In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Lidia Serrano, of Serrano, Hanson & Hurtado, an Attorney at law & KCBA member along with host Lori Schmidt to discuss her life serving the wonderful and complex world of the Law and her exciting involvement with the KCBA.

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Misti Floyd and Karla Hunter, lawyers and current longtime members of the KCBA along with guest host Gina Armstrong, to discuss and share details about the past KCBA trip to SCOTUS in Washington D.C. Here they all reflect on their experiences together and explore what a life changing moment it was to be sworn into the highest court of the land.

***WARNING: MATURE CONTENT***

Contains mentions of: Murder, Sexual Assault & Crimes involving minors.

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Gary Johnson, of Camic Johnson Law. A Former Kane County State’s Attorney, Private Criminal Attorney at law & KCBA member along with host Lori Schmidt to discuss his debut novel "Luck is a Talent" and his upcoming retirement from life in the law.

"Luck is a Talent" is a true crime memoir that delves into his life and career as a Kane County State's Attorney and as a private lawyer. The book gives a behind-the-scenes look into the high profile, historic case of Jeanine Nicarico from Naperville, IL and many other cases that formed Gary Johnsons story as a well-respected Attorney in Illinois.

If you are interested purchasing a copy, please call Gary Johnson at 630-859-0135 or click HERE

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Dorothy Voigt, Attorney at Law to discusser upcoming retirement, her exploration of QDRO and QILDRO drafting and filing and her vast experience with the KCBA Bar Show!

**MATURE WARNING**

Contains discussions of Domestic Violence and Murder

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Greg Sams, now the Former Assistant State's Attorney along with host Lori Schmidt , to discuss his retirement and reflect on his long 29 year career with the law. With over 35 murder trials under his belt, his impact will be everlasting as he fought to get the many people of Kane County their justice.

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Gina Armstrong, Executive Director of the Kane County Bar Association along with host Lori Schmidt , to discuss and share details about the launch of the SafeRoads Driving School program launching today, April 1st!

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Len Solfa as he shares about his recent trip to Antarctica. Len begins by discussing his legal background before diving into his long-standing passion for travel and what inspired him to journey to one of the most remote places on earth.

He walks us through the planning process, what it takes to reach Antarctica, and what the experience was like once he arrived. From what he saw and did while there to just how cold it really was (even though the week he was there, it was colder in Chicago), Len reflects on the rarity and privilege of visiting Antarctica. This episode offers a fascinating look at adventure beyond the courtroom and the unforgettable experience of traveling to Antarctica.

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by KCBA members Nydia Molina and Deborah Lang, along with host Lori Schmidt, as they reflect on their experience being admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States during the KCBA’s 2019 admissions trip to Washington, D.C. They reflect on the trip and being admitted to the Supreme Court, what the process entails, and why it was such an amazing experience.

With another KCBA Supreme Court admissions trip on the horizon, Nydia and Deb offer practical advice for members preparing to attend and insight on how to make the most of the opportunity. They also discuss their ongoing journey visiting supreme courts across the country—how the idea began, what they have learned along the way, and where their next stop may be.

They also shared their experiences in the January/February edition of Bar Briefs, kicking off a series that will continue in upcoming issues. This conversation offers inspiration and guidance for attorneys interested in admission to the nation’s highest court and beyond.

Nydia Molina is Assistant Corporation Counsel and Community-Based Prosecutor for the City of Aurora, where she oversees legal matters for a variety of City departments including policy development, police officer training, and municipal ordinance drafting. A graduate of DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 2002), Nydia is Vice President of the Kane County Bar Association and remains active in the legal community.

Deborah Lang is an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Aurora since 2018.  Prior to that, she worked in both the civil and criminal divisions of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2006. A graduate of Northern Illinois University (J.D. 2006), she is the current co-chair for the KCBA Local Government Law Committee. 

In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by KCBA member, Co-Chair of the Civil Practice Committee, and attorney Chris Cosentino of The Cosentino Law Firm, LLC. Chris shares the story of how he “accidentally” found his way to law school—and why, in the end, he knows he made the right career choice. He discusses what he enjoys most about practicing law and reflects on working alongside his family, each with their own distinct practice areas, offering insight into the unique family dynamic. Chris also highlights upcoming seminars hosted by the Civil Practice Committee and closes by sharing advice for young attorneys navigating the early stages of their careers.

Chris primarily concentrates his practice in the area of general civil litigation, which encompasses a variety of matters, including: contractual disputes, personal injury, landlord/tenant, construction and property development, trademark and copyright, professional negligence, and shareholder-related litigation. Chris also has years of experience with residential and commercial real estate transactions. Chris has been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the N.D. of Illinois, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the N.D. of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

On this episode of On the Bar, we welcome Rachel Hernandez and Kristin Louis of Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC for an insightful conversation on family law and the growing role of collaborative divorce.

Rachel and Kristin begin by sharing their individual journeys to law school, their professional backgrounds, and what led them to focus their practices on family law. They discuss how their individual paths naturally led them to collaborative divorce and why this approach aligns with their shared values as attorneys.

Throughout the episode, they explain how collaborative divorce differs from traditional divorce, emphasizing its focus on reducing unnecessary conflict and helping families navigate separation with greater intention and support. Rather than pitting parties against one another in court, the collaborative process allows clients to work through their issues out of court with the guidance of a collaborative team, creating space for healthier communication and more sustainable outcomes—especially for co-parents.

Rachel and Kristin also address common misconceptions about collaborative divorce, walk listeners through how the process works, and discuss what happens if the collaborative process is unsuccessful. They highlight the challenges inherent in family law and divorce, noting that while there are legal issues to resolve, there are often significant social and emotional components that require proper resources and support. By helping clients access the right tools and professionals, they aim to change the tone and trajectory of the divorce experience.

The conversation also covers the upcoming Kane County Bar Foundation NEST (Neutral Exchange Supervised Time) coming to Kane County—a safe, neutral space designed to support children and families through supervised parenting time and child exchanges when needed. Rachel and Kristin explain why this resource is so impactful and the many benefits it will bring to the families of Kane County.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the importance of building relationships within the local legal community and how involvement with the Kane County Bar Association has been a meaningful benefit in their careers.

Rachel Hernandez, an experienced Collaborative Family Lawyer, is a founding attorney at Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC. With a focus on resolving family legal issues outside of court, Rachel provides practical advice on matters such as assets, debts, maintenance, and child custody, prioritizing the best interests of children. She engages qualified professionals and adopts a comprehensive approach to ensure well-informed decisions and emotional support for clients and their families.

A conscientious, compassionate attorney with a background in family law and juvenile abuse and neglect. Kristin has focused her legal career on helping children and families navigate life changing family legal matters with a focus on the best interests of the children. Kristin is passionate about using alternative dispute resolution options in the family law area and joined Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC with that goal in mind.