Katz Law Office Client Victories

Presently
Defeated an Order of Protection where girlfriend/mother falsely testified as to physical abuse in order to bar client from visitation with children, and obtained a visitation order for six days per week in favor of client.

Presently 
Natural born US citizen clients (2 brothers born in Texas) had attempted to obtain US passports after the death of their father and were initially denied and told that they needed additional evidence to establish their identity. They both had spent a large amount of time in both the US and Mexico and had no proof to establish their identities. Thru negotiation and discussion with the passport office and a visit to the passport office, KLOL was able to request and obtain documentation establishing the identity of both brothers sufficient for approval of their US Passports.

Presently 
Post-decree visitation matter. Client awarded sole custody in initial Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage but was subjected to extremely restrictive terms regarding extended visitation and vacation with the minor child. After close reading of the terms of the Judgment, the KLOL team found explicit language that was used to support the granting of the requested holiday visitation for 2009. The client now has the opportunity, and express permission of the Court, to travel to Mexico with the minor child to spend the holidays with her family there for the first time in over 5 years!

Presently 
Our work resulted in the erasing of the 10 year bar which the client would have faced in having to remain outside of the U.S. before re-entering as a resident, as a consequence of her history of unlawful presence in the country. Our waiver erased the 10 years and our client is now in possession of a visa to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident and is reunited with her family.

December 2009
A client who was owed nearly $18,000 by a bank was unable to recover the funds as they were encumbered due to a bank error. After an unjustifiably lengthy delay, wherein the bank ultimately did not correct the error, he hired KLOL to intervene on his behalf. KLOL's attorneys aggressively researched the law, pin-pointing the bank's legal violations, and through a letter informed the bank of the likely consequences for such violations and refusal to redress the situation if the case were to proceed to litigation. The bank, after having been admonished by KLOL, with little argument, promptly issued a new check to the client for the full amount owed and released all funds. The client thus suddenly had access to nearly $18,000 that was legitimately his property, and which otherwise would possibly have been held captive by the bank indefinitely.

December 2009
Prevailed on a Petition to Vacate Judgment where ex-wife falsely claimed an arrearage of approximately $50,000 at a hearing for which client had no notice, and successfully argued for the entry of an arrearage judgment for $2,000.

December 2009
Successfully persuaded bank to drop threat of civil and criminal charges for fraud and identity theft, where clients, a couple, had obtained a loan under social security information not pertaining to them, and proceeded to negotiate with bank regarding a downward modification of the loan payments.

December 2009
Through the diligent, cooperative efforts of the KLOL team, we prepared, and successfully advocated, our Motion to Vacate an Emergency Order of Protection on behalf of our client. The underlying OP was obtained with no prior notice to our client, in an effort to obtain relief based on bad faith and non-credible testimony by the Petitioner in retaliation for unrelated extramarital events. Based on our paralegals and attorneys knowledge of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, we were able to present a compelling and persuasive argument resulting in this underlying Order of Protection being vacated in its entirety.

December 2009
Despite significant obstacles presented at the time of filing, our zealous advocacy on behalf of our client resulted in the entry of an Emergency Order of Protection naming both client and his two minor children as protected parties and returning immediately to the client possession of the minor children. Because of this Order, the children were removed from an abusive and potentially dangerous environment. The KLOL team rallied to prepare all necessary pleadings and affidavits within 24 hours of being retained by the client to ensure that this true emergency was handled in a timely fashion and that the potential risk of harm to the client and the minor children was minimized by our swift action.

December 2009
Prepared, filed and established prima facie eligibility for multiple Applications for protection Under Violence Against Women Act for female and male clients who were abused by a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident spouse.

December 2009
Prevailed on an Emergency Petition for Custody, where children's mother, a drug-user, abandoned client and children - client hired KLOL on late Monday and custody order was granted on the same Friday.

November 2009
Our work resulted in the erasing of the 10 year bar which the client would have faced in having to remain outside of the U.S. before re-entering as a resident, as a consequence of her history of unlawful presence in the country. Our waiver erased the 10 years and our client is now in possession of a visa to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident and is reunited with her family.

November 2009
Client was arrested in a vehicle with tens of thousands of dollars suspected by police to be the fruit of criminal activity, and faced allegations of drug dealing, conspiracy, among other charges, with a $25,000 cash amount required to bond client out--and after fiercely fighting the bond motion and constant aggressive advocacy before the State's Attorney's Office, arguing no basis for charges existed, got all charges dropped -- our client will be released from custody.

November 2009
Obtained the Chicago Police Department's U Visa (crime victim) certification for the client's daughter's immigration application, after numerous hours of attention and advocacy. Client is on her way to obtaining lawful status in the U.S. despite being years unlawfully present in the country.

November 2009
Reducing client's monthly mortgage payment from $1,779 to $750 monthly under the Federal Making Home Affordable program.

October 2009
Client was in foreclosure proceedings and faced loss of his place of business. KLOL successfully negotiated a mortgage payment modification to almost half his initial payment and for foreclosure proceedings to be dismissed.

October 2009
KLOL reaches a water mark in the number of bankruptcies filed - more filed in one week than Debt Stoppers, one of Chicago's most widely advertised consumer credit law firms. Dozens of these KLOL bankruptcies were for undocumented clients, present in the U.S. without a visa or resident status, and filed using the client's "ITIN".

October 2009
Got police to stop violating a newly detained client's rights, such as denying him a hearing after being incarcerated for 72 hours.

October 2009
Demanded that banks stop harassing clients and requesting payments from them and instead investigate what was clearly ongoing fraud against our clients in real estate matter.

October 2009
Postponed deportation proceedings of a client wrongfully convicted to appeal the criminal case for insufficient assistance of counsel, error in trial procedure, and invalid, coerced confession.

October 2009
On behalf of a client that got caught with using an identification under a fake name, convinced the police through questioning of the client that the client had no bad intentions in acquiring the fake license such as defrauding banks or other people and had gotten it for the sole purpose of working in the United States. Result: Client not arrested and gets his driver's license back, now under his real name, after a temporary suspension period. All personal belongings were also returned to the client by the police.

October 2009
Representation of a client in the closing of a home and prevented the seller from getting away with not signing the same HUD statement that our client signed nor from failing to close on the home purchase after making many excuses.

September 2009 - November 2009
City municipal hearing dismissed against our clients for real estate violations found by inspector after they had battled with City for months.

September 2009 - October 2009
Property owner renting out commercial property, tenants turn the place into a nightmare and walk out in the middle of the lease; we filed complaint and litigated and won a $30,000 judgment recently after opposing counsel filed motion after motion, counter-claims, affirmative defenses.

September 2009
Client had been attempting to divorce husband for over ten years where husband was unable to be served. KLOL successfully attained a divorce by publication for client.

September 2009 - September 2009
Obtained successful chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge for undocumented client who had 63 unsecured creditors, tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and without having any creditor object to discharge (most chapter 7 debtors have between 4 and 15 unsecured creditors).

September 2009 - September 2009
Client was facing denial of a marriage petition and her residency and received notice that USCIS was going to deny the petition. KLOL prepared a detailed letter to USCIS, citing case law on what constitutes a valid marriage and submitted, explained and contradicted the findings of USCIS in regards to the marriage and statements made by the couple during an interview. After submission of these documents, USCIS approved the applications and client received her legal permanent residency.

August 2009 - September 2009
Client appealed guilty determination by DCFS on several child abuse charges made in bad faith by a family member. KLOL team interviewed interested parties and reviewed in great detail all aspects of DCFS investigation. In the course of representation, compiled strong, compelling, contradictory evidence and after diligent representation before the Administrative Law Judge, ascertained a ruling in favor of our clients vacating the indicated finding and expunging client's record.

August 2009 - August 2009
Enforcement of a child support order entered in conjunction with a 2004 judgment for dissolution of marriage. Prepared Petition for Rule to Show Cause with regards to unpaid past support. Entered into negotiations with Respondent and client granted back child support in excess of $8,000.00 and modification of current support to nearly triple the amount

August 2009
For KLOL's filing a motion to suppress at trial, the Defendant client was found not guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. It was the Defendant's 4th DUI and would have carried a possible minimum of 3 years in prison. The Defendant testified on his own behalf, as did his friend as to the fact that he wasn't actually driving the vehicle when the police approached it stalled in the road. The Judge found for the Defendant after only a moment's deliberation.

July 2009 - August 2009
Clients erratically signed binding contract to purchase $300,000, worth of real estate property, then hired KLOL to get them out of the contract. KLOL sent multiple demands to opposing counsel and kept extending attorney review and plastering him with amendments until he indicated that he would raise no issues if we walked away. Clients were extremely relieved. Then I pressed opposing counsel for the return of earnest money (which he arguably could have kept) and he sent it back to get rid of us! We ot the contract cancelled in July 2009 and the earnest money back in August 2009.

July 2009 - August 2009
Accomplished clients 1-130 (family petition) a few years ago, then client came back last year and we obtained his lawful permanent residency.

July 2009 - August 2009
Client filed an Application to Adjust Status and was issued a Request for Evidence based on potential I-9 (employment documentation) fraud. KLOL prepared letter to USCIS explaining why government should grant the application in absence of the requested documents. Client was granted lawful resident status.

July 2009 - August 2009
Client was facing denial of residency and KLOL prepared a legal argument to USCIS explaining that working with a false green card was NOT an act that could render him inadmissible. The officer agreed and client was granted his legal residency.

July 2009 - August 2009
Physically injured U.S. citizen client filed I-601 waiver for his wife to excuse her unlawful presence over 1 year in United States. KLOL filed and USCIS granted waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to U.S. citizen spouse, and wife was granted lawful status.

July 2009
Client faced summary suspension of his driver's license and potential criminal penalty for DUI, which could have threatened his permanent resident status and future citizenship. KLOL won rescission of summary suspension and minor penalty for DUI, which resulted in protecting against any negative consequences for client's immigration status.

July 2009
Client was sentenced to probation for fraud and subsequently violated her probation and served approximately three months of prison time. Upon release she was turned over to the custody of ICE and was under threat of deportation. Her sentence was successfully reopened, her felony conviction was reduced to a misdemeanor and within a few weeks she was released from the custody of ICE as her felony conviction was removed and she was no longer deportable.

June 2009 - August 2009
Client was facing 10 year bar to re-enter the U.S. due to her history of unlawful presence in the U.S. and KLOL won her I-601 waiver by showing hardship to her husband who was the primary breadwinner, had significant family ties to the United States, and was suffering emotionally due to the separation. Client entered the U.S. with her immigrant visa as a resident after a two month stay abroad.

June 2009 - July 2009
KLOL brought to trial a criminal case where client was accused of violating order of protection by entering the property that the order prevented him from entering, and we obtained mere supervision for the client, that is, no jail time and no conviction, even though Judge had sentenced defendant in similar case, with very similar facts, earlier that day to a year in jail!

June 2009 - July 2009
Client had been separated from spouse for four and a half years as she was facing a 10 year bar to reenter the U.S. due to her unlawful presence, and KLOL submitted a waiver on her behalf detailing the extreme hardship to her spouse. The waiver was approved and client was granted her residency and allowed to return to her husband and family in the U.S.

June 2009 - June 2009
Client was facing denial of her marriage based residency petition filed by her husband and her residency and received a Request for Evidence requesting more proof of the marriage being legitimate. KLOL won this case by providing a detailed letter to USCIS explaining the good faith nature of the marriage and providing creative supplemental documents as proof of marriage because clients did not have the evidence requested by USCIS. Client's applications were approved and she received her lawful permanent U.S. residency.

June 2009
Client who had been granted Mexican property in a divorce settlement was unable to receive necessary documents from ex-spouse to transfer property interest. KLOL brought and won a "Rule to Show Cause," holding the ex-spouse in contempt and requiring ex-spouse to provide necessary documentation of property transfer. Documents were ultimately received, and KLOL won attorney fees for client.

May 2009 - August 2009
Client was issued a "Request for Evidence" for her pending Adjustment of Status application based on her break in continuous presence in United States. KLOL filed an I-601 waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to her U.S. citizen spouse, and client was granted lawful status.

May 2009 - August 2009
Client was facing a 3 year bar to reentry due to the unlawful presence she acquired in the U.S. after entering lawfully and marrying a U.S. citizen. KLOL won her I-601 waiver, erasing the 3 year bar at the Chicago District Office, where the rate of approval is very low-really never granted, according to other immigration law firms! Client obtained her legal permanent residency and resides happily with her husband.

May 2009 - June 2009
Client was granted lawful status with conditions on residence and did not file application to remove conditions. KLOL filed I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, with request to excuse late filing, and client was granted lawful status with no conditions on residence.

May 2009
Client sought to modify his child support payment due to unemployment and initially had his petition and a Motion to Reconsider rejected by the Court. KLOL won the modification petition, reducing his child support payments to an affordable amount.

May 2009
Felony criminal sexual assault charges carrying a possible many years in state prison sentence as a possible penalty, were facing KLOL client. After speedy trial demand was filed, client was brought before a judge and on the day of trial, the State dismissed all charges against him.

April 2009
Two brothers charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct after being assaulted by an off duty police officer. Even though witnesses were present, State was unprepared to go to trial. Speedy trial had been demanded and the State dismissed all charges. No charges were filed again even though the supposed "victim" had been a Chicago Police Department officer. Aggressive representation kept the State off balance and ill prepared for trial resulted in victory for the clients.

April 2009 - February 2009
Client was facing denial of citizenship and deportation due to several arrests in other states, and a pending criminal matter from years before that had not been resolved. KLOL submitted a detailed legal argument to USCIS noting that the arrests and convictions should have no bearing on the client's good moral character and that the application should be approved. After submitting documents and additional evidence, USCIS granted the client United States citizenship.

March 2009 - January 2009
KLOL client was facing termination of his conditional resident status due to his divorce from a U.S. citizen and KLOL won his waiver by providing detailed evidence of the good faith marriage and that the marriage had been terminated through no fault of his own. Client had little documentation but KLOL prepared a detailed affidavit from client to USCIS and it was approved. Client was granted his legal permanent residency.

February 2009 - August 2009
Contested divorce matter concerning a 45 year marriage where client raised the couple's 8 children. After extensive discovery, investigation into Respondent's assets, and preliminary motions, the KLOL team was victorious at trial in establishing the client's claim for dissipation (waste of the couple's assets). Judgment was entered in favor of our client for a lump sum dissipation judgment, half of Respondent's sizable pension and an additional monthly maintenance allotment.

February 2009 - March 2009
In a 212(h) waiver matter, the immigration judge decided to immediately schedule the case for trial when we were scheduled only for a simple status call, KLOL counsel "winged it" and despite client's wife giving testimony adverse to ours, on the stand, claiming that she was "independent" and could live without husband but really wanted him to stay, KLOL counsel brushed that aside and explained that client (who had an extensive criminal history in CO, IN, TX) had resolved most of his issues and so forth, and our clients was immediately granted his lawful permanent residency, despite the government counsel's objection.

February 2009 - March 2009
Infirm U.S. citizen client filed I-601 waiver for his wife to excuse her unlawful presence of over 1 year in United States, which would have resulted in a 10 year bar to legal re-entry. KLOL filed and USCIS granted waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to U.S. citizen spouse, and wife was granted lawful status.

February 2009 - May 2009
Uninsured client was sued for $20,000 by insurance company that paid other driver for medical bills suffered in two car intersection accident on west side of Chicago. Injured party's medical bills were actually closer to $200,000, but injured party never sued client. At deposition, client and client's wife claimed light was green and then turned yellow, in contravention to the opposing counsel position reporting opposing party statement that light was red for client. Our attorneys got case dismissed prior to arbitration.

February 2009 - March 2009
Client had been unlawfully present in the U.S., married a U.S. citizen and was facing a 10 year bar to reenter to the U.S. and KLOL submitted a waiver on her behalf detailing the extreme hardship to her infirm spouse and KLOL was successful in obtaining her legal residency within one week of being outside the country.

January 2009
Criminal bench trial during which client was charged with felony Aggravated Battery to Peace Officer. After aggressive cross-examination of complaining police officers, client moved for a directed verdict. Judge dismissed felony charges, found that the State had proven resisting to a peace officer and client rested, resulting in a 5 day jail sentence, time of which had already been served. Client walked out of court after felony charges with a misdemeanor conviction and no time in jail or fine to be paid.

December 2008 - August 2009
Client, who had been denied a temporary work visa, saw KLOL re-file and win his work visa petition, allowing him and his family to travel to the U.S. to begin his new employment.

November 2008 - January 2009
U.S. citizen client with medical problems filed I-601 waiver for his wife to excuse her unlawful presence over 1 year in United States. KLOL filed and USCIS granted waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to U.S. citizen spouse, and wife was granted lawful status.

November 2008
KLOL client accused of credit card and identity theft is ordered released from Cook County custody after KLOL files and argues a bond motion before the court, and client's disposition is ultimately not-guilty after client takes a handful of classes in lieu of guilty finding.

October 2008 - January 2009
Breadwinner U.S. citizen client filed I-601 waiver for her husband to excuse his unlawful presence over 1 year in United States. KLOL filed and USCIS granted waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to U.S. citizen spouse, and husband was granted lawful status-hardship was proven by KLOL despite the American wife having a lucrative job and her Mexican husband earning minimum wage.

October 2008 - December 2008
Physically injured U.S. citizen client hired KLOL to file an I-601 waiver for his wife to excuse her unlawful presence of over 1 year in United States. KLOL filed and immigration granted our waiver application based on documented extreme hardship to U.S. citizen spouse, and wife was granted lawful status despite the violations of immigration law on her record.

October 2008 - November 2008
Client was facing a 10 year bar to reenter the US due to his history of unlawful presence in the country. KLOL prepared and submitted an I-601 hardship waiver on her behalf, which detailed the extreme emotional, medical, familial, financial and social hardship the client's husband would suffer. The waiver was granted and client obtained her legal residency after spending only two months abroad, and entered the U.S. lawfully with her immigrant visa.

October 2008 - October 2008
KLOL's representation of a Vietnam veteran client who was charged with felonious taking indecent liberties with a child, a form of child abuse. KLOL's advocacy resulted in the charges being reduced to a misdemeanor, and obtaining the client mere supervision -- no jail time or criminal conviction.

October 2008 - September 2008
KLOL client was ordered removed "in absentia" (without his knowledge) and KLOL filed appeal to the immigration appeals court (BIA) arguing ineffective notice of hearing and other claims. The BIA granted our motion and returned the matter to the Immigration Judge to reopen the deportation.

October 2008
After filing a habeas corpus petition in the Federal Court, immigration detainee's deportation is ordered stayed and his release from ICE custody is secured. Subsequently, after appealing a 1992 order by the immigration judge who ordered KLOL client deported, the Board of Immigration Appeals reversed the judge's denial of the client's motion to reopen, and remanded the case to the immigration court to allow the client to contest his deportability and prospectively file for permanent residency in the U.S.

October 2008
KLOL sees its 3000^th client open her case with our office!!!

September 2008 - October 2008
KLOL represented landlord attempting to evict family of gang bangers. Our attorneys got an eviction order and money judgment of several hundred dollars against "tough" tenants.

September 2008
Together with prominent Chicago civil rights attorney, Greg Kulis, KLOL files a lawsuit in federal court against the Cook County Sheriff for its failure to respect immigrants' right to bond, and its wrongfully keeping thousands of immigrants in custody simply because immigration authorities display an interest in the detainee. Soon thereafter, the county modified its practices and now provides an informational handout to immigrants' friends and family who attempt to post bond at the Cook County Jail - and now accepts the bond!

September 2008
Some half-a-dozen immigration arrestees and KLOL clients are released from immigration custody after KLOL files and argues bond motions before the Immigration Court.

August 2008
KLOL is featured in Hoy Newspaper featuring the opening of its Mexico City office.

August 2008
KLOL publishes article in the newspaper USA Hispanos on the relatively unknown and underused waiver, the "I-212 PERMISSION TO REAPPLY FOR ADMISSION AFTER DEPORTATION OR REMOVAL" revealing to the community the reality that an option to secure lawful residency indeed exists for individuals who have a deportation on their record.

August 2008
After prior attorneys allowed the case to lie dormant for years, KLOL prosecutes collection action against man responsible for horrific injury to KLOL client in car accident, and recovers $118,000 for our clients.

August 2008
Non-citizen who is wrongfully accused of battery against a police officer is refused bond by the Cook County Sheriffs at the Cook County Jail after a local judge orders a bond. KLOL staff pressures the county to accept the bond, and after client is taken into immigration custody, KLOL attorneys file a bond motion before the immigration judge, securing the client's release from custody. Univision, Telemundo, and other local media covered our client's release.

July 2008 - December 2009
Car dealer took clients' money and his car; KLOL filed complaint alleging illegal conversion, KLOL attorneys obtained a $34,000 judgment against this transgressor.

July 2008
Mateo Katz begins to be featured daily at 7am on the Spanish-language radio program, El Gallo de la Mañana, at 1450AM.

July 2008
KLOL forms a professional relationship with the Law Office of Arnie Kaplan, which has some 20 years experience in bankruptcy and mortgage foreclosure work.

July 2008
After U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez wrongfully denied our client's fiancée visa, KLOL immediately faxed the relevant law to our client in Mexico which explained that the client's previous unlawful entry and presence in the U.S. did not amount to a bar to his entering on a visa. The client returned the next day with KLOL letter and fax of the relevant law, and the consular officer immediately reversed his own order and granted our client his visa.

July 2008
KLOL client who was accused of unlawful possession of a firearm was found not-guilty after KLOL took the case to trial and argued for client's innocence.

July 2008
KLOL files and obtains emergency custody order on behalf of frustrated and scared father, whose wife disappeared from the U.S. with the children. The Court ordered the wife to appear in court and answer the allegations, and now is undergoing a thorough study of the parties' homes and psychology in consideration of awarding custody to the father.

June 2008
After filing a civil suit against a debtor, KLOL secures a court judgment for more than $50,000 in damages against the defendant.

June 2008
KLOL finalizes client divorce, preserving the entire value of the marital residence for KLOL's client, with client's spouse not seeing any portion of the home's value.

June 2008 - May 2009
Representation of the petitioning custodial parent in a removal matter, concerning relocation from Illinois to Pennsylvania. Prepared extensive pleadings and legal memorandum in support of the proposed removal. Worked with parties and the Department of Marriage and Family Counseling to arrange an Emergency Intervention where an agreeable resolution was obtained. After extensive collaboration between KLOL attorney and parties, successfully executed an agreement between the parties granting the removal and facilitating the client's ability to retain sole custody while also pursuing her educational and career advancement in Pennsylvania. Our client now resides in Pennsylvania with her children.

May 2008 - September 2007
KLOL attorneys prevented father of client's child from getting visitation for period of two years and counting, where father of child allegedly hurt child and two other children that he fathered by mothers other than client.

April 2008
Awarded the "Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award" by the DePaul University College of Law LLSA (Latino Law Student's Association).

February & March 2008
Conducts over 120 free initial consultations for Mexican Nationals with hopes of immigrating legally to the United States from KLOL's newly opened Mexico City Office, in Colonia Polanco.  

February 2008
KLOL opens it's office in Mexico City, and provides free consultations to some 70 Mexican Nationals in it's first weekend of being open. Later, the office partners with immigration attorney Aaron Perez and his father, Aaron Perez, Sr., a retired immigration officer of 25 years of service, whose last tour of duty was training the non-immigrant visa section of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

February 2008
KLOL is featured in the prestigious Chicago Lawyer Magazine.

February 2008
Chicago Lawyer magazine publishes four page profile article on Mr. Katz.

Jan-Nov 2008
Won several waivers of the "10 year bar" at the U.S. Consulate at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for U.S. citizens' spouses, who had unlawful presence in the United States of many years. KLOL clients have consistently entered the U.S. as permanent residents after remaining abroad for only few short weeks.

December 2007
Obtained tens of thousands of dollars for KLOL client who was wrongfully fired by her former employer for a FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) violation, when she left work to care for her deathly ill husband who had been diagnosed with cancer.

November 2007
Client who fell asleep on city highway and was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol saw his case go to trial and won by KLOL. Client kept his CDL license after being found not guilty of the DUI.

October 2007
KLOL opens it's third office, now reaching the North Side of Chicago, at 3157 North California Avenue.

Winter 2007
Worked with KLOL immigration attorneys to win motions to terminate deportation proceedings in three different client matters, by arguing that crimes for which clients were previously convicted did not constitute aggravated felonies or crimes of moral turpitude. The government's deportation complaint was dismissed from court by the Immigration Judge and KLOL clients kept their lawful permanent residency status.

August 2007
Parentage court judge grants emergency petition to modify custody to KLOL client who had his son for summer visitation and discovered son had been all but abandoned by Seattle, Washington mother and mistreated by drug abusing current boyfriend. Our client's son is now in the loving hands of his father who has legal custody.

July 2007
KLOL obtains not guilty verdict for client accused of attacking her co-workers, client suffered no court penalty and can expunge any record of the charges from her file.

May 2007
Katz Law Office, Ltd. sees it's 2000^th client open her case with our office!!!

April 2007
A young man whose amnesty case had lingered in the Chicago immigration office for over a decade came to us to inquire if his case had been denied or was even still in the system. Within 6 months we were able to advocate for the resolution of his case and his Permanent Resident status was granted.

August 2006
Obtained thousands of dollars in monthly child support and alimony for divorcee victimized by her adulterous husband. Client kept the marital residence, both automobiles and custody of the children.

July 2006
Attorney Katz gained custody of her daughter for mother facing hostile allegations of abuse and neglect from angry ex-husband. Mother now has full custody and father only supervised visitation rights.

May 2006
Secured adoption of Mexican niece for her loving current mother and father, despite whereabouts of biological mother and father being unknown.

April 2006
A Mexican mother was placed in removal proceedings after a previous attorney advised her to file a frivolous asylum application which was denied. She retained our office which withdrew the previous application and filed for Non-LPR cancellation of removal. We presented extensive testimony from client's 14 yr old US citizen daughter on her ties to her school and community and her plans for collage. The judge granted our application: cancelled the removal of our client and granted her Permanent Resident status.

April 2006
Stopped pending foreclosure against client's house by predatory lender and consumer fraud perpetrating home repair villain, filing and fighting counter-claims against repair business intent on stealing client's home. Katz Law Office, Ltd. appeared on Channel 7 News and local newspapers regarding its representation of this client and calling out of the wrongdoings of home repair fraud.

March 2006
Obtained bail in federal case for client charged with running a fraudulent driver's license conspiracy, despite federal pre-trial services recommending client be "detained" and client not being a legal resident of the United States. Veteran criminal defense attorneys had advised attorney Katz, "this could not be done!"

December 2005
A young man who came fleeing persecution for his political activities supporting free electoral politics in Colombia came to us one month before his one-year deadline for filing for asylum. We worked with him to prepare a complete application with supporting statements and documentation of his political activities and threats he received as a result. He was interviewed a few months after the filing of his application and was granted asylum a few days before Christmas.

December 2005
Client's wife left to Florida with their daughter and no notice to father. Attorney Katz tracked down wife in Florida, served her with custody petition and won court battle against Chicago legal aid (who represented wife) in forcing wife to return to Chicago with the parties' child. Father now spends every weekend with his daughter in his home town.

October 2005
Won motion to suppress cocaine evidence on behalf of lawful permanent resident who would have suffered deportation and a felony conviction but instead saw his case dismissed and no criminal or immigration consequence whatsoever.

September 2005
Client whose DUI charge was upgraded to several felony count indictments and saw his case transferred to the felony courthouse at 26^th and California when State realized crash victim had suffered significant injury, saw no conviction after attorney Katz negotiated a supervision disposition with the state on only one charge. The remaining charges were dismissed.

August 2005
After years of mother fighting for custody and right to take daughter to Mexico with a legal aid lawyer, after hiring attorney Katz, within months attorney obtained court order granting custody and Mexican residence to mother, who today lives happily in Guadalajara, Jalisco with her beautiful daughter.

July 2005
Removed warrant from client's record and prevented likely arrest and deportation despite client's absence from court during hearing on motion to vacate warrant.

March 2005
Filed and presented Emergency Motion for Custody in Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County on behalf of out-of-state mother whose ex-boyfriend and father of her five children had abducted the children and hidden them in Cicero, Illinois. Facilitated the dispatch of teams of Cook County Sheriffs to the children's schools to recover them and return them to their rightful custodian.  

December 2004
Reduced marital debt of client from over $50,000 to less than $15,000 in post-decree divorce proceeding.

December 2004
Recovered for client $50,000 in past-due debts by negotiating and drafting settlement agreement to produce a return of the funds through a real estate sale proceeds disbursement.

December 2004
Facilitated avoidance of jail sentence and desired return to native country for client facing years in prison for several child abuse charges.

2004
Winner of the "Little Village Educator of the Year" award given by the community scholarship initiative, "Fuerza."

Present
Member and participant in the following professional organizations:

• ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America), member of the civil rights and employment law sections. Participant in the annual conference in Boston, MA, July, 2004.
• CBA (Chicago Bar Association), member of the criminal defense and immigration sections.
• ISBA (Illinois State Bar Association)
• ABA (American Bar Association)
• NACDL (National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005

(None of these memberships are required of Illinois attorneys to become licensed to practice law in Illinois or in the federal courts.)

June 2004
Admitted to practice law before the Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

May 2004
Admitted to the Illinois Bar - Licensed to practice law in Illinois by the Illinois Supreme Court.

2003
Author of the text, "Law School for High School Students (and for anybody else that wants the simple version)," which teaches high school students how to read and analyze case law and statutes, and understand the basics of several areas of law, including criminal procedure and constitutional law.

Summer 2003
Winner of the Summer Public Interest Internship scholarship/award from the Public Interest Law Institute (PILI) foundation to work for Latino civil rights at the law firm, MALDEF (Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Foundation), where he worked with attorneys and other staff on civil rights lawsuits.

Fall 2003
Winner of the community leadership award from the Little Village Community Development Corporation (LVCDC) for having involved Farragut students in a "hands-on" educational program to promote environmental activism in the Little Village community.

2000-2003
Visitor and supporter of the Huichol indigenous group of Nayarit, Mexico, during his summer and winter vacations.

Summer 2001
Worked as law clerk for the Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing, where he assisted attorneys represent indigent renters and protect them from wrongful eviction and, for many, probable homelessness. Also helped to translate the firm's "Renter's Rights Guide."

2000-Present
Founder of the law program at Farragut Career Academy; organized the donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of law books to create the first complete Federal and State (Illinois) law library in an American high school to be used in law-instruction of high school students. The library helps students research, read and brief court cases and conduct court observations as part of the instructional program. Several area law-firms and law schools donated to the collection.

WHO IS YOUR ATTORNEY? 

Matthew "Mateo" A. Katz, Esq. 

A representative of the common man and woman to enforce your legal rights. 

Matthew Katz is someone who has been committed to fighting for the rights of poor and minority communities, and for his clients. Since 1989, he has been an organizer and participant in various protests and marches for the improvement of the human condition and for the civil rights to which we are all entitled. Here, we delineate the various activities and accomplishments of his student, political and professional life.

Academic and Political Activities

Present
Current student in the Master's Program in Religious Studies at Spertus College, Chicago, Illinois. He is working towards a Ph.D. and in Religion and Rabbinic ordination.

August 2003
Received his Juris Doctor (Law Degree) from DePaul University College of Law. GPA 3.5/4.0

2002-2003
Winner of two "CALI Awards" for being the highest-scoring student in the courses, "Constitutional Law" and "Trial Advocacy," at DePaul University College of Law. He also won a scholarship to attend the Association of Trial Lawyer's of America's annual conference in San Francisco, California to represent DePaul College of Law its top trial advocacy student of the school year.

Summer 2002
Participated in a program of the William and Mary Law School based in Madrid, Spain, where he completed a week-long practicum with the Baker & McKenzie Law Firm and studied international commercial law and European Union law with Spanish attorneys and law professors.

2000-2003
Night student at DePaul University College of Law, where he completed a four-year program in three years and three summers, while still teaching full-time and coaching the Farragut debate team. Graduated in the top 20% of his class.

1996-1997
Weekly columnist for the "Daily Illini Newspaper" in Champaign, Illinois, where he wrote about human rights, government corruption, police brutality throughout the Americas and about the marches and protests in which he and other political activists participated, including the Latino March on Washington, in October of 1996.

Summer 1996
One of twelve students who traveled to Mexico City to study the history of the Mexican Revolution and the life of Emiliano Zapata at the International University of the United States, where he earned academic honors.  

Spring 1996
Principal organizer of the student movement, "March for Justice," in Champaign-Urbana, in which hundreds of students marched together in protest against Illinois' version of California's Proposition 187, which forced immigrants to show ID/proof of citizenship before being provided health care at hospitals or before being admitted to public schools, and against the cutbacks in student loans and repeal of affirmative-action programs in college admissions.

1995-1996
International reporter for the radio program, "Labor Beat," Champaign Public Radio, calling in analyses of the international labor movement from Mexico and Spain.

Fall 1995
Honors student at the University of Granada, Granada, Spain, in history, politics and language.

Summer 1994
Co-organizer of "Zapatista Solidarity," at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, a group which organized to support the Mexican indigenous and served as one of four-thousand participants from forty-four countries in the "International Encounter for Humanity and Against Neo-Liberalism" as a representative of the U of I chapter to dialogue with activists and with the Zapatistas in the Lacandon Rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico.

1993-1997
Honors student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in History and Education. Earned a Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of Social Studies. 3.5/4.0 GPA.

Since 1989
Organizer and participant in marches and protests for human and civil rights, the rights of unions, workers and against the KKK.

Professional Activities

1997-Present
Instructor of U.S. History, U.S. Government and Law, History of Latin-America, World Studies and Economics, at Farragut Career Academy high school in Little Village, Chicago, Illinois.

1997-2003
Winner of six awards for educational programs at Farragut high school, one of which included an Oppenheimer Grant for the "Race, History and YOU" project, which, for four consecutive years on Saturdays in May, brought hundreds of high-schoolers from throughout Chicagoland to be taught about the history of social justice in the Americas by Farragut high school students. Another grant funded travel to Germany as part of an Illinois State Board of Education delegation to meet with German dignitaries and develop post-Holocaust era curriculum for U.S. schools. Another award was granted by the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities to study the history of cartography and develop curriculum at the University of Illinois in Chicago.