Marie Sarantakis
1105 Burlington Ave.Western Springs, Illinois 60558
224-399-6767
www.northshorelegal.org
EDUCATION
2012 - 2016
Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude
The John Marshall Law School - Chicago, IL
Member of The John Marshall Law Review
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude
Carthage College - Kenosha, WI
Majors: Honors Political Science & Philosophy
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016 - Present
Founding Attorney
North Shore Law Group, Ltd., Waukegan, IL
Representing clients in family law matters including divorce, orders of protection, guardianship, premarital and postnuptial agreements, parenting time, child support, maintenance, parentage, and the enforcement and/or modification of post-decree judgments. Ms. Sarantakis also protects clients’ rights in criminal defense and traffic matters, including but not limited to, DUIs, domestic violence, and felony and misdeamor crimes.
2013 - Present
Attorney at Law (Former Law Clerk)
The Law Offices of Umberto S. Davi, P.C., Western Springs, IL
Advocating for clients in matrimonial and family law matters in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties.
2015
Judicial Extern
The Honorable Thomas L. Kilbride, Supreme Court of Illinois
Drafted bench memoranda for civil and criminal cases going before the Illinois Supreme Court for oral argument. Conducted comparative and qualitative research to assist the Access to Justice Commission.
2014
Student Instructor
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL
Assisted first-year law students in navigating course materials in Professor Scott Shepard's Property class. Hosted mid-term and final review sessions. Graded assignments and aided students with revisions. Held office hours on a weekly basis. (Volunteer Position)
2013 - 2014
Research Assistant
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL
Aided in preparing Professor Diane Kaplan's American constitutional law textbook, "An Introduction to the American Legal System", formerly published by The People's Republic of China, for publication in the United States. Assisted in making changes to Professor Kaplan's article "Who Are The Mothers Who Need Safe Haven Laws? An Empirical Investigation of Mothers Who Kill, Abandon, or Safely Surrender Their Newborns", published in Volume XXIV of the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Society, & Gender.
2010 - 2012
Research Assistant
Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
Collaborated with Professor Wayne Thompson in conducting original research on "The Social Ecology of Congregations" by interviewing congregation leaders and laypersons, performing ethnographic field research, and analyzing survey data. Presented respective findings at academic conferences.
2009 - 2012
Student Instructor
Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
Served as a student instructor for two courses, Sociological Research Methods and Constitutional Law. Tutored students by assisting them with interpreting case law and utilizing S.P.S.S software for regression analysis, cross-tabs, indexing, univariate frequency distributions, ANOVAs, and T-Tests to assess potential policy directions using public opinion data.
2009
Undergraduate Judicial Extern
The Honorable Mary Wagner, Kenosha County Courthouse
Observed criminal case proceedings in the courtroom of the Chief Judge in the 2nd Judicial District.
2008 - 2009
Undergraduate Extern
Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, Kenosha, IL
Attended preliminary hearings, managed case files, performed clerical duties, and reconstructed old file library.
2007 - 2008
Undergraduate Extern
Kenosha County Public Defender’s Office, Kenosha, IL
Conducted legal reseach in LexisNexis, assisted attorneys with trial preparation, performed mock trial role-play exercises with attorneys and clients, prepared witnesses, and drafted motions.
AWARDS/HONORS
- 2017 – National Family Law Academy – Top 10 Family Law Attorneys Under 40 (Illinois)
- 2016 - CALI Excellence for the Future Award – White Collar Crime
- 2015 – Public Interest Advocate Award, Diversity Scholarship Foundation
- 2015 – Anthony J. Fornelli Emerging Leaders Award, Justinian Society of Lawyers
- 2014 - CALI Excellence for the Future Award – Constitutional Law
- 2014 - CALI Excellence for the Future Award – Evidence
- 2010 – Wingspread Fellow of the Johnson Foundation
- 2010 – Wisconsin Sociological Association Undergraduate Student Paper Award
- 2010 – American Criminal Justice Association Undergraduate Student Paper Award
- 2007 – Clausen Scholar – Full Academic Undergraduate Scholarship, Carthage College
- 2007 – Patterson Leadership Award, Lake Forest College
- 2006 - Southeastern Wisconsin DECA Fashion Merchandising Management Award
- 2005 & 2006 - President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence
MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Fellow, ABA Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division, 2017 - 2018
- Chair, ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Committee, 2017 - 2018
- Vice Chair, ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Committee, 2016
- Content Editor, Young Lawyers Division Family Law Newsletter, 2016
- State & Local Bar Outreach (Executive Appointment), 2016
- 7th Circuit Lieutenant Governor, Law Student Division, 2015
Association for Conflict Resolution, 2015
- Member, Chicago Chapter, 2015
Chicago Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Chair, Law Student Division, 2016 - Present
Cook County Bar Association, 2017 – Present
Decalogue Society of Lawyers, 2017 – Present
DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, 2016 - Present
DuPage County Bar Association, 2015 - Present
- Judge William Bauer Scholarship Recipient, 2015
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, 2011 - 2016
- Law Student Scholarship Recipient, 2014
Illinois Legal Aid Online, 2013 - Present
- Young Professionals Board Member, 2013 – Present
- Host Committee Member, ILAO 7th Annual Fundraising Gala, 2017
Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program, 2016 - Present
- Associate Board Member, 2016 – Present
- Trained Intervention Volunteer, 2016 - Present
Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association, 2017 – Present
Illinois State Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Assembly Member (Elected), 2017 – Present
- Chair, Exploratory Committee on Fundraising Efforts, Young Lawyers Division, 2017 – Present
- Co-Chair, Speed Networking Planning Committee, 2017 - Present
- Delegate to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, 2017 - Present
- Law Related Education Committee, Volunteer for Lawyers in the Classroom, 2017 - Present
- Law Related Education Committee, Volunteer for Mock Trial Tournaments, 2016 - Present
- Committee Member (Appointed by the President), Young Lawyers Division, 2014 – Present
- Newsletter Editor, Young Lawyers Division, 2015 – Present
- Law Student Committee Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Division, 2016 – Present
- Committee Member (Appointed by the President), Task Force on Rule 711, 2015 - 2017
- Social Media Content Editor, ISBA President’s Page - Facebook, 2015 - 2016
- Committee Member (Appointed by the President), Family Law Section Council, 2015-2016
- Law Student Representative, The John Marshall Law School, 2014 – 2016
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2016 – 2017
- Winter Social Committee, 2017
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2017 – Present
The John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, 2015 – Present
- Director – 2017 - Present
- Board of Trustees - Student Liaison Committee, 2015 – 2016
- Freedom & Distinguished Service Award Committee, 2015
The John Marshall Law School Children & Family Law Society, 2017 – Present
- Alumni Relations Chair, 2017 - Present
Justinian Society of Lawyers – Cook County, 2013 - Present
- JMLS Law Student Chapter President, 2014 - 2015
- Law Student Scholarship Recipient, 2013 & 2014
Justinian Society of Lawyers – DuPage County, 2016 – Present
Kane County Bar Association, 2016 – Present
Lake County Bar Association, 2014 – Present
National Association of Women Lawyers, 2014 – Present
National Italian American Bar Association, 2016 - Present
Northwest Suburban Bar Association, 2013 – 2016
McHenry County Bar Association, 2014 – 2015
Phi Delta Phi International Honor Society, 2013 - Present
- Chief Magister, Stevens Inn, 2014 – 2015
- Balfour Scholarship Recipient, 2015
State Bar of Wisconsin, 2014 - Present
- Family Law Executive Board Liaison, 2014 – 2015
Will County Bar Association, 2014 – 2015
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, 2013 - Present
- Committee Member, Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Awards, 2016
- Committee Member, Community Outreach and Access to Justice, 2016 - Present
- Social Media Content Editor, Facebook, 2015 - Present
- Lead Co-Chair, Communications & Social Media Committee, 2015 – 2016
- ISBA Family Law CLE Roundtable, Session 5 on Property Division, Chicago, IL (May 18, 2017)
- ISBA Family Law CLE Roundtable, Session 4 on Defense of Allegations of Serious Child Endangerment, Chicago, IL (March 2, 2017)
- The John Marshall Law School Children & Family Law Society, Funny Business: Effectively Using Humor in Lawyer Marketing, Chicago, IL (February 27, 2017)
- ISBA Family Law CLE Roundtable, Session 3 on Impeachment of Expert Witnesses, Chicago, IL
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND CLE LECTURES
- ISBA Family Law CLE Roundtable, Session 2 on Admissions Offered Prior to Trial, Chicago, IL
(November 17, 2016)
- ISBA Family Law CLE Roundtable, Session 1 on Pleadings, Chicago, IL (September 14, 2016)
- Featured guest on Fox News Radio – The Dr. Don Show (2014)
- Society for the Scientific Study of Religion Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI (2011)
- Association for the Sociology of Religion Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV (2011)
- Wisconsin Sociological Association Joint Conference, La Crosse, WI (2011)
- Wisconsin Political Science Association, Milwaukee, WI (2011)
- Wisconsin Institute of Peace & Conflict Resolution Studies Annual Conference, Fon du Lac, WI (2009)
PUBLICATIONS
Five Tips for New Lawyers Starting Their Own Practice, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, June 2017, Vol. 61, No. 6
What Family Law Practicioners Need to Know About Cyberstalking, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Family Law Division Newsletter, May 2017, Vol. 60, No. 10
Five Traits of a Successful Family Law Attorney, Illinois State Bar Association (co-authored with Umberto Davi)
ISBA Family Law Division Newsletter, April 2017, Vol. 60, No. 9
Understanding the Fundamentals of Pet Trusts, American Bar Association
ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Newsletter, Winter 2017, Vol. 1, No. 1
Five Shocking Divorce Statistics, American Bar Association
ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Newsletter, Winter 2017, Vol. 1, No. 1
Marie Sarantakis Interviews Celebrity Divorce Attorney Randall Kessler, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, February 2017, Vol. 61, No. 3
Eight Quick Tips for Drafting Family Law Complaints, American Bar Association
ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Newsletter, Fall 2016, Vol. 1, No. 1
Five Ways to Enhance Your Credentials as a Family Law Practitioner, American Bar Association
ABA Young Lawyers Division Family Law Newsletter, Fall 2016, Vol. 1, No. 1
Announcing the New ISBA Website for Young Lawyers, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, October 2016, Vol. 61, No. 2
A New Option for New Lawyers: Your New Downtown Office, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, August 2016, Vol. 61, No. 1
Remembering Justice Thomas Fitzgerald, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Bench & Bar Newsletter, June 2016 Vol. 46, No. 9
Are Young Lawyers Less Civilized?, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
2Civility Blog, May 18, 2016.
ISBA BOG & Assembly Approve Proposed Amendment to Rule 711, Lake County Bar Association
The Docket, Volume 23, May 2016
Justinians Donate Over $7,000 at Children's Endowment Dinner, Justinian Society of Lawyers
Justinian Society Newsletter, Spring 2016
ISBA Approves Proposed 711 Rules, Justinian Society of Lawyers
Justinian Society Newsletter, Spring 2016
Ten Changes in Family Law Practitioners Need to Know in 2016: A Brief Summary of Modifications to the IMDMA, ISBA Family Law Newsletter, December 2015, Vol. 59, No. 6
Eight Tips for Law Students Taking the MPRE, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, December 2015, Vol. 60, No. 3
How to Use LinkedIn to It’s Maxiumum Potential, Illinois State Bar Association (co-authored with Erin Wilson)
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, December 2015, Vol. 60, No. 3
Five Methods to Transcend from Zealous to Zen, Womens Bar Association of Illinois
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Newsletter, Fall 2015
Your Law Review Article was Rejected. Now What?, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, August 2015, Vol. 60, No. 1
Taking the “Me” Out of Mediation, Ms. JD
Ms. JD Blog, March 29, 2015
Is Law School Worth the Investment?, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, Fall 2014
Five Things I Wish I Had Known as a First-Year Law Student, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, February 2014, Vol. 58, No. 4
Five Simple Rules to Protect Your Reputation as a Law Student, Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, Summer 2013
Essentially Raw, Adrikos Media Press
Raw Food Guide, Amazon.com Top 100 Best-Selling E-Books (Summer 2012)
Sociological Imagination, Spring 2011, Volume 47
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
- Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Associate Board Member, 2016 – Present
- Illinois Legal Aid Online, Young Professionals Board Member, 2013 – Present
- Orphans of the Storm, Off-Site Adoption Event Volunteer, 2012 – 2014
- Daughters of Penelope, Member, 2012 - 2013
- Kenosha Public Museums, Paleontology Docent, 2009 - 2011
- Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Lake County, Mentor, 2006 – 2008
CERTIFICATIONS
- Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Leadership Institute, 2016
- Center For Conflict Resolution, 40-hour Mediation Training, 2015
- Junior Statesmen of America, Georgetown University Summer Institute, 2007