Karen Conti

Attorney

(312) 332-7800

For 30 years, Karen Conti has been a dynamic and influential attorney in the local and national legal community. Karen has intensive and diverse trial experience from the Circuit Court of Cook County to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the same time, Karen has exceptional negotiation skills which allow her to quickly and creatively settle matters with the least possible expenditure of time and money. She is formally trained and certified as a mediator and in collaborative law. Her handling of numerous high profile cases has created her reputation for fierce advocacy among judges and other lawyers.

Karen now concentrates much of her practice in family law, where she has gained prominence among her peers and the bench. She was appointed by Illinois House Speaker to assist in redrafting the new family laws that took effect in Illinois in 2016. She was solely responsible for the statute regarding grounds for divorce, which modernizes and streamlines the dissolution of a marriage. Karen was a keynote speaker at the Family Rights Rally at the Lincoln Monument in Washington, D.C. on the issue of child custody and parental alienation. As a former partner with the prestigious family law firm of Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove, she handled cases from the highest net worth clients to simple matters of dissolution of marriage.

Some of Karen’s other accomplishments include:

• Member of the Illinois, California, and U.S. Supreme Court bars
• Handled a successful appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court in a nationally-followed election dispute
• Represented a convicted serial killer in his death row appeals
• Adjunct professor of law at University of Illinois and DePaul University law schools
• Taught and spoke at Stanford University and American University in Washington, D.C.
• Won a million dollar plus jury verdict against a nationally prominent home builder
• 40 under 40 Illinois Attorneys to Watch by Chicago Lawyer Magazine
• One of the 100 Women Making a Difference in Chicago by Today’s Chicago Woman
• Outstanding Alumni of the Year, Distinguished Graduate Award at University of Illinois College of Law
• Leading Lawyer, part of a network of elite lawyers in the State
• Recipient of the Impresa Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

For over 20 years, Karen has been a part of the local and national media. Her name recognition lends her instant credibility and authority wherever she practices. Among Karen’s vast media experience:

• Fox Chicago, Legal Analyst on local Fox affiliate, giving weekly commentary on diverse issues such as family law, business matters, criminal cases, and appellate decisions.
• CNN: Regular legal commentator for over 10 years
• Regular appearances on MSNBC, Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor, truTV, and other media venues
• 20 years of experience in hosting and producing radio talk shows including “Chicago Law” on WJJD and “Legally Speaking” on WGN Radio in Chicago
• Winner of numerous awards for radio broadcast including Achievement in Radio for Best Public Affairs and a Kogan Award

Brenda Wapner

Attorney

(312) 332-7800

Brenda has dedicated her career to representing clients in all areas of family law. Since she became a member of the Illinois Bar, Brenda has focused her practice primarily in divorce, child custody, visitation, orders of protection, DCFS cases, child support, maintenance and complex property division. Prior to joining ContiLaw, Brenda was an associate attorney for four years at a well-established Chicago-based family law firm where she represented over 200 clients. Brenda received her law degree from Loyola University Chicago and her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, where she was a member of the Dean’s List. During law school Brenda was an intern at the Center for Disability and Elder Law and following her completion at Loyola University Chicago, received a Loyola Public Interest Fellowship with that organization.

Shaleen Dada

Attorney

(312) 332-7800

Shaleen is a member of the Illinois Bar and has dedicated her career thus far to family law and children’s issues. She has worked at the Loyola Civitas Child Law Clinic where she represented children in custody proceedings and child protection cases. She spent time working as a law clerk for the Department Child and Family Services and volunteered as an attorney for the Chicago Legal Clinic Parentage and Support Desk at the Circuit Court of Cook County. She was also a legal intern for Judge John H. Ehrlich in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County where she researched numerous diverse business litigation issues.

Shaleen graduated cum laude from Loyola University, where she earned a B.A. in Political Science, and a B.S. in Psychology. She received her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago of Law. While in law school, Shaleen was a member of the Annals Health Law Journal and a legal writing tutor where she was a published author including one on the Affordable Health Care Act. Shaleen was a member of the Dean’s Diversity Council and was recognized for her commitment to leadership, service, and public interest. She was accepted into the London Comparative Advocacy Program, where she analyzed the differences between the English and American legal systems.

Shaleen is fluent in Urdu, Hindi and English, and is proficient in Spanish.

She is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association.

In her personal life, Shaleen enjoys traveling, reading, trying new cuisines, and running along the lakefront.

Zaneta Brzezinski

Paralegal

(312) 332-7800

Zaneta is a seasoned paralegal and legal assistant. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Business Administration and has devoted her career to assisting lawyers in representing clients in family and business law matters. Her attention to detail, maturity, and compassion for clients sets her apart from other legal professionals. Her understanding of business issues allows her to facilitate the organization and synthesis of complicated financial documents which are used in the litigation process.

Zaneta is fluent in Polish and proficient in Spanish.