Illinois Lawyer Finder

Contact

Kathy A. McNeely-Johnson

Located in Winnebago County

Rockford, IL

legalserenity.com

Practice Information

  • Accepting New Clients
  • Virtual Visits

Pricing Information

  • Fixed Flat Fee
  • Hourly Rate
  • Limited Scope

Jurisdiction

  • State

Practice Areas

  • Business Law/LLC or Partnerships
  • Elder Law
  • Probate & Estate Planning/Trusts & Estates (Asset Protection)
  • Real Estate/Residential

Practices in Counties

  • Boone
  • Ogle
  • Stephenson
  • Winnebago

More About Kathy A. McNeely-Johnson

States of Admission

  • Illinois, 1994
  • Florida, 1995

Biography

In 2012, Legal Serenity PC was born with a commitment; middle-class folks deserved a reasonably priced attorney to meet their planning needs. They deserved a sense of legal serenity, be it life planning, life partner protection, business, or home concerns. Those considerations include taxation, where you are in life, quality of life, efficiency in business matters, best practices, protection from liability, owning or selling your home in the smartest possible way, and other such goals.

Upon graduation from NIU College of Law, I was admitted to the Illinois Bar & Six months later, the Florida Bar. As of this writing, I am the only Florida licensed active practitioner in Winnebago County.

After graduation, my then dream position, as a Public Defender (1994-2009) started. The early assignments were; misdemeanor, Abuse and Neglect, as well as Juvenile cases. With an assignment to felony matters (1998-2009) where my caseload was primarily Major Drug & Murder matters. I was also lucky enough to work as a member of the innovative drug court team (2001-2008). This provides me with a unique insight into families and family issues that must be part of planning as well as diligence, priority, and technical importance.

Making the move to private practice and leaving behind criminal defense work was a sea change.  While I loved that work, I had come to see there were other ways to help the community.  With diligence in acquiring the needed legal knowledge in a different arena, I have been meeting those needs. During the early years of Legal Serenity PC, I also spent several tax seasons volunteering for  AARP's, Free Tax Preparation Program (for seniors and low-income folks). My role was as a trainer (and curriculum development) as well as hands-on tax preparation. Thus giving me a foundation in personal taxation.

Before becoming an attorney, I received a BA from Bradley University (1978). After which I joined Honeywell (Micro Switch div). This allows me to understand business issues, contracts, and problem-solving. I then was a full-time stay-at-home Mom & Wife (1985-1991). I am grateful to have had that option. It taught me about children's needs as well as allowed me to do volunteer work. This involvement exposed me to the needs of underserved communities, abused women, the business aspects of charity, as well the needs of parenting teens.

My unique background provides clients effective counsel in the spheres of family needs, business startup requirements, at-risk individuals planning, special needs family members, benefit strategies, as well as tax considerations in all areas of my practice.

Further, I take pride in working on the unique planning needs of the LBGTQIA+ clients both as an attorney and ally.


Law School

Northern Illinois University College of Law

ISBA Activities

ISBA Section Membership

Search for additional lawyers