Missy Turk Firmage named 40 Under 40 to Watch by Law Bulletin Media

Chuhak & Tecson congratulates Missy Turk Firmage, principal in the Estate & Trust Administration & Litigation practice, who has been honored as one of the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by Law Bulletin Media. The award recognizes excellence, talent and successful attorneys from across the state.  

Missy focuses her practice on contested and routine guardianship matters, estate and trust litigation and administration, breach of fiduciary duty claims and fiduciary defense, elder law and trust and estate-related appellate work.

Her colleagues describe her as a passionate advocate for her clients. “Missy is a brilliant attorney,” said Rachael Gould, national head of the guardian and special needs trust administration with BMO. “She is a fabulous litigator. She is insightful, creative and compassionate.”

Missy received the Chicago Bar Foundation 2025 Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award celebrating the initiative, commitment and exceptional contributions of young lawyers to the profession, the organized bar and the community. Also in 2025, Missy was named to the Chicago Volunteer Legal Service (CVLS) Honor Roll in recognition of her commitment to pro bono work. She currently serves as a junior board member of CVLS, an organization founded more than five decades ago that provides pro bono civil legal aid services in the Chicago area.

Meg Benson, executive director of CVLS said, “When it comes to community service and pro bono, Missy walks the walk. What really sets Missy apart and makes her truly unique and exceptional is the compassion she brings to these cases …. Her dedication to her work and clients have endeared her to CVLS, her colleagues in the Probate Division and to the Court.” Benson remarked, “Admired throughout the Probate Division for her skill and kindness, Missy is an extraordinary attorney and generous, effective champion of our legal profession.”

As a passionate and dedicated child welfare advocate, she serves youth in foster care as associate board vice president for Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization she has been involved in for over a decade. Missy also serves as a guardian ad litem for children in problematic or contested minor guardianship cases where her compassion is exceeded only by her tenacity for advocating for the best interests of her child-clients.

Mitch Weinstein, president of the firm, announced the 2025 – 2026 appointment of Missy as the firm’s pro bono publico chairperson. The chairperson implements the firm’s pro bono publico policy, tracking among other things, the firm’s pro bono hours and opportunities to serve. On appointing Missy, Weinstein said, “We are proud of Missy and know that she will be an extraordinary leader of our pro bono publico efforts.”