Juan was professional at all times. He explained everything very well throughout the case/ court…read moreproceedings. His calm demeanor made me feel confident during the entire process. He made an excellent case for me that was able to convince the court to dismiss all charges. I highly recommend Juan Martinez and his professional staff.

From the owner: At the Law Office of Juan C. Martinez, LLC, we believe every client deserves more than just legal…read morerepresentation — they deserve understanding, guidance, and peace of mind. We take the time to explain every step, so you’re never left in the dark about your case. Our team is bilingual (English & Spanish) and deeply committed to serving families in Joliet and the surrounding communities. Whether it’s protecting your loved ones with estate planning, defending your rights in criminal court, or helping you get your driver’s license back, we walk beside you the whole way. We’re not just lawyers — we’re part of the community, here to educate, support, and fight for the people who trust us. En la Oficina Legal de Juan C. Martinez, LLC, creemos que cada cliente merece más que solo representación legal: merece comprensión, orientación y tranquilidad. Nos tomamos el tiempo de explicar cada paso, para que nunca se quede con dudas sobre su caso. Nuestro equipo es bilingüe (inglés y español) y está profundamente comprometido con servir a las familias de Joliet y las comunidades vecinas. Ya sea protegiendo a su familia con la planificación patrimonial, defendiendo sus derechos en la corte penal, o ayudándole a recuperar su licencia de conducir, estamos a su lado en todo momento. No somos solo abogados — somos parte de la comunidad, aquí para educar, apoyar y luchar por las personas que confían en nosotros.

Sarah Vahey was appointed as a court mediator after a very contentious and lengthy post-divorce…read morecase regarding my daughter. She was very professional, supportive, respectful & kind. She helped my ex and I navigate through our 5 year-long costly court file and thankfully (finally) helped us both come together to find a fair resolution. She is meticulous, knowledgeable and very thorough. As a woman, I can honestly say, I finally felt heard & vindicated. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. .

From the owner: At Vahey & Betouni, we help Joliet families work through divorce and other family law matters. We…read moreunderstand life is messy ... and divorce can be even messier. Divorce is one of the most emotionally-charged legal processes to work through. Disagreements about how to allocate marital property and assests, who gets custody of the kids and when, and whether or not one of you will have to support the other financially are quite common. It's easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated when you can't seem to agree. Our Illinois divorce and mediation attorneys offer the supportive guidance and legal experience needed to help our clients successfully get through these extremely personal and trying times.

Forces you to review their services before case is closed so you can guess how pressured their…read moreclients feel to give them 5 stars or they'll suffer. Absolutely awful from start to finish. Nickel and dimes you for even breathing. Do not trust google reviews. Theyre either bought or heavily influenced.

Horrible service. They start out great for advice but when it comes to a trial they fall apart…read more The bad part is, by the time you get to trial and figure this out, it is too late to switch attorneys and you simply just lose, and the loss effects you for the rest of your life. Stay away

UPDATED REVIEW - PUBLIC RECORD WARNING…read more To parents, litigants, and especially single mothers: This is not a casual review. This is a documented account based on billing records, transcripts, and court outcomes from Will County, Illinois (Case No. 16 F 759). It concerns the conduct of Antoinette Granholm, who previously served as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in my case. This update follows a forensic audit of her billing, communications, and investigative conduct. $14,836.25 Billed -- No In-Person Evaluation of the Mother Ms. Granholm billed $14,836.25 to determine the "best interests" of my child. She spent zero hours in in-person contact with me. Not one meeting. Not one evaluation. Not one attempt to observe me as a parent. A Guardian ad Litem is expected to assess both parents directly. Failing to meet one parent at all while making recommendations that impact custody is a fundamental failure of that responsibility. Repetitive "Clarification" Emails That Generated Billable Time My interactions consisted of: * Multi-page emails (4-5 pages at a time) * Repetitive and overlapping questions * Follow-up "clarifications" that re-asked the same questions in different wording This created a pattern: Ask Answer Re-ask Bill Repeat This did not move the investigation forward. It increased billable time while creating unnecessary confusion and financial strain. Anonymous Allegation Introduced Without Evidence Ms. Granholm referenced an "anonymous call" alleging both parents were unfit due to substance abuse. There was: * No identified source * No verification * No supporting documentation Despite this, the allegation was introduced into the case. Using unverified, anonymous claims in a custody matter--then billing for it--raises serious concerns about reliability and fairness. Investigative Imbalance While I received no in-person contact, billing records reflect hours spent communicating with the petitioner's extended family, including his sister. A Guardian ad Litem is supposed to evaluate parents--not substitute that responsibility with third-party narratives. Relevant Evidence Overlooked Documented evidence was provided regarding the other parent, including: * Multiple DUIs * Restraining orders * A pattern of concerning behavior Instead of focusing on current, relevant facts, the investigation emphasized decades-old, unrelated personal history. That is not balanced investigation. That is selective focus. Court Oversight Matters The Court did not adopt the sanctions Ms. Granholm supported. Judge Raymond Nash reviewed the matter independently and did not uphold her recommendations. That distinction is critical. It reflects that judicial oversight can and does correct flawed investigative conclusions. Clear Contrast With Current Case Progress Since that time, the case has continued under new GAL oversight. Without naming individuals, the difference is clear: * Direct communication is occurring * The process is more balanced * The focus is on current, relevant facts This contrast highlights how much impact a GAL's approach has on the outcome of a case. Documented Pattern I have identified 76 documented inconsistencies and false statements under oath within transcripts related to Ms. Granholm's involvement. This is not opinion. This is documented. Systemic Concern -- Read This Carefully This is bigger than one case. If this level of conduct becomes acceptable-- where a parent can be evaluated without ever being met, where anonymous claims can be introduced without evidence, and where billing outweighs actual investigation-- then the question becomes: What kind of system are our children and the next generation of parents walking into? Because one day, the judge who carefully reviews and corrects these failures will not be on the bench. And if the standard shifts toward unchecked recommendations and imbalanced investigations, parents will be walking into a system where decisions are made without full, fair evaluation. Let that sink in. FINAL STATEMENT A Guardian ad Litem is supposed to be the independent voice for a child's best interests. In this case, the record reflects: * No in-person evaluation of one parent * Reliance on unverified, anonymous information * Imbalanced investigative practices * Billing not aligned with meaningful inquiry That is not a difference of opinion. That is a failure of the role. ADVICE TO OTHER PARENTS * Request in-person meetings immediately * Document everything * Review billing entries line-by-line * Do not assume neutrality--verify it This review is shared for one reason: Accountability. Because what is allowed in one case becomes the standard in the next.

Recent Update: 2+ years later and even our original child therapist has recommended that the…read morecustody arrangement be amended and I thankfully now have 70% legal custody in a Motion to Modify Parenting Time with an Agreed Court Order. Hence, this is why, it is truly from my very own personal experience and therefore my own personal opinion, I would not use or recommend Adam Gynac. Again, as a minority female, I truly felt completely discriminated against.