One year on, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.’s Elder Law practice has established itself as an indispensable resource, providing peace of mind, clarity and security for seniors, those with disabilities and their families.
When Chuhak & Tecson launched its Elder Law practice group in January 2024, it represented a natural progression and enhancement of the complex estate planning and asset protection work that has been a calling card of the firm for more than 35 years. But in the year since, the group has established itself as far more than an adjunct or extension of our other practices. Instead, the Elder Law team’s focused and complementary skill sets, appreciation of the unique concerns of seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families and deep sense of empathy and compassion have fueled the group’s growth and made Elder Law a key service offering of the firm.
Principal and Elder Law practice leader Mallory Moreno says it has been exhilarating and rewarding to see how her team has leaned into its fundamental mission and forged the types of client relationships that truly make a difference in people’s lives.
“What makes our team particularly well-suited to this work is our ability to develop genuine connections with the individuals and families who come to us for help,” she says. “We meet our clients where they are, communicate with them in language that brings clarity to complex issues and give them the confidence and peace of mind that comes from knowing that they now have and will have the resources and assistance they need for many years to come.”
Chuhak & Tecson’s Elder Law practice covers all of the legal, financial and practical aspects of planning for older clients, including long-term care planning, Medicaid and V.A. benefits crisis and pre-planning, disability, special needs and incapacity planning, Medigap coverage, guardianships and elder abuse concerns. In the year since its formation, the group has built on its decades of collective elder law experience, added attorneys and expects to continue ramping up its capacity to serve a growing population of seniors.
Moreno says that it is not just substantive capabilities and knowledge that distinguishes the practice’s attorneys.
“Every member of this group made Elder Law a focus of their work because they understand on a very visceral level why it matters and the immediate and long-term impact it has on the people they serve,” she says. “Being able to use your skills and training to help a senior and their family work through a financial or healthcare crisis or ensure that a loved one with disabilities has the resources and support they need is immensely rewarding.”
Moreno, along with principal Christine Barone, is one of two attorneys in the group (and one of only 13 in the state of Illinois) holding the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). While these certifications are certainly indicative of the group’s extensive substantive knowledge and experience, Moreno notes that the firm’s multi-disciplinary capabilities provide clients with resources and insights that allow for even more holistic approaches and guidance.
“Elder Law is a unique field of law in that it is defined more by the types of clients we serve than the services we provide,” she says. “While seniors and those with disabilities may have distinct needs and concerns that we can address, they also benefit from us having colleagues down the hall who can advise on other issues, such as business succession planning, the disposition of real estate, tax matters or estate and trust administration.”
You can learn more about Chuhak & Tecson’s Elder Law practice here.
Chuhak & Tecson is most pleased to announce the names of its attorneys who have been selected as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for Illinois for 2025. The following attorneys have well-earned this distinction and are awarded Illinois Super Lawyers in their respective practice areas.
David J. Bloomberg Real Estate
Edmond M. Burke Bankruptcy: Business
Ashley C. Coppola Estate & Trust Litigation
David J. Feinberg Estate & Probate
Mitchell S. Feinberg Estate & Trust Litigation
Lindsey Paige Markus Estate & Probate
David B. Shiner Tax
Stephen A. Wood Business Litigation
Illinois Rising Stars for 2025 are:
Aali S. Fidai Real Estate
Markeya A. Fowler Workman’s Compensation
Melissa (Missy) Turk Firmage Estate & Trust Litigation
Cecilio (Cy) I. Porras Banking
Nicholas W. Zausch Estate & Probate
Super Lawyers is a rating service of premier lawyers including more than 70 practice areas. Selected lawyers have attained a notable degree of peer acknowledgement and professional accomplishments. Super Lawyers provides a patented selection process that includes research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Lawyers are selected from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
According to Super Lawyers, each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers recognizes no more than 5% of attorneys in each state. Rising Stars recognizes attorneys practicing 10 years or fewer and comprises no more than 2.5 % of attorneys in each state. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.
Chuhak & Tecson congratulates its Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2025.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is proud to congratulate the Elder Law practice group on its one-year anniversary with our firm. Our Elder Law attorneys work with seniors, people with disabilities and their families to prevent, address and solve problems associated with aging, long-term care and financial issues. Our team of highly skilled professionals includes two attorneys, Mallory Moreno and Christine Barone, with the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation. There are currently only 13 CELAs in the state of Illinois. Other members of the Elder Law team include Ashley Coppola, Bryan Montana and Olive Wassen. All are members of the Illinois National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
Our Elder Law team provides their extensive knowledge to advise individuals and families regarding the law and financial planning strategies, such as health and long-term care; counseling and representation concerning Medigap, long-term care, prescriptions, disability and life insurance; planning for disability; elder abuse; legal capacity counseling and other areas of critical importance. Our Elder Law attorneys help families maximize the independence and quality of life of seniors and people with disabilities.
We look forward to many more beneficial and successful years ahead.
CHICAGO, SEPT. 25, 2024. On September 18, 2024, almost 200 women business leaders, entrepreneurs and strategic partners gathered together at Rivers Restaurant, 10 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, to celebrate a major milestone and support a wonderful and compelling cause. The occasion was the Women Helping Women Mix-and-Mingle marking the 15th anniversary of Chuhak & Tecson’s award-winning Women Helping Women program. This groundbreaking initiative, designed exclusively by women, for women, fosters professional empowerment and strengthens bonds among women professionals while partnering with not for profit organizations to provide resources and expand opportunities for women throughout Chicagoland.
At this year’s event, Women Helping Women welcomed its 21st not for profit partner, #LovePurse. This innovative nonprofit organization and its volunteers collect new purses, fill them with necessary toiletries, personal items, small gifts and inspirational notes of encouragement and distribute them to organizations supporting women coping with personal tragedies, living in emergency shelter situations or facing domestic violence, human trafficking or homelessness.
The women who gathered at this year’s Mix-and-Mingle contributed over 125 purses and more than $1000 in cash donations — all to support deserving women.
Maria Castro, who started #LovePurse in March 2021, was both thrilled by the success of the event and grateful for the overwhelming support shown by Chuhak & Tecson and the women in attendance.
“We were so proud to participate in Women Helping Women’s 15th anniversary. It was such a blessing and inspiration to see all of these impressive professionals come together to support fellow women and let them know that they are seen, supported and loved,” Castro says. “It is not an understatement to say that the purses, materials and personal messages gathered that evening will change lives.”
Over the past 15 years, Women Helping Women has brought together thousands of local women attorneys, business leaders, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and strategic partners at its annual Mix and Mingle gathering. Over delicious food and drink (such as this year’s specially concocted “Purse-Your-Lips C-Tini”), these accomplished women forge bonds, exchange ideas, generate new business and share laughter and conversation, all while bringing hope, assistance and opportunities for women facing an array of personal and economic challenges.
For its creative, integrated approach to professional growth and community service, Women Helping Women received the IDEA award from the Association of Legal Administrators, which recognizes new practices that deliver immense value and transformational impact through innovative achievement.
This year’s Mix-and-Mingle earned ecstatic reviews from guests, including the following comments:
- “I’ve never experienced such a warm and welcoming event – and we get to help women too! This is amazing! I’ll be there next year.”
- “I was so moved by the speakers and the stories they shared about what women go through to escape horrible situations.”
- “I remember the first few events as smaller and intimate. While larger now, that intimacy is still present. Well done.”
- “What an event! Honestly, it is my favorite Women’s networking event. Every one of my colleagues expressed the same sentiment. It’s truly what all networking events, women or coed, try to be but never succeed. You all do it right!”
To learn more about Women Helping Women or to suggest a not for profit partner for upcoming events, contact Sydney Iglitzen, Manager of Marketing & Communications, at siglitzen@chuhak.com.
This fall, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is celebrating a milestone anniversary for its award-winning Women Helping Women program. For 15 years, this groundbreaking initiative, designed exclusively by women, for women, has fostered professional empowerment and strengthened bonds among women professionals while partnering with not for profit organizations to provide resources and expand opportunities for women throughout Chicagoland.
The cornerstone of Women Helping Women is the annual, two-hour Mix-and-Mingle networking event that draws women from scores of industries across the business and professional spectrum. For each invitation-only gathering, which consistently brings together more than 125 women, Women Helping Women identifies and partners with a local not for profit organization dedicated to helping women or women and their children.
For its 21st Mix-and-Mingle, to be held on September 18, 2024, Women Helping Women will be supporting #LovePurse. This innovative not for profit organization and its volunteers collect new purses, fill them with necessary toiletries, personal items, small gifts and inspirational notes of encouragement and distribute them to organizations supporting women coping with personal tragedies, living in emergency shelter situations or facing domestic violence, human trafficking or homelessness. Since its inception in 2021, #LovePurse has gifted more than 12,000 purses with more than 360,000 toiletries to women in need in the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Turkey and Ukraine.
Janet Wagner, a principal in Chuhak & Tecson’s Financial Services practice group and active participant in the Women Helping Women program, learned of the mission for #LovePurse and says she is thrilled to help bring more resources and awareness to the organization and the women it serves.
“A purse may seem like such a basic, unremarkable thing, but when you think about it, a purse and its contents are really an indispensable part of the woman carrying it,” Wagner says. “For women who have experienced trauma or lack this fundamental aspect of day-to-day living, #LovePurse provides them with a sense of much-needed normalcy, independence and strength. I am so gratified that we get to be a part of those efforts.”
Maria Castro, who started #LovePurse in March 2021, is also excited about the partnership with Women Helping Women and looks forward to a great event for the organization that she is so passionate about.
“We are so proud to be able to participate in Women Helping Women’s 15th anniversary. It is such a blessing and inspiration to see all of these accomplished professionals coming together to support fellow women and let them know that they are seen, supported and loved,” Castro says. “It is not an understatement to say that these purses, materials and personal messages can change lives.”
Those who would like to support Chuhak & Tecson’s Women Helping Women and #LovePurse’s important efforts can click on the unique Women Helping Women/LovePurse Amazon link to purchase a purse and select a variety of the essentials to be included in the purse.
To learn more about Women Helping Women or about how to receive an invitation to this year’s event, contact Sydney Iglitzen, Manager of Marketing & Communications, at 312.201.3437 or siglitzen@chuhak.com.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is proud to announce that Mallory A. Moreno has received the Member of the Year Award from the Illinois National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (IL NAELA). Moreno is leader of the firm’s Elder Law practice and a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), an exclusive honor bestowed to a select group of attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. As of 2024, there are only 13 CELAs in Illinois providing creative solutions for clients who are faced with elder law issues.
Moreno was presented the award at IL NAELA’s Spring 2024 UnProgram held on May 30, 2024, at the Bloomingdale Golf Club, Bloomingdale, IL. The UnProgram featured a full-day of programming, including a breakout session moderated by Moreno on “Addressing Family Disputes – First Steps” as well as presentations by Mary Anne Ehlert, CEO & Founder of “Protected Tomorrows” and Rory Quinn of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
Moreno’s practice focuses in adult guardianships, both contested and non-contested, estate and trust administration and litigation, including financial exploitation, will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, issues of capacity, powers of attorneys, undue influence, financial exploitation, citations and fraud. Clients value her compassionate, pragmatic and collaborative approach to resolving issues while she remains conscientious of their unique needs, tailoring plans accordingly. A large portion of her practice is also dedicated to long-term care planning, Medicaid, Medicaid appeals, estate planning, special needs planning and disability law.
Moreno is a member of the Board of Directors and immediate past president of IL NAELA, an organization that is closely involved in advancing legislation on behalf of elder law attorneys and their clients. She also serves on and chairs many of IL NAELA’s committees. Moreno is a reoccurring faculty speaker for Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) as well as other organizations. In addition, she formerly served as co-chair of the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Chicago Bar Association’s Serving our Seniors Committee and currently is the incoming Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Probate Committee.
Chuhak & Tecson congratulates Ms. Moreno.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is proud to acknowledge Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. While Juneteenth has been celebrated in many communities across the U.S. for generations, it was first established as a federal holiday in 2021. It commemorates the day that the news of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, thereby making official the freedom of more than 250,000 slaves living in the formerly Confederate-controlled state over two years after the executive decree went into effect. The holiday name is derived from the actual day the news was announced, i.e., a combination of “June” and “nineteenth.”
Many celebrations will be taking place to celebrate this special day, including the following events being held online and around the Greater Chicago area. Here are just a few.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Resilience Online Exhibition
The National Museum of African-American History and Culture has created an exciting, interactive online exhibit. Featuring stories, photographs, videos and live presentations, Juneteenth: Celebrating Resilience explores the history and origins of Juneteenth, the legacy of slavery, the ongoing impacts of racism on Black Americans and communities of color and contemporary ways to celebrate. The exhibit also includes hands-on activities for families to complete together. The Museum’s parent guide offers detailed guidance on addressing this complex and challenging topic in an age-appropriate and historically accurate manner.
Juneteenth Village Fest
Saturday, June 15; 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Free entry. Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park; 1470 S. Albany Ave., Chicago, IL 60623
The third annual Juneteenth Village Fest celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the rich cultural heritage of Chicago. This free, family-oriented festival is hosted by It Takes A Village Family of Schools and this year’s headliners are India Arie, Dead Prez and Domani. Experience a day filled with live performances, rides, games and delicious food.
DuSable Museum of Black History and Education Center’s Juneteenth Annual Celebrations
Wednesday, June 19; 10:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Free entry. DuSable Museum; 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637
Activities include “DuFarm” with a petting zoo, horseback riding, a farmers market and a planting station, as well as performances from Blues and R&B artists such as Glenn Jones, DJ Ambassador Kevin Nevels, A Patch of Blues and many more.
On-site Juneteenth Commemoration: A Legacy of Hope and Allyship
Wednesday, June 19; 6:30 p.m.; Free entry but reservations required (sign-up here). Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie, IL 60077
Hear a profound discussion on the enduring impact and legacy of friendship and coalition between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Featuring Jonathan Eig, 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life, and Professor Susannah Heschel, renowned Jewish and biblical scholar and daughter of Rabbi Heschel, this captivating conversation moderated by Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., Senior Pastor of Bright Star C.O.G.I.C. and St. James C.O.G.I.C., will examine the complexities of racial and religious identity, the ongoing struggles to build solidarity across communities and the imperative of collective action in the creation of a more inclusive and equitable world. Through their insights, participants will reflect on the past, consider the present and envision a future guided by the principles of empathy, justice and understanding. Book signing to follow.
Chuhak & Tecson is pleased to announce that Edgar A. Quintero has joined the firm as an associate in the Financial Services practice.
Edgar comes to the Chuhak & Tecson from the Northern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Court, where he was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Timothy A. Barnes. Through his clerkship, he gained invaluable knowledge of the complexities of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Bankruptcy Rules and how they apply in commercial cases, including Chapter 11 reorganization and liquidation matters.
In addition to serving financial institutions in bankruptcy matters, Edgar focuses his practice on representing creditors in foreclosure proceedings and breach of contract litigation.
Edgar received his B.S. degree from Texas A&M International University, Laredo, in criminal justice and his J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana-Champaign.
Mallory Moreno, a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), principal and leader of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.’s Elder Law practice group, is a special guest speaker at the “Building Financial Stability” workshop hosted by Rachel Ruffin Solutions on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Level K Events, 110 East 23rd Street, First Floor, Chicago, IL 60616.
Mallory, who will speak on estate planning, retirement and other important areas affecting seniors and their families. Other speakers include Esther Rades of Bohannon Financial, Rachel Ruffin of Executive Realty Group and Tyler Cornelius of Vybe Mortgage, who will address mastering ones financial future, gaining insights and practical advice that will empower participants and arm them with the tools and actionable steps to transform their futures.
Admission is free. To register, click here.
Brandon R. Freud, principal in Chuhak & Tecson’s Financial Services and Litigation practice groups, and Adam K. Beattie, principal in the firm’s Real Estate and Litigation groups, represented real estate developer Shepherd Real Estate Subsidiary, LLC — 1901 Halsted Series in an appeal before the First District Appellate Court, which affirmed the trial court’s decision to award the developer in excess of $1.3 million in lost profits and other damages against ComEd related to a construction project.
ComEd ran a live power line under the developer’s property at 1901 North Halsted Street in Chicago, which significantly delayed and increased the costs of constructing an apartment building on the property.
Among other things, ComEd argued on appeal that the trial court misapplied the new business rule in awarding lost profits and that the testimony from the developer’s damages expert was speculative. Construction is now complete and the apartment building is fully leased.
Click here for a link to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article.
The case is Shepherd Real Estate Subsidiary, LLC – 1901 Halsted Series v. Commonwealth Edison Co., 2024 IL App (1st) 221766-U.