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About Elizabeth
Biography
I have practiced law in McHenry County for about 20 years. I grew up in the community and still make it my home today. I am a Partner in KRV Legal, Inc. which means I and my 2 business partners own the company. I am proud to live and work in this community and to co-own a small business that is really focused on providing excellent legal representation to our clients and a family like working environment for our staff. We are aggressive trial lawyers who are willing to spend the time to get to know our clients and to understand each unique case as each client is his or her own person and comes to us with his or her own unique circumstances.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 24 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Elizabeth Marie Vonau
125 South Virginia Street, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
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Elizabeth Marie Vonau's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
24 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Oscar | September 03, 2015 | Criminal Defense
DO NOT HIRE THIS LAWYER
I hired Beth Vonau for a DUI that I received about a year ago. It was my first DUI so I was very worried about it so after talking to about ten other lawyers about it whom I couldn't afford I hired Beth Vonau. She first told me that because of my situation-I have Huntington's Chorea-that all of the t...
Elizabeth Vonau
Replied last September 03, 2015Perhaps your memory of the case is unclear. My memory is crystal clear. When we spoke of your case I informed you that any field sobriety exercises would be useless given your Huntington's diagnosis. However - that did not negate the breath sample of .113. There was a car crash, a breath sample over .08 and an admission that you drove the car and crashed it. 8 citations were issued. In the end I had 6 citations dismissed. 1 of the DUI citations was pled to with court supervision, no conviction and a fine in the amount of $800. 1 citation for leaving the scene of an accident was reduced from a misdemeanor to a petty offense of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident again with court supervision, no conviction, no fine, court costs only totally $181. In addition there was $500 in restitution to fix damage done to private property due to the car crash. The orders were drafted by myself, I provided them to the Court Clerk who then entered the numbers into the computer and cost sheets were generated. Once I had all the final costs you and I sat in the second conference room on the left and reviewed the orders. I sat in the chair beside the door and you sat in the chair with you back to the door. On the orders it is clearly written that there is $500 in restitution, $800 fine, costs only on the failure to reduce speed ticket and a separate order documenting the total costs including the fine on the DUI totaling $2,316. On that form I also added a notation as to the $500 in restitution. Your signature in on the sentencing order , the trial waiver and the cost sheet. After you and I reviewed the whole of the orders we appeared in front of the Judge where he reviewed the sentence and specifically asked you if you could afford to pay the fine and costs. You indicated you had the ability to pay and the Clerk even made a notation as to this admission by you in the Court’s file. After Court you reported to the Compliance Office on the 4th floor where a compliance officer reviewed the orders with you again including the total costs and restitution. Now, nearly a year later you claim you had no idea what was done. This is simply untrue. Prior to my receiving notice of this unfair and false review you contacted me via email and asked if I could assist you in getting additional time to finish paying the fines, fees and costs. I agreed to come to court with you to help you get additional time and I offered to do this at no additional cost to you as you indicated that funds were tight due to a family situation. It was after this agreement that I received this spurious review. When we met in court I reviewed all of the above with you and you indicated that there must just have been a misunderstanding. Given that a week has gone by and you have not changed this review I must now defend myself publicly. As I told you in Court, the company I am a Partner in has 8 employees. I take it very seriously that the work I do and my public image plays a role in maintaining these employees and being the primary income for their households. Given the specific facts in your case, the results in your matter were excellent and despite the fact that you posted this review I still showed up to assist you in extending your supervision, for free, and on time.
Posted by Danny | November 17, 2014
Love this attorney!
Elizabeth has handled numerous cases for me. Every case she handled it was clear what should be done, how it was going to be done, what the best outcome in my cases would be and how she would assist me in attaining that outcome. In a world where money is tight and you don't know who to trust, I put m...
Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2014
Best lawyer I have ever had
Elizabeth was one of the most knowledgeable lawyers I have ever worked with. She was always on time she never left me feeling like I didn't know what was going on with my case . She always returned my phone calls when I had questions . Her assistants were always very helpful and knowledgable . If I...
Posted by anonymous | August 19, 2014 | Real Estate
Ms. Vonau is an exceptional professional
Ms. Vonau was extremely professional in her dealings with all parties involved in a real estate transaction. The transaction was more complicated and extended than most closings and Ms. Vonau kept all involved informed and on task. When last minute issues threatened the completion of the closing, Ms....
Posted by anonymous | January 21, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Very competent and went the extra mile to handle my case
I could not be happier with choosing Elizabeth to represent me in my recent legal case. She was extremely competent, explaining to me the ins and outs of the procedure and letter of the law, offering many options and potential outcomes to help me strategize my case. After achieving favorable resu...
Elizabeth Marie Vonau's Lawyer Endorsements
"Elizabeth is a fierce advocate who truly cares about each and every client. She has a true passion for law and for helping others and this attitude is always present in her work. I highly endorse this lawyer."
"Elizabeth is very skilled and respected attorney with a direct and honest manner."
"I highly endorse Ms. Vonau. I have worked closely with Ms. Vonau since 2007. She is an excellent reputable criminal defense attorney that always obtains favorable results for her clients. She goes above and beyond to ensure her clients are content with the outcome of their cases."
Jeremiah Stephan
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer | Sep 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Ms. Vonau does wonderful work here on Avvo. She uses her extensive knowledge to answer countless questions **for free** and not once have I seen her ask for anything in return. She one of the good ones and I highly recommend her services."
"I highly endorse Mrs. Vonau. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who produces great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact her for help."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Elizabeth for several years as she is attorney that handles criminal cases in many of the same courthouses as I do. She is a highly skilled and effective advocate for her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Elizabeth provides excellent and detailed responses to legal inquiries, fully advising individuals of the best way to proceed with their case."
"Mr. Elizabeth's advice is professional and well-reasoned"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Elizabeth is a very intelligent and hard working attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is caring and very intelligent."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've worked with Beth for more than six years now, and know she is one of the most hard-working and conscientious attorneys around. Beth genuinely cares about our clients, and is willing to go to battle any day to protect them. But she is also a skilled negotiator, and doesn't pick fights when it doesn't help the client. In short, she is exceptionally capable, while still expressing the "human side" to her legal work, endearing herself to her clients and other professionals."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Attorney Vonau's strong background is one of the many reasons that I endorse her. Her commitment and clear responses to AVVO.com inquiries is a testament to her client focused practice."
"I have had the opportunity to read Ms. Vonau's answers to questions about Illinois law on AVVO, and she always demonstrates excellent legal knowledge while providing sound advice. She has developed a reputation as a person who fights for her client's rights in the courtroom. I gladly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Elizabeth Marie Vonau as a dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled practitioner who cares for her client. Counsel Vonau continues to promote the humanitarian values of DePaul University helping the public and caring for the reasonable and just resolution of the legal matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Vonau is a well respected, generous contributor on Avvo. I would recommend her to anyone needing an experienced advocate."
"I endorse this lawyer. My firm has referred various matters to Elizabeth over the years, and her work is always excellent."
Alexandra Brinkmeier
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Experience
Honors
2017
Peace and Justice Award 2017, Turning Point
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
"10 Best" DUI Attorneys for Illinois, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
2015
Top Contributor, AVVO
2015
Top Ten Law Firms, American Institute of DUI Attorneys
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Best in Business, Small Business Commuity Assocation
2014
Top Contributor, AVVO
2014
Client's Choice Award, AVVO
2013
McHenry County's Best Under 40, Shaw Media and McHenry County Business Journal
2013
Featured Attorney, AVVO
2013
Client's Choice Award, AVVO
2013
Top Contributor, AVVO
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Partner, KRV Legal, Inc.
2008 - 2015
Partner, Kililis, Ridings & Vonau, P.C.
2006 - 2007
Associate Attorney, George Kililis & Associatess, P.C.
2004 - 2005
Owner, Law Offices of Elizabeth Vonau
2002 - 2004
Assistant State's Attorney, McHenry County State's Attorney Office
Associations
2019 - Present
McHenry County Bar Association Board of GovernorsChair for Family Law ADR
2019 - Present
22nd Judicial Circuit Mediation Advisory CouncilAttorney Mediator Member
2018 - Present
22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating CommitteeMember
2018 - Present
Girls on the Run NW IllinoisCoach
2016 - Present
McHenry County Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
Crystal Lake Chamber of CommerceMember
2016 - Present
McHenry County Substance Abuse CoalitionMember
2001 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2016 - 2016
Lake County Opioid InitiativeMember
2015 - 2017
National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100Memeber
2008 - 2017
Lake County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - 2008
Crystal Lake JayceesMember
2005 - 2006
CASA McHenry CountyBoard Member
2005 - 2006
Turning PointBoard Member
2003 - 2006
19th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Advisory CommitteeMember
2003 - 2006
McHenry County Domestic Violence Advisory CommitteeMember
Education
2001
DePaul University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
Northern Illinois University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
Law Day McHenry County
Lawyer in the Classroom (bi-lingual classroom)
2019
CASA Light of Hope Breakfast
Co-Master of Ceremony
2018
CASA Light of Hope Breakfast
Co-Master of Ceremony
2017
Light of Hope Breakfast
Co-Master of Ceremony
2016
Light of Hope Breakfast
Co-Master of Ceremony
2015
McHenry County CASA Light of Hope Breakfast
Co-Master of Ceremony
2014
Light of Hope Breakfast
Speaker: They are all OUR children.
2004
Quarterly Training for police officers and other service providers
Family Violence Topics including awareness, detection, prevention, intervention, arrest procedures and prosecutorial procedures.
2003
Quarterly Training for police officers and other service providers
Family Violence Topics including awareness, detection, prevention, intervention, arrest procedures and prosecutorial procedures.
Publications
2000
Co-authored a reference book on how to obtain and maintain tax exempt status in each of the fifty states. This book was published through the Civic Federation of Chicago.
A Tax Survey
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Im married in IL my husband lost his job & now his ex wife stated she will file a motion for me to pay her can she do that?
10 Feb 2021
Q&A
Why doesn't my child support come in on a regular basis?
13 Feb 2021
Q&A
What if my underage girlfriend pregnant?
14 Mar 2016