STG Divorce Law

Attorney Juli A. Gumina

Named a Leading Lawyer in the area of Family Law, Juli handles all types of Family Law cases including contested custody and financial trials. Juli focuses her practice on high net worth and complex asset divorce matters, child custody and removal litigation, and financial issues in divorce, especially those involving closely held or family owned business interests. Juli is always working towards a collaborative solution to resolving a client’s issues.

Juli A. Gumina is a Shareholder in Sullivan Taylor, Gumina & Palmer, P.C. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (“AAML”), the premier professional organization of family law attorneys throughout the United States. Juli was admitted to practice law in 1995, and graduated with a J.D. from Illinois Institute of Technology-Kent College of Law, where she was on the Dean’s List and a member of the Bar & Gavel Society.

Juli received her B.A. from Loyola University in Chicago, where she graduated cum laude and was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society. She honed her litigation skills for several years as a public defender in DuPage County, prior to joining the firm to focus on family law. Juli is a trained and experienced mediator and is frequently appointed by the courts to mediate family law issues, in addition to serving as a Guardian ad Litem in both DuPage and Will County.

Named a Leading Lawyer in the area of Family Law, Juli handles all types of Family Law cases including contested custody and financial trials. Juli focuses her practice on high net worth and complex asset divorce matters, child custody and removal litigation, and financial issues in divorce, especially those involving closely-held or family-owned business interests. Juli is always working towards a collaborative solution to resolving a client’s issues.

Juli has spoken and presented at numerous seminars dealing with family law topics and the issues surrounding divorce. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the DuPage County and Will County Bar Associations.

Attorney Raiford Dalton Palmer

Named a Super Lawyer and top-rated lawyer in Divorce & Family Law for several years,  Raif concentrates his practice in high net worth and complex asset divorce matters, especially those involving business and real estate interests. He handles collaborative divorce cases as well as litigated matters and mediation. Raif has extensive legal experience in commercial litigation, business transactions, and personal injury litigation, which gives him a broader understanding of these issues in divorce matters.

Raiford D. Palmer, AAML, is a Shareholder of STG Divorce Law. Raif enjoys solving challenging problems and has a very common sense, practical approach. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the premier professional organization of family law attorneys.

He has substantial jury and bench trial experience and has argued an appeal before the Illinois Appellate Court. Raif is also a speaker regarding dissolution of marriage issues both for attorneys in legal education courses as well as for groups serving the general public. Raif published articles and spoken for legal education events on family law topics and trained other attorneys in trial practice techniques.

Raiford D. Palmer concentrates in Family and Divorce Law, post-divorce matters, and prenuptial agreements.

Attorney Laura I. Baldwin

From a young age, I had a passion for working with children and families. I was determined to combine this interest with my professional career. During a classroom discussion in sixth grade, my enthusiastic responses prompted my teacher to say, “Laura, you should be a lawyer!” It stuck. Continuing my passion for learning about human connection and individual life experiences, I studied psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and developed a unique skill set in order to provide my clients with valuable insight and knowledge. Upon receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, my sixth grade teacher’s words drove me to law school, where I found family law. It was a perfect fit. Utilizing my knowledge, extensive experience, compassion, intuition, and strategic thinking, I work to develop an individualized and effective approach for each client based on that person’s unique needs and goals. Whether it is through litigation, mediation, or collaborative law, my focus is honoring the family experience and bringing you through the entire process with dignity. I have the essential skills, the necessary team, and the extensive network of professionals to help individuals transition to a new chapter in their lives.

Laura is a Partner and the Attorney Director at STG Divorce Law.  Laura is an award-winning divorce and family law attorney.  She has been selected an Illinois Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers and an Illinois Rising Star by Super Lawyers for more than six consecutive years, a distinction earned by fewer than 2.5% of all attorneys in Illinois under 40.  

Laura previously served as the President of the Chicago Legal Clinic Auxiliary Board in Chicago, and co-created the Illinois Financial Group – an extensive network of professionals ready to serve clients in pre-divorce and post-divorce planning.  Laura is an experienced litigator, trained mediator, and a fellow of Collaborative Divorce Illinois.  

Her extensive experience combined with her education allows her to determine the most strategic and cost-effective approach for each individual client, whether its litigation, mediation, or collaborative law.  Laura practices all areas of family law including divorce, high net worth divorce, post-divorce issues or modifications,  custody/parenting responsibilities, collaborative law, and mediation.

Attorney Sharon L. Genalen

Sharon understands and cares about the you in the process as well as your outcome, not just the end of the game. A child of divorce herself, Sharon is familiar with the impact of divorce and its attendant issues on a family, both short-term and long-term.  She focuses her advocacy on conflict resolution and puts you first every step of the way.  Sharon has committed herself to advocacy in family law since the inception of her professional career. Having lived in Illinois her whole life and being raised by a social worker and an accountant, a career in family law came naturally.  Sharon earned her legal degree at Loyola Chicago School of Law with a Certificate in Child and Family Law.  She brings to the table a unique background in child welfare law, school law, and matrimonial law, before she zeroed in on the parenting concerns and financial complexities associated with all divorce and parentage cases.

Don’t mistake Sharon for taking a soft approach on hard problems, though. Sharon is ready to litigate if this path is in her client’s best interest. She is not afraid of a challenge. When not in the courtroom, Sharon regularly practices “leave no trace” camping, whether it be in the rugged mountains or elsewhere in the wilderness. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Attorney Abeer H. Zanayed

At the heart of my practice are two beliefs: First, communication is the key to every successful relationship; and Second, the law can assist individuals in articulating their needs and reconsidering their relationships. I maintain a constant dialogue with my clients to understand their needs and to provide effective solutions. If mediation is appropriate, I seek an amicable and efficient process and an equitable outcome. If litigation is needed, I advocate fiercely and work tirelessly for the best result that the law offers.

I have handled hundreds of family law cases, including pre-decree and post-decree divorce cases, child support enforcement, paternity and parenting time matters, and relocation cases. I am an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association. Recently, I have been selected to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list, an honor reserved for attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois receive this distinction.  I have also been selected to the 2020 Leading Lawyers list as an Emerging Attorney.

I’m a first-generation American. I grew up in a community and culture where the men are the breadwinners and the women stay in the home.  At a young age, I decided there was no way I was putting up with that.

I wanted to take the road less traveled and challenge the patriarchy.  I left home and attended Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.  College was a place of discovery and an opportunity to set the path for my future.  I discovered my own voice and learned to advocate for myself.  I then went to John Marshall Law School and learned how to help others advocate for themselves.  I am proud to say that I am the first female attorney in my family, having graduated in 2005.

At the start of my law career, I focused mostly on civil cases; it was during this time that I honed my skills in litigation and all aspects regarding the management of court proceedings, which included such facets as establishing litigation strategies and directing settlement negotiations. As a civil litigator, I dealt with all manner of cases such as breach of contract, personal injury, corporate shareholder disputes, and more.  However, I wanted to help people become independent and unlock their full potential.  That’s why I decided to shift my focus exclusively to family law a decade ago. 

Attorney Rahul Iyer

Rahul Iyer is an experienced divorce and family law attorney. He represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, alimony, and property division. Rahul has a history of efficiently managing a high volume of cases, which gives him an inherent understanding of what is needed to put his client’s interests first. He is also recognized as an intelligent and savvy advocate for his clients.

Rahul has a background in finance which gives him a unique ability to successfully navigate financial issues in divorce cases. Staying ahead of the law’s frequent changes and delivering outstanding guidance to clients is Rahul’s sixth sense.

Rahul Iyer is a highly accomplished attorney with a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in finance from Arizona State University. Rahul has extensive experience in family law and can expertly navigate clients through even the most complex divorce proceedings. He is also an effective litigator and is not afraid to take cases to court if necessary to get his clients the best possible outcome.

Attorney Margaret Kawarski

Margaret is an Associate Attorney at STG Divorce Law. Margaret is one of the firm’s bilingual speakers and is native in Polish.

Margaret concentrates her practice in all areas of family law, including dissolution of marriage, post-dissolution matters, child custody and visitation disputes, child support cases, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. She strives to work towards a collaborative solution to resolve her client’s issues. Margaret’s passion for working with children and families, coupled with her analytical skills, allows her to provide clients with individualized support and uniquely tailored solutions. 

Margaret graduated from DePaul University College of Law with a cum laude distinction. While at DePaul, Margaret was also awarded two CALI Excellence Awards for receiving the highest grade in both her Child Advocacy Legal Drafting course and Health Care Fraud and Abuse course. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Journal of Health Care Law. 

During law school, Margaret served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Mark J. Lopez in the Cook County Domestic Relations Division. Margaret assisted Judge Lopez in conducting legal research and writing court orders for pro se litigants. She also volunteered at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic, where she assisted individuals in obtaining Orders of Protection. 

Prior to joining STG Divorce Law, Margaret worked as a Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney. This experience sharpened Margaret’s analytical and litigation skills and has made her a zealous advocate in the court room. Ultimately, Margaret decided that she wanted to help clients navigate through difficult legal processes and transitioned into the practice of family law. 

Margaret is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, and the Advocate Society for Polish-American attorneys.

Attorney Mary Liberty

Mary Liberty is an associate at STG Divorce law and represents clients in divorce, parentage, and more.

Mary understands that when a family faces difficult legal challenges, it can be overwhelming for everyone involved. Her goal is always to provide her clients with the support they need while working tirelessly to reach a favorable outcome. 

Mary brings an impressive resume and refreshing approach to our firm’s legal team with a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she graduated in the top 20% of her class.

Honors include Cum Laude, Health Law Fellow; Thomas More Merit Scholar; Dean’s List. She has worked in projects such as Veteran’s Community Law Clinic, Opioid Epidemic Field Study; Member, International Mediation Competition Team; Secretary, Environmental Law Society; Associate Editor, Annals of Health Law Journal; Member, Health Law Society; Member, Women’s Law Society and more. You can find her most recent publication, Cost of Loneliness: The Social Isolation Epidemic, in the Annals of Health Law Journal.

In addition to being an incredible divorce lawyer, she is the co-founder of InspireHer, which is an organization dedicated to inspiring young women to explore legal careers.

She is understanding and compassionate but also knows how to fight for what her clients deserve. If you are going through a divorce, Mary is the lawyer you want on your team.

Attorney Jennifer Rice

Jennifer is an Associate Attorney at STG Divorce Law. She concentrates her practice on all areas of family law, including dissolution of marriage, post-dissolution matters, parenting disputes, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. Jennifer is a tireless advocate for her clients and prides herself on communication, efficiency, and flexibility for each client’s needs.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Jennifer was selected as an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers Magazine. This honor is reserved only for the top 2% of lawyers in the State of Illinois.

Jennifer graduated from The John Marshall Law School with a concentration in Trial Advocacy. Jennifer served as a lead clinical student in the Veterans Legal Support Center and Clinic during law school. There, she assisted veterans with disability benefits appeals and discharge upgrades. Her experience in this realm has given her a Veterans Administration Accreditation, where she can assist veterans in all aspects of VA law, including domestic issues.

Before joining STG Divorce Law, Jennifer worked as a civil attorney, handling catastrophic injury or death cases. This tenure gave Jennifer unmatched litigation skills in the courtroom and depositions. Jennifer’s experience as both a civil attorney and trial lawyer has given her invaluable litigation skills in the courtroom. Her switch from working primarily on disaster-related matters to family law reflects not only vast differences between these types of incidents but also how she approaches each individual case • Jennifer cares deeply about making sure clients feel heard throughout every step of the divorce process.

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