Sandra Margaret Emerson

Sandra Margaret Emerson

also known as Sandy Emerson

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 28 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Oak Park, IL
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Real Estate, Foreclosure

715 Lake Street, Suite 420, Oak Park, IL

About Sandra

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Real Estate 40%

27 years

40%
Foreclosure 5%

17 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 295-395 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 27 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1998

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Licensed in Georgia for 28 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1997

Inactive Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Emerson Law Firm, LLC

715 Lake Street, Suite 420, Oak Park, IL, 60301-1413

Emerson Law Firm, LLC

1900 E. Golf Road, Suite 950, Schaumburg, IL, 60173

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Sandra Margaret Emerson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

5 star (9)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Fred | October 17, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Emerson Law Provides Superior Client Service

Concerning the practice of Real Estate, Sandy and Matt have exceeded my expectations. Whether circumstances have required relevant expertise of the evolving law or required negotiations, Emerson Law has consistently provided me with excellent service. I give Emerson my highest recommendation.

Posted by Laura | October 4, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Exceptional Attorney

Attorney Emerson and entire staff is nothing short of amazing. Very knowledgeable and willingly guided me through the closing on my new home. Over and above in helping me through the entire process. Quick to respond and provide me with everything I needed.

Posted by Alan | October 24, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Forclosure defense

Sandra and her attorneys mounted a very strong foreclosure defense for me. She was relentless and detailed. So detailed that she uncovered factual errors that opposing counsel had presented to the judge as true facts. After politely sharing this fact with opposing counsel they quickly offered a settl...ement that we laughed at. This was followed by a more serious settlement which I am still amazed by. Sandra and her team are perhaps the very best at what they do. If your mortgage company is trying to make you pay for their mistakes then, you need Sandra Emerson.

Posted by Ellen | September 13, 2011

If you're reading this, you need Sandra!

Sandra is handling 4 complicated foreclosure cases for me. I continue to be amazed at her ability to quickly analyze information and jump right to the pertinant issues. She quickly interprets and synthesizes elements of complex legal issues to develop an overall strategy for each particular case. ... Sandra is by far the best attorney with whom I have worked. She has demonstrated excellent legal skills in the managment of my cases for the best possible outcome in a timely fashion. Sandra keeps me well informed of legal proceedings and the status of my cases.

Posted by anonymous | February 27, 2011

Highly recommended!

Ms. Emerson recently helped me through a bankruptcy. Having never done this before, I didn't know what to expect. She explained things very clearly to me. She was very efficient and always answered my questions in a timely, compassionate and professinal manner. Having her on my side to walk me th...rough the process really put me at ease. I have since referred other people to her without hesitation. She is honest and has a genuine desire to help her clients.

See All Client Reviews

Sandra Margaret Emerson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sandra
Mark Joseph Grotto headshot
Mark Grotto

Residential real estate lawyer | Dec 04

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Sandy is a true real estate profession and was great to work with! It is refreshing to work with someone on the other side who understands real estate to ensure a smooth and successful closing. I look forward to working with her again."

Kenneth A. Michaels Jr. headshot
Kenneth Michaels

Foreclosure lawyer | Sep 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Sandra Emerson is without a doubt one of the most knowledgeable foreclosure attorneys I have met. She's great at her job."

Margaret Lynn Crowell headshot
Margaret Crowell

Foreclosure lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As a fellow member of the Association of Foreclosure Defense Attorneys, I know Sandra to be an extremely knowledgeable, professional, and ethical attorney. Sandra has been zealously assisting homeowners throughout the foreclosure crisis. I highly recommend Sandra."

Mila Gloria Novak headshot
Mila Novak

Foreclosure lawyer | Apr 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sandra is an experienced, knowledgeable and thorough attorney. From my encounters with her as a colleague in the legal profession, I know her to be a compassionate and zealous advocate for all her clients, especially in foreclosure defense and bankruptcy cases. I trust Sandra’s judgment and would certainly recommend her as a lawyer."

Richard Fredrick Kohn headshot
Richard Kohn

Foreclosure lawyer | Jul 27

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I heartily endorse this lawyer. I am "of counsel" to Sandra's firm. She screens her client prospects closely and accepts only those clients who have meritorious defenses and/or meritorious counter-claims and/or meritorious third-party claims. I agree with her view that being respected by the judges and being feared by opposing counsel are centrally important to obtaining the splendid results Sandra often obtains for her clients!"

Erica Crohn Minchella headshot
Erica Minchella

Foreclosure lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sandra Emerson is the attorney I most want to emulate! She has a tremendous grasp of both the law and procedure, she is a tenacious advocate for her clients in court, she has spot-on pleadings that capture salient arguments. I have known Sandra for more than two years and have never ceased being in awe of the depth and breadth of her knowledge."

Theodore Arthur Woerthwein headshot
Theodore Woerthwein

Foreclosure lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Sandra Emerson. I have followed Sandra's work with respect to foreclosure defense with great interest because it encompass many complex issues. She is considered a leader among her peers and is among the best litigating Attorneys in Illinois and is a passionate advocate for homeowners. Great about creative ways to make sure the homeowners’ message gets a full and fair hearing by the Court. Very helpful in tutoring and mentoring attorneys trying to get a foothold in foreclosure defense or just fighting to get an understanding of how to handle a complex issue. If you are looking for an attorney that deeply cares about your plight, look no further. You are in good hands."

Mark Andrew Laws headshot
Mark Laws

Foreclosure lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Sandra for almost two years. In that time, I have attended multiple conferences, meetings, seminars and court hearings where she was present. I personally know her to be knowledgeable about foreclosure practice and compassionate with her clients. Her skills combined with her desire to serve the best interests of her clients makes her a fantastic consumer advocate."

Ralanda Webb headshot
Ralanda Webb

Foreclosure lawyer | May 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Sandra delivers inspired defense for families in their true hour of need. Her dedication to providing aggressive defense of foreclosure actions is well known in our community. Sandra is an great resource to her clients and our legal community."

Steven Todd Schmall headshot
Steven Schmall

Foreclosure lawyer | Jan 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I would not hesitate to suggest that a client in need of an attorney to defend a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit use Ms. Emerson's services, as she has concentrated her practice in assisting clients in this area for over ten years."

Matthew C Swenson headshot
Matthew Swenson

Foreclosure lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Co-worker

"I have the unique pleasure of working with a delightfully pleasant and remarkably brilliant attorney in Ms. Emerson. Her knowledge of the mortgage foreclosure industry is genuinely astounding and her dedication to her clients is unrivaled. I emphatically endorse her work."

Gwendolyn M. Bryant headshot
Gwendolyn Bryant

Foreclosure lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Sandra Emerson for over ten years. Throughout this time I have observed her commitment to the legal interests of her clients. As a result, I have made numerous referrals to her, particularly in the area of mortgage foreclosure defense, an area in which she has great expertise."

John Alexander Zrnich headshot
John Zrnich

Foreclosure lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As a fellow member of the Illinois Bar, I strongly recommend Sandra Emerson to any homeowner who may need help for a foreclosure related matter. I have consulted Ms. Emerson numerous times over the past several years and found her to be conscientious, thorough, persistent, very knowledgeable, and one of those rare attorneys who genuinely cares about achieving a good result for her client."

Rick Lee Rogers headshot
Rick Rogers

Foreclosure lawyer | Jun 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sandra Emerson is an outstanding attorney. She has solid legal ethics and a strong compassion for her distressed homeowner clients. In the past, I have referred clients to Sandra. That’s one of the highest compliments an attorney can pay to another attorney. Few attorneys have competence in foreclosure defense and loan modification. Sandra is one of those few."

John Frederick Stimson headshot
John Stimson

Foreclosure lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've worked with Sandra on several foreclosure cases and she has done an outstanding job for her clients at all stages of their cases. Sandra is very knowledgeable on foreclosure law and stays current on new developments in the area. I highly recommend her to clients facing foreclosure."

Kevin F. Alexander headshot
Kevin Alexander

General practice lawyer | Oct 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sandra Emerson is a very fine attorney that I have known for several years. Ms. Emerson takes a personal interest in all of her clients and provides superior legal services."

Joseph Robert Brehm headshot
Joseph Brehm

Real estate lawyer | Jul 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sandra Margaret Emerson is an outstanding lawyer. She is smart and extremely competent in her areas of expertise. Sandra takes a genuine personal interest in her clients and their specific legal needs. She is someone you can truly trust to give you honest legal advice and excellent legal representation. I highly recommend her."

Steven Kandelman headshot
Steven Kandelman

Real estate lawyer | Jul 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Sandra is a bright, hard worker with unquestioned character. I would endorse her as a qualified and excellent practitioner."

View All Endorsements
Mark Joseph Grotto headshot
Mark Grotto

Real estate lawyer

Bernard James Slater Jr. headshot
Bernard Slater

Real estate lawyer

Margaret Lynn Crowell headshot
Margaret Crowell

Foreclosure lawyer

Daniel S. Khwaja headshot
Daniel Khwaja

Foreclosure lawyer

Mahmoud Faisal Hasan Elkhatib headshot
Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib

Foreclosure lawyer

Richard Fredrick Kohn headshot
Richard Kohn

Foreclosure lawyer

Erica Crohn Minchella headshot
Erica Minchella

Foreclosure lawyer

Theodore Arthur Woerthwein headshot
Theodore Woerthwein

Foreclosure lawyer

Ralanda Webb headshot
Ralanda Webb

Unknown lawyer

Stephen Thomas Saporta headshot
Stephen Saporta

Foreclosure lawyer

Steven Todd Schmall headshot
Steven Schmall

Litigation lawyer

Mark Andrew Laws headshot
Mark Laws

Foreclosure lawyer

Karen M. Kennedy headshot
Karen Kennedy

Foreclosure lawyer

Matthew C Swenson headshot
Matthew Swenson

Foreclosure lawyer

Mila Gloria Novak headshot
Mila Novak

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

John Alexander Zrnich headshot
John Zrnich

Foreclosure lawyer

Rick Lee Rogers headshot
Rick Rogers

Foreclosure lawyer

Gwendolyn M. Bryant headshot
Gwendolyn Bryant

Estate planning lawyer

John Frederick Stimson headshot
John Stimson

Foreclosure lawyer

Joseph Robert Brehm headshot
Joseph Brehm

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2023

Honorable Mention, Smokeball Beacon Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service

2018

Top Attorneys in the Western Suburbs - Real Estate, West Suburban Living Magazine

2018

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2017

Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2014

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2000 - Present

Managing Member, Emerson Law Firm, LLC

1999 - 2000

Attorney, Oak Brook Law Firm

1998 - 1999

Attorney, Fox & Grove, Chartered

1996 - 1996

Judicial intern, Hon. Ruben Castillo, Northern District of Illinois

Associations

2022 - Present

Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Present

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Vounteer attorney

2010 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

IL Association of Foreclosure Defense & Consumer Protection Attorneys

Member

1999 - Present

U.S. District Court, Central Dist. of Illinois

Admitted to practice

1998 - Present

U.S. District Court, Northern Dist. of Illinois

Admitted to practice

2012 - 2021

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Member

2011 - 2021

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

1997 - 2001

Chicago Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

U.S. Home Ownership, LLC v. Ortiz, 12 CH 5727

Debt discharged and lien on home completely released

U.S. Bank v. Kosterman, 2015 IL. App. (1st) 133627 (2015)

Trial court reversed and remanded by Appellate Court, First District

$35,000 cash for keys on investment property; foreclosure dismissed

Foreclosure case dismissed/ $35000 cash for keys.

Case dismissed after successful loan modification

Case dismissed.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology

JD - Juris Doctor

1993

Augusta State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

Max Gardner's Foreclosure Fraud & Mtg Securitization Boot Camp

Graduate

N/A

Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Boot Camp

Graduate

N/A

Max Gardner's Consumer Defense Academy - Reg X and Z Boot Camp

Graduate

Speaking Engagements

2024

2024

Real Estate Transactions 2023-2024 Short Sales, Foreclosure, and Bankruptcy

2024

Illinois Real Estate Law 101 Real Estate Closings Essentials

2024

Illinois Real Estate Law 101 Purchase and Sale of Real Estate

2023

Illinois Real Estate Closings from Start to Finish Proper Closing Procedures

2023

Illinois Real Estate Closings from Start to Finish The Closing Process Explained: A Practical Refresher

2020

Zoom Webinar

Real Estate Transactions in Today's Market

2020

Oak Park Senior Services Event

Buying, Selling & Investing in a Home

2016

Illinois Continuing Legal Education program, AFDA

Avoiding Claims & Complaints in Foreclosure Cases

2014

Featured guest on national TV - "Real Money with Ali Velshi," Al Jazeera America - foreclosure deficiency judgments Your Foreclosure Nightmare May Not be Over

2012

Oak Park Library Conference

Loss Mitigation Options for Underwater Condominiums

2012

Featured guest on Chicagoland Cable TV's 'Legal Action" for a two-part television series on foreclosure Foreclosure in Illinois

1999

The ADA: What is It and How Can Our Company Comply?

The Americans with Disabilities Act

1999

Sexual Harassment: Minimizing the Risk for Your Company

Sexual Harassment

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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