Our Team
Marie Sarantakis, Esq. (Principal Attorney)
Concentration: Family Law
Marie Sarantakis is a prominent litigator frequently representing high net worth and notable spouses in courtrooms throughout Chicago and surrounding counties. She has earned the designation of CFP as a Certified Professional Litigator with the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators. Ms. Sarantakis is also trained in collaborative law and mediation for those who prefer alternative methods of dispute resolution.
Marie Sarantakis has been recognized as a Top Ten Attorney Under 40 in Illinois for family law by the National Association of Family Law Attorneys, earned distinction as a Rising Star by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers featured in Chicago Magazine three consecutive years, and has been named as a Fellow of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel .
Ms. Sarantakis is highly active in the legal community and serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Children & the Law Committee, an elected Assembly member and Young Lawyers Division Member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and on the Board of Governors of the West Suburban Bar Association. She also serves as a Young Professionals Board Member of Illinois Legal Aid Online and as an Associate Board Member of the Lawyers Assistance Program of Illinois.
Tom O'Brien, Esq. (Of Counsel)
Concentrations: Real Estate, Family Law, Bankruptcy, and Trusts & Estates
Attorney Tom O’Brien received his Bachelors and Juris Doctorate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He was sworn into the Illinois bar in 1968 and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1980. He remains one of just a few attorneys practicing daily in two different states. His fluency in both states’ laws, especially in family law and bankruptcy law has proven an invaluable aid to clients in interstate matters. In 1994, Mr. O’Brien was admitted to the Federal bar in Michigan and participated in the Embrace Systems case, a famous Grand Rapids bankruptcy trial for which the opinion is 42 pages long. He is also licensed in Missouri.
Mr. O’Brien’s unique skill is his ability to rapidly assimilate the details of a case, provide a quick analysis, and respond to nearly any legal issue presented. This skill, coupled with his extensive network of contacts and unshakable integrity has earned Mr. O’Brien the loyalty of clients from St. Louis to Milwaukee
Jim Fine, Esq. (Of Counsel)
Concentrations: Real Estate, Family Law, Bankruptcy, and Trusts & Estates
Attorney Jim Fine received his Bachelor's degree in U.S. History and English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his Master of Arts at Northwestern University, and his Juris Doctorate Degree at the DePaul University College of Law.
Mr. Fine is a full-time Professor at Roosevelt University, where he has been teaching since 1983. He is the Principal Attorney of the Law Office of James Fine located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Mr. Fine’s passion extends beyond teaching and practicing law. He is a tennis pro, singer, songwriter, and guitar player. He even has an album on iTunes, “I’ve Got ‘em Covered” released in December 2011.
Faraz Nayyar (Of Counsel)
Concentration: Employment Law
Attorney Faraz Nayyar received his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve School of Law and is admitted to practice in Illinois, Missouri and the Northern District of Illinois (U.S. District Court).
Mr. Nayyar is a Founding Attorney of Khan Nayyar & Associates in Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois. He is passionate about employees' rights and works tirelessly to achieve the best results possible for all of his clients.
Omar Khan (Of Counsel)
Concentration: Immigration Law
Attorney Omar F. Khan received his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University – Moritz College of Law and is admitted to practice in Illinois and in front of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Mr. Khan is a Founding Attorney of Khan Nayyar & Associates in Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois. His practice of law is focused on immigration law and criminal defense.
Lori Swanson, CP (Paralegal)
Lori Swanson is a Certified Paralegal with an AAS in Paralegal Studies from COD's ABA-approved program. She is also qualified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) to provide CP® (certified paralegal) services.
Ms. Swanson has over 20 years of legal experience in several areas of law including corporate governance and entity formations, residential and commercial real estate, leasing, zoning, family law, corporate litigation, civil litigation and insurance defense.
Amy Garechana (Paralegal)
Amy Garechana is a Paralegal with a certificate in Paralegal Studies from COD’s ABA-approved program. Ms. Garechana is the former President of the College of DuPage Paralegal Club and a member of Lambda Epsilon Chi. She holds a NSLT (National Society for Legal Technology) certificate in Legal Technology. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.
Kurtis Schreiber (Executive Assistant)
Kurt Schreiber studied Biblical theology and doctrine at Trinity International University. Mr. Schreiber has worked in both the legal and medical fields and is proficient in office management systems and procedures. Mr. Schreiber's attention to detail and discretion help him act as a liaison between Ms. Sarantakis and clients.