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba for a free consultation. We handle felony and misdemeanor cases, including drug offenses, DUI, thefts, battery, burglary, robbery, and weapon offenses. We offer affordable rates and flat fees for most cases.

Jack began his dedicated legal career in the area of criminal law as a clerk for the Illinois Attorney General while attending law school. After graduating in 2003, Jack was offered a position in the Medicaid Fraud Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General, where he prosecuted complex white collar and financial crimes.

In 2006, Jack accepted an appointment as an Assistant State's Attorney in Will County. As a well-respected prosecutor in Will County, Jack disposed of hundreds of criminal cases with offenses ranging from DUI to first degree murder. Jack has acted as first chair on over fifty bench trials and over thirty jury trials. His courtroom performance is unrivaled, and his aggressive and effective courtroom demeanor has even been described as "electrifying".

Since beginning his own law firm, Jack has achieved successful outcomes in a wide range of criminal cases. His goal is to help each client avoid a conviction. Jack continues to put his aggressiveness and experience to work for his clients every day.

Practice Areas

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, our office has the criminal trial experience you can count on. You are presumed innocent and it is up to the state to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. As a former prosecutor, I have prosecuted many crimes including first degree murder and I know what will be required of the state, and I will put them to the task.

You need an aggressive criminal defense attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba today if you have been charged with a criminal offense, including the following:

Felonies and Misdemeanors

* Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
* Drug Offenses - Trafficking or Possession
* Theft/Burglary
* Juvenile Crimes
* Sex Crimes
* Weapon Offenses
* Battery and Domestic Battery

DRUGS / NARCOTICS

Have you been arrested or are you under investigation for the possession or sale of illegal drugs? Do you have questions of whether the police can charge you with possession of those drugs? What if the drugs were found under the passenger seat of a car you were driving; or what if the drugs were in the trunk of the car? Do the police have the right to search you, your house or your vehicle?

These are questions that an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense drug lawyer can answer. As a former Will County Prosecutor, I have handled possession cases from a simple marijuana joint, to cocaine. If you have been charged with a drug offense, you want an experienced former prosecutor on your side.

DUI / TRAFFIC OFFENSES

At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, you will have hired one of the most experienced and knowledgeable DUI Attorneys in Joliet. As a former prosecutor in Will County, I have handled hundreds of DUI cases and know how to present the best defense for your case. The area of DUI law is complex and I can help you navigate the process.

Hiring a skilled DUI criminal lawyer is key to a successful defense of your DUI arrest. The penalties, even for a first time arrest for DUI can be costly and may include the suspension of your license, heavy fines, and a possible jail sentence.

JUVENILE CRIMES

When a child is charged with a criminal offense it can be one of the most difficult things that a family can face. The realization that your son or daughter could receive a criminal conviction or worse, can be very stressful.

At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, we understand the stress that this situation can cause and we are here to help. As your attorney, it is important to demonstrate to the court that your child is not a criminal, rather a young child who only used poor judgment. We represent clients charged with:

* Criminal trespass to vehicles or residences
* Theft or burglary
* School fights, assault and battery
* Illegal consumption by a minor (underage drinking)
* Possession of fake ID
* Weapon offenses
* Traffic offenses
* DUI
* Drug possession

Mistakes happen, and your son or daughter deserves a second chance.

Our goal is to keep your child from receiving a conviction and ultimately keep their record clean

Our experienced criminal defense lawyers at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C., have significant experience defending people charged with crimes.

Sandi Byrd entered private practice in October 2002 following nearly six years working as an attorney in the Kane County Public Defender's Office. Since entering private practice Sandi has represented clients in Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and Cook Counties. Sandi graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in 1996 and was admitted to practice law in Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois the same year. Since the beginning of her career Sandi has focused her practice almost exclusively in criminal defense. She has successfully tried many jury and bench trials including everything from minor traffic offenses to murder cases. Sandi is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association, currently serving as it General Counsel and as a member of the Criminal Law Committee, and is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Don Zuelke spent over sixteen years as an assistant public defender before entering the private practice in August of 2002. He has practice law for over 20 years, representing clients almost exclusively in criminal cases, and has successfully tried many jury and bench trials. Don graduated from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1984, and was admitted to the Illinois Bar that same year. He then worked as an assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defender's Office for almost 6 years, followed by almost 11 years in the Kane County Public Defender's Office. He has represented thousands of individuals in criminal defense matters, in everything from DUI and other traffic offenses to murder and other felonies. He is a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, qualified and authorized to represent clients in death penalty cases.

The attorneys at Zuelke & Byrd are committed to representing their clients zealously. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent under the law and deserves to have his or her rights protected. Everyone is entitled to a strong defense no matter what the charges are or what the evidence against them is. The law firm of Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C. is dedicated to doing the best possible job for each client, providing each client with the individual attention necessary to successfully defend them. We work hard to get the best possible outcome in each case. Our attorneys are experienced trial attorneys, having successfully tried many jury and bench trials over many years, and will vigorously defend your case at trial.

For more information about our criminal defense lawyers, follow the links below or contact us at Zuelke & Byrd, L.L.C.

The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, and I do not hold myself out as a specialist. However, I concentrate my practice in the following areas: appeals, criminal, business litigation, family, juvenile, and real estate matters.

Experienced Family Law and Criminal Defense Attorney
You want a strong, capable advocate for your interests in divorce or custody proceedings, but not a lawyer who is indifferent to your anxieties and concerns. My Wheaton, Illinois, law practice is dedicated to compassionate legal counsel while actively pursuing your goals.

Contact me at (630) 221-0100 for a free 30-Minute consultation.

The Law Office of Emily J. Kelly represents men and women throughout DuPage and Kane Counties. I offer knowledgeable representation in all aspects of Illinois family law including, divorce and property division, custody and visitation, child support, alimony, paternity, and modifications to support or custody arrangements.

I am also a proven criminal defense lawyer who you can turn to for effective representation if you have been charged with a crime. I work to protect my clients from the worst consequences of misdemeanor charges, juvenile crimes, and traffic offenses.

Strong Sensible Direction
I consider it my duty to listen to your situation and provide you with information about all of your options so you can make informed decisions. If litigation is necessary or prudent, I will aggressively pursue your best interests in court.

My unique and practical insights into the legal system as a former prosecutor, along with my dedication to individualized service as a sole practitioner, enable me to provide the strong and caring advocacy you deserve. I have practiced since 1989 and remain an ardent student of the law. In fact, I have testified before the Illinois Legislature and authored recently enacted child support legislation.

I Want to Help You — Call My Wheaton Office at (630) 221-0100
For compassionate and capable representation in family law or criminal defense, contact the Law Office of Emily J. Kelly for a free 30-minute initial consultation. My office is conveniently located near the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton. For your convenience, I accept Visa and MasterCard.

Sharon R. Knobbe is a partner with Knobbe, Laho, Gradishar & Mack, L, where her practice is concentrated in family law and collections. Sharon is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, where she currently serves as the 3rd Vice President and has also served, by appointment, as the DCBA Associate Counsel, Chairman of the Family Law Committee Chairman for the Membership Committee, Judiciary Committee, Planning Committee, CLE Committee and has volunteered her time to act as a Judicial Intervention Leader. Sharon is also the 1st Vice President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and Past President of the DuPage Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. In her free time, Sharon serves as an Adjunct Professor at the College of DuPage.

Steve McCollum has extensive experience in Criminal, DUI, and Juvenile cases, including 16 years as a prosecutor and 14 years as a defense attorney. Formerly the Chief Deputy State's Attorney for Lake County, Steve is currently the Chairperson of the Criminal Law Committee for the Lake County Bar Association, a member of the Board of Directors for the Bar Association, and a member of the screening committee for the Capital Litigation Trial Bar for the 19th Judicial Circuit. As an Assistant State's Attorney and Defense attorney, Steve has handled many First Degree Murder cases, Reckless Homicide, Sexual Assault cases, and almost every type of felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile case.

The Law Office of Vincent F. Cornelius is a general practice, with a focus in criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Cornelius represents individuals, corporations, not-for-profit organizations and other business organizations.

Prior to establishing the Law Office of Vincent F. Cornelius, Mr. Cornelius was an associate with the Law Firm of James D. Montgomery and Associates, the predecessor firm of Cochran and Montgomery in Chicago, Illinois where he practiced in the areas of criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Cornelius is also a former DuPage County Assistant State's Attorney. He was involved in the prosecution of felony, misdemeanor, DUI, juvenile and domestic violence cases. He was evaluated a distinguished prosecutor.

Mr. Cornelius has extensive bench trial, jury trial, and administrative hearing experience. He has defended homicide, white collar, and other serious felony cases. He has also been involved in the settlement of multi-million dollar personal injury cases. He practices in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall and other counties.

Vincent received his Juris doctorate Degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1989. He received his BBA in Business Administration in 1986 from the University of St. Francis where he was an Academic All American athlete.

He has been honored frequently within and outside of the legal community. Mr. Cornelius' participation in the legal community and the community at large has included the following:

President, Illinois Bar Foundation (2008-2010)
Governor's Commission on Criminal Law Reform
Chancellor, Illinois Academy of Lawyers (2007)
Board of Regents, Illinois Academy of Lawyers
Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors
Fellow, Illinois Bar Foundation
Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors, Retired
Chicago Bar Association Committee on Federal Jury Service
Domestic Relations Expedited Matrimonial Fee Arbitrator
DuPage County Bar Association, Asst. Treasurer
Northern Illinois University College of Law, Alumni Council
Life Member, National Registry of Who's Who
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alumni Chapter Board of Directors