Sean Chaudhuri, Esq.
Principal

More About Sean

Sean Chaudhuri was admitted to practice law in 2001. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and went to law school in Michigan. He primarily practices in the areas of Family Law, Contested Divorces and Custody Cases, Parentage Cases, Foreclosure Defense, Building Court Cases, Eviction Cases, and Real Estate Litigation. He aggressively litigates cases with passion for his clients, and has built a strong reputation in doing so. Mr. Chaudhuri is a past or present member of the following organizations: The Chicago Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association-Judicial Evaluation Committee, The Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, Apna Ghar Pro Bono Clinic, The Indo-American Democratic Organization, Illinois State Bar Association, The Asian American Bar Association, The Indian American Bar Association, The American Bar Association.  Bar Admissions: Illinois 2001 U.S. District Court: Northern District of Illinois 2004.

Angela Hwang, Esq.
Partner

More About Angela

Angela Hwang is a skilled attorney with over 10 years of extensive litigation experience, which enables her to assist clients through some of the most challenging and important issues in their lives. She represents clients in all aspects of marital dissolution cases, including matters involving complex financial issues, non-marital asset protection, spousal support, child custody and visitation (now known as allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time), removal and support. In addition to divorce cases, Angela has broad experience in other family law matters involving establishment of parentage, high-conflict custody disputes, complex custody and parenting matters, and disputes involving child support. Angela also represents clients in residential real estate transactions, providing assistance through all stages of a residential real property sale or purchase.

Gary Stanton, Esq.
Senior Attorney

More About Gary

Born and raised in Chicago, Gary received a Bachelors in English Writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Gary then went on to The John Marshall Law School and received his juris doctor in 2019. Upon graduating from law school Gary successfully passed the Illinois bar exam and was sworn into the Illinois bar.

Gary is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Alexandria Diggs-DeRose, Esq.
Senior Attorney

More About Alexandria

Alexandria Diggs-DeRose is a Texas native, who moved to Chicago after graduating cum laude from The University of Texas at Austin and Mississippi College School of Law. While in law school, she received her pro bono certificate volunteering with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyer Program. Alexandria was one of two inaugural students in the Honorable Rueben V. Anderson Education Law and Policy Clinic, contributing to policy research in the field of Education/Special education law. In Chicago, she interned with the Federal Defender Program, General Counsel in the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and the Cook County Chancery Division. Alexandria was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2021 and is a member of the Cook County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the NAACP.

Janet Vasquez, Esq.
Associate Attorney

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Born and raised in Chicago, Janet received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Concordia University Chicago.

Janet Vasquez then went on to Chicago-Kent College of Law and received her juris doctorate in 2021. During her time at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Janet was an active member of the Hispanic Latinx Law Student Association and Chicago-Kent Student Humanitarian Network. She also volunteered with several organizations that provided legal services to low-income minorities in areas of eviction, divorce, and immigration law.

On her final year in law school, she completed a summer judicial clerkship with the Domestic Relations Division of Cook County. Upon graduating from law school Janet Vasquez successfully passed the Illinois bar exam and was sworn into the Illinois bar. Janet is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.

Deborah Ritz, Esq.
Associate Attorney

More About Deborah

Deborah received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Deborah went on to receive a master’s in social work from Loyola University Chicago. Then, Deborah received her juris doctor from Valparaiso University Law School.

After being admitted to the Illinois Bar, Deborah worked for a general practice firm. Deborah has been working exclusively on family law matters since 2020.

Morgan Puckett
Associate Attorney

More About Morgan

Morgan received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from Hannibal LaGrange University where she graduated cum laude. Morgan then attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she spent time working at the school’s family law clinic. During her time at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Morgan was active member of several student organizations including Women in Law, First Generation Student Association, and the Chicago-Kent Student humanitarian Network. While in law school, she received her pro bono certificate volunteering with several organizations aiding victims of domestic violence and special recognition awards for her and policy work in the areas of Immigration and Education and her work with the Southeast Louisiana Legal Center providing family law services to individuals impacted by natural disasters in New Orleans. During her second year of law school, Morgan completed a judicial clerkship with the Child Protection Court Division of Cook County. Morgan went on to graduate from Chicago Kent College of Law and she received her juris doctor in 2022.

Peter L. Berk, Esq.
Of Counsel

More About Peter

Peter L. Berk joined the Bar of the State of Illinois and the United States District Court in 2001, and immediately began serving the needs of financially distressed businesses and consumers in the Chicagoland area.

The foundation for Mr. Berk’s practice was formed at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. As staff editor of the Loyola Consumer Law Journal, Mr. Berk demonstrated a strong interest in consumer rights and affairs. Also at Loyola, Mr. Berk was recognized for excellence in legal writing.

In 2001, Mr. Berk began his legal career as an associate with the Chicago law firm of Morgan & Bley, Ltd, where he practiced in the areas of bankruptcy, civil rights, and complex litigation. At Morgan & Bley, Mr. Berk worked to reorganize small businesses in Chapter 11, obtained bankruptcy relief for many consumers, represented individual police officers in a well-publicized lawsuit against a municipality in the Chicagoland area, prosecuted and defended defamation actions, and engaged in other general litigation matters.

In 2003, Mr. Berk transitioned to the law firm of Evans, Loewenstein, Shimanovksy & Moscardini, Ltd as an associate attorney. At Evans, Mr. Berk continued his representation of consumers and businesses in bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, he served as a staff attorney with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., now known as Legalshield, Inc. ELSM is the provider firm for all of the 50,000+ Legalshield members located in the State of Illinois. Mr. Berk has been recognized by Legalshield for providing outstanding service to its members. At ELSM, Mr. Berk expanded his practice to include real estate. Today, Mr. Berk continues his relationship with ELSM as Of Counsel.

Mr. Berk opened the Law Office of Peter L. Berk in August of 2006. On June 1, 2015, Mr. Berk merged his practice with Douglas Rivera and Kathleen O’Keefe-Rivera to form O’Keefe, Rivera & Berk, LLC. With O’Keefe, Rivera & Berk, LLC, Mr. Berk has continued his philosophy of providing nothing but the best possible client service.

Mr. Berk’s current practice focuses on bankruptcy, real estate, and civil litigation. With respect to bankruptcy law, Mr. Berk has a wealth of experience. He has successfully obtained discharge of millions of dollars of consumer and business debt for his clients. Mr. Berk has also successfully litigated bankruptcy matters for both Debtors and creditors, including trial work. Mr. Berk’s real estate experience has included a wide array of successful transactions, from multi-unit apartment buildings, to auto repair shops, to single family homes, to condominiums. Mr. Berk specializes in closing short sale transactions.

Mr. Berk is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association Bankruptcy Panel.

Santiago Matias
Legal Assistant

More About Santiago

Santiago graduated from Miami University (OH) with a degree in History and Italian studies. As a legal assistant, Santiago communicates with clients and assists attorneys in their day-to-day activities. He plans to attend law school and pursue a career in law.

Sergo Berhane
Legal Assistant

More About Sergo

Sergo graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Political Science. She is also in the works of going to law school. As a legal assistant, Sergo facilitates communication with clients, organizes client financial documents, and assists attorneys with day-to-day activities.

Chloe Yates
Legal Assistant

More About Chloe

Originally from Houston, TX, Chloe graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University with a degree in Anthropology. As a legal assistant, she handles the processing and distribution of bills and speaks with the clientele regarding any billing concerns. Chloe also schedules consultations for prospective clients and assists the office in other day-to-day operations. She plans to attend law school after serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama.