Ms. DeSana is a partner with Merel Family Law. She is a skilled and compassionate attorney who is dedicated to helping her clients navigate difficult situations. Ms. DeSana received a B.A. degree in Political Science from Wayne State University. She continued her education at UIC Law School where she received her J.D. degree and a certificate in Trial Advocacy. While studying at UIC Law School, she spent her time working with the school’s Pro Bono Clinic helping underserved communities by representing individuals in bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings as well as victims of excessive force in Federal Court. While in law school, Ms.DeSana also clerked at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office Juvenile Justice Division. During law school, she tried two jury trials in Federal Court with the school’s Pro Bono Clinic and numerous bench trials at the Public Defender’s office. Following law school, she spent a year of service with Americorps VISTA where she worked at First Defense Law Aid and personally assisted the organization in greatly expanding its volunteer network and formed partnerships with law schools, large law firms and the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. After her year of service, she began her career in family law at another boutique family law firm where she worked on hundreds of family law matters.

Ms. Fitzpatrick is a partner with Merel Family Law. She believes that a large part of her job is being a problem solver. Ms. Fitzpatrick also understands that people are often misunderstood. She has a unique ability to collaborate with family law clients by listening to her client’s concerns, evaluating multiple courses of action, and ensuring that they have the tools they need to be successful and comfortable after litigation ends. Ms. Fitzpatrick is also frequently appointed by the Court to serve as a child representative or guardian-ad-litem, representing children in high-conflict domestic relations matters. In addition, she is approved to serve as a parenting coordinator in Cook County, Illinois—a role that allows her to assist parents in implementing and complying with parenting plans, resolving disputes, and focusing on the best interests of the children. Ms. Fitzpatrick has written and published articles on numerous issues, including financial support, grandparents’ rights, and immigration issues for unaccompanied minors. She has also given presentations on a variety of family law topics. Ms. Fitzpatrick practices in Cook, DuPage, Will, McHenry, and Lake Counties. She is licensed to practice in the State of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Supreme Court. She is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Mr. Lapidus is a partner with the Law Office of Russell D. Knight. He graduated from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana majoring in Integrative Biology and matriculated to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana’s College of Law earning his J.D. degree. Mr. Lapidus is licensed in both Illinois and Florida, and he practices family law in both states. He specializes in complex litigation and has completed the eight-day National Family Law Trial Institute’s Kolodny Trial Skills Course. Prior to specializing in family law, Mr. Lapidus defended prison medical providers from Constitutional claims brought under Section 1983 in Federal Court.

Mr. Markey is Principal with the Law Offices of Patrick Markey P.C. He helps clients minimize the destruction of divorce whether it be through the collaborative law model, the court process or mediation. His focus is on complex family law cases and representing professionals and their spouses who value a proactive solution orientated approach to their divorce. Mr. Markey is a strong advocate of the collaborative law and mediation dispute resolution methods for their ability to custom-craft solutions, minimize conflict and usually reduce the time of a case. Not only is the firm experts on family law, but they understand the impact of divorce on children and help the client’s develop co-parenting relationships. Mr. Markey was selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2024. This distinction is limited to the top five percent of
lawyers in each practice area.

Ms. Onorato is a partner with Beattie|Onorato Family Law, LLC. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a dual degree in Psychology and Gender Studies. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Onorato worked in the non-profit sector as the director of a group home for abused and neglected adolescents. She graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2004 with a certificate in family law and has since concentrated her practice exclusively on family law matters, including: negotiating and litigating complex divorce and custody matters; drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; and appellate work involving complicated child and spousal support issues, civil unions, child custody and removal (relocation) and distribution of marital assets. Ms. Onorato received a certificate in divorce mediation from Northwestern University, and she is a frequent author and lecturer on family law subjects. Nicole serves on the DePaul University Family Law Advisory Board, and volunteers with the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (Ascend Justice).

Mr. Rakowski is principal attorney at LSR Family Law Group. For more than 30 years, Mr. Rakowski has been providing compassionate, yet aggressive, family law representation to his clients. Mr. Rakowski has earned his reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a talented negotiator, offering proficiency in both litigation and alternative methods of dispute resolution, including collaborative law, to solve clients’ legal challenges. Mr. Rakowski began his legal career in 1990 after earning his law degree from John Marshall Law School and being admitted to the Illinois State Bar. In addition to his ability to practice law in all Illinois state courts, he has admittance to practice in the courtrooms of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. As an author and lecturer, he is a valued member of numerous organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Decalogue Society, and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. Mr. Rakowski is a member of the Family Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. In that capacity he reviews and provides critical analysis on legislation impacting the practice of family law.