OUR LEGAL TEAM
CHICAGO MESOTHELIOMA LAWYERS
The lawyers of Vogelzang Law dedicate themselves to representing victims of mesothelioma throughout the country by offering a comprehensive, hands-on approach to the litigation process to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcomes for their cases.
NICHOLAS VOGELZANG
Lead Counsel
Nicholas Vogelzang has tried numerous asbestos lawsuits on behalf of families stricken with mesothelioma, in both Cook County and Madison County, Illinois. During one of his first trials on behalf of Roby Whittington in 2003, Mr. Vogelzang and his team received the most significant asbestos verdict in Illinois history at $250,000,000.
Since then, he has represented more than 200 families with every imaginable type of asbestos exposure throughout the country, resulting in more than 200 million in settlements and verdicts. In 2018, he represented a variety of workers diagnosed with mesothelioma. His clients included: a sheet metal worker; a chemical engineer from Allied Chemical; a TWA airplane mechanic; the mother and husband of a Local 597 Chicago pipefitter; a residential and commercial plumber; a window glazier; a Local 17 asbestos insulator; the wife of a John Jay High School maintenance worker; a pipe fitter that worked at Bethlehem Steel and later Kroger Dairy; and two steelworkers from US Steel. Nicholas takes pride in personally getting to know each family by working with them to determine the source of the asbestos exposure.
Mr. Vogelzang is committed to supporting the mesothelioma community through education, fundraising, and raising awareness. In addition to his legal work, Mr. Vogelzang serves the mesothelioma community through his many speaking engagements and fundraising events that help shine a light on the families affected by mesothelioma. In 2018, Vogelzang Law founded the Mesothelioma Race for Justice, an annual 5K race which donates proceeds to mesothelioma research.
Mr. Vogelzang dedicates himself to his craft, regularly appearing in court on behalf of his clients litigating against Fortune 500 companies and their national counsel. He continues his dedication to his clients by working with hard working associates that assist in every aspect of the litigation.
ACHIEVEMENTS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Perrin National Asbestos Litigation Conference 2018 Speaker
- Perrin National Asbestos Litigation Conference 2019 Speaker
- Mesothelioma Race for Justice co-founder
WYATT BERKOVER
Attorney
After receiving his B.A in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012, Mr. Berkover graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2016. Mr. Berkover is admitted to the Illinois State Bar and is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
While attending Chicago-Kent, Mr. Berkover was the Chicago-Kent Student Bar Association representative and the Chicago-Kent student representative to the Illinois State Bar Association. Mr. Berkover was awarded the CALI Award for the highest grade in Environmental Law and Policy 2 while studying at Chicago-Kent. Mr. Berkover began working with Nicholas Vogelzang in 2015 as a law clerk and joined Vogelzang Law as an associate in the fall of 2016.
Mr. Berkover represents victims of personal injury and wrongful death, from the initial client meeting through the trial. He focuses on representing victims of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases.
MICHAEL MAIENZA
Attorney
Mr. Maienza earned his B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business in 2013. He received his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law in 2017 and served as a judicial external under the Hon. Michael T. Mullen in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
While at DePaul, Mr. Maienza competed in both Minneapolis and Cincinnati as a member of the Appellate Moot Court Society. Throughout law school, Mr. Maienza volunteered with the Legal Aid Society ultimately gaining his 711 license, allowing him to work directly with clients for the Domestic Violence team.
NATHANIEL WALLACE
Associate Attorney
Nathaniel Wallace joined Vogelzang Law in January 2019. After receiving his B.A. in Public Policy from Michigan State University, Mr. Wallace graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2017.
During law school, Mr. Wallace was named to the Dean’s List and was a member of Loyola Law School’s American Bar Association Moot Court Team. Mr. Wallace earned his 711 License participating in the Loyola Law School’s Community Law Clinic, where he was appointed as guardian ad litem for minors living in Cook County, Illinois.
Prior to working at Vogelzang Law, Mr. Wallace worked as an associate attorney and law clerk for two prominent Chicago plaintiff’s personal injury firms where he was responsible for cases involving nursing home litigation, toxic and mass tort litigation, premise liability, automobile collisions, and civil rights violations.
SADIE GRUNEWALD
Associate Attorney
After receiving her B.A. in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ms. Grunewald graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2018 with a Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law.
At Chicago-Kent, Ms. Grunewald was an editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property and participated in the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Moot Court competition. She gained experience as a law clerk at the U.S. EPA Office of Regional Counsel, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Chicago Environmental Law Clinic. Ms. Grunewald was awarded the CALI Award for the highest grade in International Law.
DANIEL FLORES
Associate Attorney*
After receiving his B.A. in English from Loyola University of Chicago in 2016, Mr. Flores graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2019. As a law student, his focus was on plaintiff advocacy.
*Daniel will be officially sworn in on November 7, 2019.
At Chicago-Kent, Mr. Flores was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and served as a Teaching Assistant for Civil Procedure. He was also awarded CALI Excellence for the Future Award for receiving the highest grade in Legislation and Legal Writing II.
Prior to working at Vogelzang Law, Mr. Flores worked as a law clerk at a Plaintiff's medical malpractice firm.
JOSEPH TRUNK
*Associate Attorney
Mr. Trunk earned his B.S. in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Law from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016. He graduated with his Juris Doctor from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2019 with a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law.
*Joseph will be officially sworn in November 7, 2019.
During law school, Mr. Trunk was an author and editor of the Chicago-Kent Seventh Circuit Review Honors Seminar, submissions editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, and argued in Giles Sutherland Rich Moot Court Competition.
Prior to working at Vogelzang Law, Mr. Trunk was a judicial extern for the Honorable Brigid Mary McGrath.
Vogelzang Law
A boutique, personal injury firm with a family environment.
Our firm is committed to our clients, their families, and justice. As our client, a unified team of Vogelzang Law staff will shepherd you and your family through each phase of the litigation process. This multi-angle approach enables us to provide each client with continuity of care.
Our new, larger office space–which has excellent views, professional meeting rooms, a comfortable “think tank,” and a memorial wall–provides a highly functional and collaborative space for our dedicated attorneys and staff to serve you.
MEET OUR DEDICATED
Staff Members
Caylei Vogelzang
Director of Business Strategy
Caylei Vogelzang, a native Oregonian, spent her early years on her family’s idyllic organic herb farm where her savvy business marketing skills began to form.
EDUCATION: Columbia University
HOBBIES: Rowing, yoga, wellness activities
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: The Beach
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 2 | Email: cvogelzang@vogelzanglaw.com
Mirela Stefanescu
Public Relations Manager/Union Liaison
As the PR Manager and Union Liaison for Vogelzang Law, Mirela Stefanescu oversees, coordinates, and manages all events the firm attends and hosts, from union golf outings to charitable activities.
EDUCATION: A.A.S.
HOBBIES: Yoga, boxing, "foodie"
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: The lake
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 7 | Email: mstefanescu@vogelzanglaw.com
Vanja Lapic
Director, Finance
Vanja oversees the daily functions of the finance/accounting department. He uses his analytical background toward integrating cloud-based solutions for improved oversight and scalability.
EDUCATION: DePaul University, undergraduate school & Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, (M.S.) Applied Economics
HOBBIES: Hiking, sight-seeing, working out
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Lakefront
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 11 | Email: vlapic@vogelzanglaw.com
Marissa Divine
Litigation Paralegal
Marissa Divine works as one of the firm’s litigation paralegals. She works closely with lead counsel in the preparation of handling complex cases for litigation, from discovery to the trial phase.
EDUCATION: Loyola University Chicago - B.A. Journalism, B.S. Criminal Justice, M.A. Criminal Justice & Criminology
HOBBIES: Watching the office, going to concerts, trying new restaurants
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Rossi's
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 8 | Email: mdivine@vogelzanglaw.com
Anika Carlson
Litigation Paralegal
Anika Carlson started working as a litigation paralegal with the firm in January of 2019, after graduating from Roosevelt University’s Paralegal Certificate Program.
EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin-Madison - B.A. Economics & Roosevelt University - Paralegal Certificate
HOBBIES: Hiking, swimming, cooking, spending time with family
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Foster Beach or Palmisano Nature Park
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 29 | Email: acarlson@vogelzanglaw.com
Chloe Morrison
Law Clerk
Chloe Morrison is currently in the Juris Doctor program at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she is on track to graduate in 2020. Prior to law school, Ms. Morrison earned her B.A. in International Business from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2017.
EDUCATION: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, undergraduate school & Chicago-Kent College of Law, law school
HOBBIES: Traveling, yoga, watching movies
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Three Dots and a Dash
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 19 | Email: cmorrison@vogelzanglaw.com
Mary Aruti
Controller
With twenty years of consulting experience with KPMG and a spin-off of Deloitte, Mary assists Vogelzang Law with their finance and accounting initiatives.
EDUCATION: BS Accountancy, Elmhurst College Master Certification, Supply Chain Management, Michigan State University Project Management Certification (PMP) Master Certification, Oracle Implementation
HOBBIES: Love baking desserts
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Wrigley Field
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 30 | Email: maruti@vogelzanglaw.com
Brenda Cole
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
Brenda is the office Administrative Assistant who handles the day to day tasks in the office as well as the operations expenses for the office.
EDUCATION: South Suburban College - Associate in Science
HOBBIES: Walking, watching and going to Cubs games, Blackhawks
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Wrigley Field
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 5 | Email: bcole@vogelzanglaw.com
Adrian Garcia
Media Manager
As the firm’s photographer/videographer, Adrian manages the asset library. With his keen eye and technical aptitude, he elevates the firm’s public image.
EDUCATION: B.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences
HOBBIES: Cycling, indoor rock climbing, hanging with family
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Home
Phone number: 312.466.1669 | Email: agarcia@vogelzanglaw.com
Ashley Weringa
Law Clerk
Ashley is currently going to DePaul College of Law and it is her second year. She graduated from Purdue University.
EDUCATION: Purdue University, Currently going to DePaul College of Law
HOBBIES: Yoga, Workout, and go support the Chicago Cubs at Cubs games!
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Wrigley Field
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 32 | Email: aweringa@vogelzanglaw.com
Nathaniel Kurtz
Bankruptcy Paralegal
Nathaniel Kurtz works as the Bankruptcy and Settlements Paralegal for the firm, He works with the asbestos bankruptcy trust handling filings and assisting with resolving claim issues for firm clients. He also handles all settlement contracts and the settlement process.
EDUCATION: University of North Carolina, Wilmington - Bachelor or Arts in Political Science & Loyola University of Chicago - Certificate in Paralegal Studies
HOBBIES: Biking, going to the beach, try new restaurants, weight training
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Lakefront
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 6 | Email: nkurtz@vogelzanglaw.com
Mary Liberty
Law Clerk
Mary is currently in the Juris Doctor program at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she is on track to graduate in 2020. Prior to starting law school, Mary earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign in 2017.
EDUCATION: B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign in 2017, Currently enrolled at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
HOBBIES: Traveling and watching movies
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Lottie's Pub
Phone number: 312.466.1669 | Email: mliberty@vogelzanglaw.com
David Holtzer
Data Analyst
David assists in data-driven decision making, maintaining information systems, and front end application support.
EDUCATION: DePaul University - B.A. History & Loyola University Chicago - M.S. Business Data Analytics
HOBBIES: Playing music, roasting coffee, being an ameteur mixologist
FAVORITE CHICAGO HANG OUT: Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern
Phone number: 312.466.1669 ext. 10 | Email: dholtzer@vogelzanglaw.com
