Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. elevates four associates to principal

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. proudly announces that Thomas Calascibetta, Aali Fidai, Agnes Ptasznik and Nicholas Zausch have been elevated from associates to principals of the firm. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, professional excellence and commitment to clients and the firm that each of these talented attorneys brings to their practices.

“It has been an absolute pleasure watching Tom, Aali, Agnes and Nick progress as attorneys over the last several years, and we enthusiastically welcome them to the principals team,” says Chuhak & Tecson president Mitch Weinstein. “Each of them has forged their own separate path, and they are very different from one another, but they all share the same essential qualities that make for exceptional attorneys and colleagues.”

Tom Calascibetta

Since joining the firm in 2021, Calascibetta has built a thriving practice that stands at the complex, ever-evolving intersection of the law and technology. He advises clients on a broad range of technology and healthcare transactions and provides regulatory compliance counseling in connection with commercial transactions and corporate governance. A Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States (CIPP/US), he also counsels clients on issues arising under HIPAA, GDPR and evolving U.S. state privacy laws.

“From Day One, Tom has exhibited a relentless work ethic and desire to learn and grow as an attorney,” Weinstein says. “His certification as a CIPP/US in 2023 has broadened our firm’s capabilities in that space and his many other talents and sound judgment have made him an integral part of the corporate team.”

“This is something I’ve been working towards since law school,” Calascibetta says. “It is a great feeling to be recognized for my efforts here over the past five years and I am honored by this sign of trust and confidence in my work and judgment.” 

Aali Fidai

With a lifelong passion for construction and architecture as a foundation, Fidai has focused his practice on providing counsel on commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing and financing transactions of all types and complexity. An immigrant and first-generation attorney who joined the firm in 2022, he also works with clients and lenders to secure favorable, suitable financing arrangements and has significant experience in zoning, permitting and land use matters.

“Aali has shown tremendous business acumen and every client loves working with him,” Weinstein notes. “His skills as a real estate attorney have been growing and improving throughout his time here and we are excited to see him become a principal.”

“It’s definitely a huge milestone for me,” Fidai says. “I am truly grateful for the recognition and am excited about this next chapter in my career.”

Agnes Ptasznik

Ptasznik joined Chuhak & Tecson in 2021 after spending many years working for the Illinois Attorney General in various roles. Making a career pivot, she subsequently earned an LLM degree in estate planning before building her practice in that area here. With a balance of skill and empathy, she crafts comprehensive plans tailored to achieve her clients’ financial and personal objectives. In addition to preparing sophisticated wills and trusts, Ptasznik helps clients address more specialized needs, such as those related to adoption, surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology and guides families through the estate administration.

“Right away, Agnes became a tremendous asset to the estate planning/private wealth services team,” Weinstein says. “She has demonstrated exceptional networking and business development skills and is well deserving of becoming a principal.”

“While I certainly worked hard to get here, I could not have done it without the guidance and support of my colleagues at the firm,” Ptasznik says. “As a mom, it is extremely meaningful to see how happy and proud my kids were for me, especially since they were so patient when I’ve had to work late or help clients at odd hours.”

Nick Zausch 

An attorney in the firm’s trusts & estates practice group since 2023, Zausch brings to his estate planning, elder law, estate and trust administration, estate litigation and guardianship practice a wealth of unique and valuable experience and a deeply ingrained passion for helping people. He began his career as a staff attorney for the Probate Division of Cook County, where he wrote more than 70 opinions on highly contested estate matters and gained keen behind-the-bench insights as to how best to advance his clients’ interests in the courtroom.

“Nick’s breadth of experience with estate and trust administration and litigation complementing his experience with estate planning has made him a great fit here at the firm,” Weinstein says.

“It is humbling and rewarding to know that you’ve earned the respect and trust of your colleagues,” Zausch says. “It feels like all of the efforts and hours and ups and downs of practicing law have been more than worth it.”