Dr. Berry, J.D., is Department Chair and instructor for the Paralegal Studies Program Department within the Business, Social Science, and Public Services Division at McHenry County College (MCC). She is also the advisor of the Paralegal Students Association. Robin was born in Dallas, Texas. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and received a BA in Criminal Justice and Political Science in 1987. Dr. Berry received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1991. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas (1991) and the State of Illinois (2011). Robin practiced in many areas of law, but mainly focused on criminal prosecution and defense, juvenile delinquency, and abuse and neglect. She was a special public defender for McHenry County Juvenile Courts from April 2011 to August 2021. Robin moved to McHenry in 2008 and began teaching as an adjunct instructor at MCC. Robin teaches the following courses: Business Law, Business Ethics, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation and Discovery, Contracts, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Torts, and the Paralegal Internship Program. She is also an active member of the McHenry County Bar Association, serving on the Law Day Committee. As such, Robin is involved with educating elementary school, middle school, and high school students about Law Day and the legal system. She has participated in the high school mock trials for the Law Day events. Robin is a regular guest speaker in various high school classes and events across the McHenry County.

Professor Cieslik joined the Illinois State faculty as an assistant professor of Legal Studies in the Department of Politics and Government in August of 2020. Cieslik earned his Juris Doctorate (2004) from Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his B.S. in Criminal Justice (2001) from Washburn University. From 2012 – 2020, Cieslik was the Program Coordinator and Professor of Paralegal and Criminal Justice Studies at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois. From 2007 – 2012, Cieslik was a partner at Barmann, Bohlen, Jacobi & Cieslik, P.C. in Kankakee, Illinois with an emphasis on insurance defense and criminal defense. He also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Kankakee County from 2004 – 2007. Cieslik’s research interests focus on criminal law and procedure.

Ms. Zia is an Associate Professor and Program of Paralegal Studies with Lewis University. a Licensed Attorney in the State of Illinois and served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in the Criminal Appeals Division. During her time there, she argued cases before the federal district courts, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and filed motions in the U.S. Supreme Court. She also argued cases in all the state district appellate courts and frequently argued cases in the Illinois Supreme Court. In addition to bringing her law experience and expertise to students at Lewis, Ms. Zia obtained approval of the Undergraduate Paralegal Program by the American Bar Association for the university. She currently serves as a Sole Practitioner in Elmhurst and concentrates on Pro-Bono Cases.