Spesia & Taylor - Attorneys At Law

09/30/2025

Seeking Experienced Associate Attorney

The law firm of Spesia & Taylor is seeking an experienced associate attorney to join our well-established, dynamic, AV-rated practice. We have been proudly representing clients in Will County and throughout the State of Illinois for over 125 years. With a multitude of practice areas, which includes the representation of municipal clients as well as an active litigation practice, the attorneys at Spesia & Taylor have developed a proven track record of success.

The ideal candidate will have:

• One to five years of experience. Preference will be given to candidates that have practiced municipal law and/or litigation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• The ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative environment
• Desire to grow with the firm

This position offers:

• A starting salary range of $90,000-$150,000 plus annual bonuses, which will be commensurate with experience and performance evaluations
• Opportunities for advancement and mentorship
• Health insurance, 401k, long-term disability, and paid time off

Applicants should email resumes to [email protected]

02/07/2023

Established law firm in the southwest suburbs seeks litigation paralegal with 1-5 years of experience. Ideal candidate will have worked on of all phases of litigation and trial from beginning to end, including knowledge of legal pleadings and court filings.

Other administrative office duties may apply, such as photocopying and scanning documents, filing, and docket management.

Required Skills�:
- Highly proficient in written and oral communication.

- Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team.

- Extensive experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point. Working knowledge of Microsoft Teams and Zoom preferred.

- Must be organized and able to multi-task.

Job Type:
Full-time
Competitive salary & benefits commensurate with experience.

10/28/2021

AMENDMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ON DEATH INSTRUMENT ACT PROVIDES MORE ESTATE PLAN TOOLS TO INDIVIDUALS IN ORDER TO AVOID PROBATE

The Illinois Residential Real Property Transfer Act (755 ILCS 27/1, et seq.) (the “Act”) provides for an owner, or co-owners, to transfer Illinois residential real estate to one or more designated beneficiaries at the death of the owner, or, if there are more than one owner, at the death of the surviving owner. This post-death transfer is done by preparing and recording a Transfer on Death Instrument (“TOD Instrument”) during the owner's life. The TOD Instrument is recorded with the county where the residential real estate is located; however, the TOD Instrument does not become effective until the death of the owner (or, if there are more than one owner, upon the death of the last owner to die). The operation and effectiveness of the TOD Instrument is similar to a payable or transfer on death designation available for bank accounts. The TOD Instrument is very useful especially where an owner does not have a revocable trust but still does not want the heirs to go through probate.

Read more at:

https://spesia-taylor.com/real-estate-and-zoning/amendments-to-the-illinois-residential-real-property-transfer-on-death-instrument-act-provides-more-estate-plan-tools-to-individuals-in-order-to-avoid-probate/

10/13/2021

SPESIA & TAYLOR PARTNERS JOHN SPESIA AND JEFF TAYLOR RECOGNIZED AS “TOP PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS” IN 2021

This September, Spesia & Taylor Partners John Spesia and Jeff Taylor were each recognized as “Top Personal Injury Lawyers” by LeadingLawyers.com. This recognition represents an impressive distinction for both John and Jeff because of the rigorous selection process utilized in assembling the list. According to LeadingLawyers.com, the list is “very different from other attorney search sites or lawyer finder directories” because the lawyers recognized “cannot buy their way onto the list.” Instead, the list is assembled based on “contact[s] with thousands of lawyers” across the State and then reviewed and approved by Leading Lawyers’ advisory board. According to Leading Lawyers, “[l]ess than 5% of all lawyers licensed in each state have received the distinction of Leading Lawyer.” Congratulations to both John and Jeff!

If you believe you may have a personal injury claim and want to work with excellent personal injury attorneys, look no further than Spesia & Taylor. Contact our offices today at 815/726-4311 to schedule a consultation.

https://spesia-taylor.com/

Founded in 1899, the law firm of Spesia & Taylor has built a reputation for quality and aggressive legal representation in multiple Illinois courts, including those in Will, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, LaSalle, Dekalb and Kankakee counties.

08/25/2021

New Job Opportunity For Associate Attorney At The Law Firm Of Spesia & Taylor

Well established, dynamic, AV rated law firm is seeking associate attorney to join our practice. The law firm of Spesia & Taylor has been proudly representing clients throughout the State of Illinois for over 122 years. With a multitude of practice areas, which includes the representation of municipal clients as well as an active litigation practice, the attorneys at Spesia & Taylor have developed a proven track record of success.

We are currently seeking an Associate Attorney with 2-5 years of experience in the areas of municipal law and litigation. Preference will be given to candidates that also have experience in labor law. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication skills, be able to work independently as well as in a collaborative environment, and desire to grow with the firm.

The Firm offers numerous opportunities for growth and offers a generous salary and bonus plan, which is commensurate with experience and performance. Benefits available include health insurance, 401k, and long-term disability.

08/12/2021

Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program Award Recipient Announced

Spesia & Taylor is a proud sponsor of the Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Scholarship awards a $5,000 per year up to three years for Law School tuition ($15,000 over three years), a $1,000 payment for Bar preparatory course, and up to $10,000 per year for three years after law school in loan reimbursement to the recipient. The Scholarship Program was created by the Will County Bar Association to encourage diversity within the Will County legal community by awarding an incoming first-year Black or Latino law student financial assistance.

“We are proud to have worked in collaboration with the Will County Bar Association, the Black Bar Association, the Latino Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association to make this a reality” said Chris Spesia. “We set out to create a scholarship that would make a significant impact on an individual and encourage them to practice law in the great county of Will County. We have succeeded in this goal.”

Read more at:
https://spesia-taylor.com/news-cases/will-county-legal-opportunity-scholarship-program-award-recipient-announced/

Picture left to right: Chris Spesia, Teresa Guzman, Adrian Guzman

08/05/2021

INSURANCE COVERAGE DISPUTES: WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Insurance is absolutely essential in today’s world. It can represent the line between financial security and complete financial ruin for individuals and businesses alike. As a consumer, understanding how your insurance policy or policies work is critical to ensuring that you make educated decisions in purchasing certain policies and that there are no gaps in coverage. As such, it is your obligation as an insured under any applicable insurance policy to read the policy.

The Illinois Supreme Court specifically found that “[c]ustomers generally know their own goals better than their insurance agent does, but determining if a policy achieves those goals will be difficult when customers do not read the policy.”

Read more at:
https://spesia-taylor.com/news-cases/insurance-coverage-disputes-what-you-can-expect/

07/14/2021

SUMMARY OF TAX AND FINANCIAL FACTORS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN’S AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN

In May, President Biden announced the American Families Plan (“Plan”), a plan that would be, as he states, an investment in our kids, families and economic future. While this has not become a law as of yet, it does provide some insight on the direction that the President will be focused during his term.

View pertinent tax and financial factors of the Plan at the link below. If you would like more information on Business & Tax Planning or Estates, Wills & Trusts contact Spesia & Taylor at 815/726-4311.



https://spesia-taylor.com/news-cases/summary-of-tax-and-financial-factors-of-president-bidens-american-families-plan/

06/21/2021

Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal Of Lawsuit In Favor Of Easement Holder

The Second District Appellate Court affirmed dismissal of landowners’ claims for being barred by the statute of limitations. See Super Mix of Wis., Inc. v. Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, LLC, 2020 IL App (2d) 190034. An energy company, represented by Spesia & Taylor, was sued by landowners after the company refused to move and reroute its pipeline located in an easement on the properties at issue.

The energy company’s easement had existed since 1945 on the property. Nearly sixty (60) years later, the plaintiffs purchased the property subject to the energy company’s easement. The landowners, operators of a mining operation, allegedly requested the energy company remove and relocate the easement to the property boundary. Failing to reach an agreement, the landowners filed suit claiming that they were entitled to damages because of their inability to reclaim their mine due to the presence of the pipeline. The energy company moved to dismissed the complaint as being time barred pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(5).

Read more at: https://spesia-taylor.com/news-cases/appellate-court-affirms-dismissal-of-lawsuit-in-favor-of-easement-holder/

Spesia & Taylor - Attorneys At Law

10/29/2020

Lawyers and parties to any dispute expect that, win or lose, a judge will be fair and have great integrity.

For the last twenty-five years the lawyers at Spesia & Taylor have tried numerous cases across the State of Illinois and have appeared in both the Illinois appellate courts and before Justice Kilbride and the Illinois Supreme Court. We can attest that Justice Tom Kilbride has a record of and reputation for fairness and honesty. It is Justice Kilbride’s record and integrity that earned him the “Judge of the Year Award” from the American Board of Trial Advocates, a distinguished non-partisan group of trial lawyers.

Take it from people who are on the front lines in the courts –Justice Tom Kilbride has earned your YES vote to remain on the Illinois Supreme Court.

https://kilbride2020.com/

05/18/2020

SPESIA & TAYLOR DONATES TO THE SPANISH COMMUNITY CENTER FOOD PANTRY

Spesia & Taylor has stepped in to help the Spanish Center of Joliet with a donation to its food pantry. According to Veronica Gloria, Executive Director of the Spanish Community Center, the food pantry has experienced a significant increase in demand at the Spanish Center of Joliet’s food pantry due to the Covid-19 crisis. The food pantry, which is now seeing up to 300 families per week, was in dire need of resources to re-stock its shelves.

In response to Covid-19, the SCC has continued its commitment to provide immigrants and low-income families with the resources they need to survive. From its location in downtown Joliet, the Spanish Community Center has been instrumental in providing a wide variety of social and educational services to people in need in Will, Kankakee, and Grundy counties.

The attorneys at Spesia & Taylor are honored to help the Spanish Community Center in their mission of providing relief services to families in need during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.

If you are interested in donating to the Spanish Community Center of Joliet, please visit their website at https://spanishcenter.org.

05/18/2020

SPESIA & TAYLOR ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS TO MEET YOUR TRUST, ESTATE, AND CORPORATE NEEDS

All of us have been adjusting how we live our lives or how we conduct business in light of Covid-19. As Governor Pritzker makes changes to what is allowable in the foreseeable future, it will require us to remain fluid and flexible. For many, the “new normal” has been a slowing down, a reprioritizing, a time for reflection. For Spesia & Taylor, the “new normal” has included implementing a protocol to allow his estate and corporate clients to complete their plans.

Pre-Covid, attorneys would meet with their estate and corporate clients initially, but oftentimes it would be awhile before he could get them back to finalize documents. “Now, it seems that there is a sense of urgency, especially with some clients who are in their 70s and above.” Spesia & Taylor attributes this sense of urgency to the climate of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. Clients want to “ensure that they have everything in order,” feeling the need to complete their plans outweighs the risk.

In light of the risks presented by Covid-19, Spesia & Taylor have modified client-meeting procedures and put new protocols in place to ensure everyone’s safety.

Read More About Our Meeting Safety Procedures at:

https://spesia-taylor.com/news-cases/spesia-taylor-are-open-for-business-to-meet-your-trust-estate-and-corporate-needs/