Attorney Profiles
We write, teach and lecture to other attorneys, but we always take the time to listen - so we can learn more.
Named one of "America's most respected legal counsels", Kurt A. Muller is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and The John Marshall Law School. He has concentrated his practice in the area of Family Law since 1987.
Mr. Muller is listed in Who's Who in Practicing Attorneys; Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the World and American Law and Leading Attorneys. He has additionally been named a Leading Illinois Attorney; one of 2000 Notable American Men; Consumer Business Review's Family Law Attorney of the Year; one of Vogue Magazine's Top Lawyers for Women in Illinois; a Distinguished Alumni of The John Marshall Law School, one of Modern Luxury Magazine's Top Chicago Attorneys; and one of the Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers.
Mr. Muller has additionally received commendations from the Anti-Defamation League; the American Bar Association; and the presiding judge of the Cook County Domestic Relations Division for his work as a Child Representative and Court Facilitator. In 2002, Mr. Muller was also awarded The National Leadership Award by the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Martindale-Hubbel's highest rating for attorneys practicing in the field of Matrimonial Law.
Mr. Muller has served as an instructor for Continuing Legal Education programs run by the National Business Institute and has authored papers for Divorce Magazine and the American Journal of Family Law. He is the past columnist of "Ask Muller" with Chicago Social Magazine and has been the subject of numerous articles in publications such as The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Magazine, The Skyline, Northshore Magazine, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and Time Magazine.
Mr. Muller has been the subject of a story on Dateline NBC and frequently serves as a family law commentator for Fox News - Chicago and as an informational source for USA Today, The National Enquirer, A Current Affair, The Jerry Springer Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He is the past host of CAN TV 21's "Consultation" and a weekly radio show on the CBS network's Chicago affiliate, WCKG. Mr. Muller is currently the host of a nationally broadcast radio show through Air America's Chicago affiliate, WCPT, Kurt Muller's Un-Common Law which airs each Sunday at 12:00 P.M. C.S.T. and counsel for an independent movie production company. He is also principal of THE MULLER FIRM, LTD..
Michael L. Lodermeier is a graduate of The University of Wisconsin and The John Marshall Law School. He has concentrated his practice in divorce and family law since 2000. Mr. Lodermeier also has extensive experience in matters concerning domestic violence, juvenile court, misdemeanor criminal, traffic / DUI, and real estate law. He has been published in The Chicago Sun Times. Mr. Lodermeier currently serves on the board of a non-profit corporation, is active with the Family Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association, and has been named as Illinois Super Lawyer since 2008.
Barbara Kinzel began her legal career in marital and family law in 1983 after graduating on the Dean's List from Syracuse University. Ms. Kinzel subsequently moved to Florida where she became a partner in the firm of Giles & Robinson, P.A. and became board certified in the practice of matrimonial law. Ms. Kinzel has appeared on syndicated radio, public radio, television and been featured in Orlando Magazine as one of the "Toughest Divorce Attorneys". She dedicates her practice to complex financial litigation, contested custody trials, and appellate work. After fourteen years in Florida, Ms. Kinzel returned to the Chicago area upon her marriage to a native of the Northwest suburbs. Recognizing that the clients' needs are universal, she continues working hard to ensure a satisfactory outcome for each and every client regardless of the issue presented.
Rebecca M. Walsh
is a graduate of the University of Iowa and IIT / Chicago Kent College of Law.
She has served as an extern for Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jesse Reyes and previously practiced
in matters involving contract and commercial litigation. Ms. Walsh speaks Spanish fluently and is
active in community affairs.
Joel A. Whitehouse is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and IIT / Chicago Kent College of Law, where he graduated with high honors. Mr. Whitehouse began his career in 1983 as a Cook County Assistant States Attorney where he served the public for nine years, rising to Felony Review. Mr. Whitehouse has successfully tried hundreds of felony cases and is a well-recognized and respected member of the Illinois Criminal Bar. Mr. Whitehouse serves as special criminal law counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD. and also is the President of an Illinois licensed private detective agency.
Honorable David Delgado (Ret.) was a leading jurist in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County for nearly twenty years before becoming of counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD. in 2012. Judge Delgado is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and the Northwestern University Law School. Prior to serving on the bench, he engaged in private practice, was an attorney for McDonalds Corporation and acted as an assistant to Cook County Commissioner Irene Hernandez. A "Renaissance Man", he has written two plays — which have been produced, a popular book — an anthology of stories — Battle at Tito's House and served as the Grand Marshall of the 1998 Puerto Rican Independence Day Parade. In addition to his current practice in family, criminal and real estate laws, he also serves as a Professor of "Trial Process" at the Chicago State University.
Richard Colombik is an award winning attorney and CPA who was formerly on the tax staff of one of the world's wealthiest families. A graduate of the University of Colorado, with a Certified Public Accountant degree from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from the John Marshall Law School, Mr. Columbik has also been the tax manager at a Big Four accounting firm, the State Bar's liaison to the Internal Revenue Service, Vice Chairman of the American Bar Association's Tax Section of the General Practice Counsel and past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association's Federal Tax Committee. He is also a member of the Asset Protection Committee, ABA, a member of the Offshore Institute, author of numerous professional articles, the guest on numerous television shows, the host of a weekly radio show and special counsel to THE MULLER FIRM for issues involving tax, estate and business planning.
Peter Stamatis is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the IIT/Chicago Kent College of Law where he earned various scholarships and awards for academic and extra-curricular achievement. He is licensed to practice not only in Illinois state and federal courts but before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court as well. Mr. Stamatis is a featured writer for the Chicago Law Bulletin and a sought-after speaker. He also serves as a Master of the Bench in the Chicago Inn of Court and vice-president of the Chicago Hellenic Bar Association. As special counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD. he brings extensive experience handling civil, criminal and appellate work, including matters concerning anti-trust, consumer fraud, breach of contract, accounting, probate, class action, business torts, executive compensation, partnership disputes, commodities, civil rights, real estate, lender liability, product liability, defamation, trade secrets, patent, trademark and copyright issues, professional liability and other significant commercial litigation. He also recently published his first book, Dandelions for Dinner.
Howard Ankin is a graduate of the University of Illinois and The John Marshall Law School. A third generation lawyer, he has a deep passion for the law that has been engrained in him since birth. Mr. Ankin is the principle of the ANKIN LAW OFFICE, LLC, and alongside with his father and partner, Paul B. Ankin, has extensive experience practicing in personal injury, worker's compensation and wrongful death at their office located at 162 W. Grand in Chicago, Illinois 60654. As special tort law counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD., Mr. Ankin prides himself on the hundreds of families throughout Illinois who repeatedly return to him for legal guidance at all stages of their lives.
Catherine Elliott-Dunne is a graduate of the University of Texas and The John Marshall Law School. She has concentrated in commercial litigation and collection law for over twenty-five years, and serves as special counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, in those capacities. She is well respected for her knowledge of the law, adherence to ethical guidelines and for her aggressive approach to the collection of outstanding debts.
Jack Ahern is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and The University of Chicago where he obtained a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, a J.D. and a graduate degree from the School of Business. Mr. Ahern has also been a member of the Employment Committee of the Chicago Chamber of Commerce and the National Alliance of Businessmen and has extensive experience working with the Illinois General Assembly and HUD. In the past thirty years Mr. Ahern has practiced real estate law and served as a consultant for insurance regulations, the financing and construction of real estate developments and small businesses, and in assisting on mortgage financing and tax credit issues. Mr. Ahern currently serves as counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD. in matters related to real estate, mortgage and financial issues, specializing in the structure of work-outs through difficult financial periods.
Charles Vihon is a graduate of The Northwestern University, The University of Chicago Law School (J.D.) and the Harvard University Law School (LL.M.) Mr. Vihon previously maintained a private practice dealing in all aspects of trial and appellate level representation for individuals and businesses involved in commercial and real estate transactions, general business and corporate affairs and situations involving financial distress. Mr. Vihon has also taught law - including classes concerning contracts, commercial law, creditor's rights, and bankruptcy/reorganization. Mr. Vihon is a past recipient of AACSB - Sears Fellowship, fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, and member of the White House Task Force. While not currently engaged in the active practice of law, he serves as advisory counsel to THE MULLER FIRM, LTD. on both matters of financial and intellectual complexity.