Janet Willerman Ellingson and her family have called Thornwood  home since August 2000, making them among the original residents of the neighborhood. Over the years, they have built lasting friendships and created a life grounded in trust, connection, and community. She  reflects on how fortunate she feels to live in a neighborhood filled with genuine people who value family—a true blessing.

As an attorney, Janet combines a wealth of knowledge with a deep sense of personal care. Her general practice includes estate planning such as wills and trusts, probate matters, guardianships, special needs planning, residential and commercial real estate, small corporations, business formation, personal injury negotiation and uncontested divorce. When a matter falls outside her scope, she refers clients to trusted colleagues, ensuring that they always receive the highest level of service.

Janet’s path to law began after she majored in special education. Encouraged by her father, who supported her both emotionally and financially, she pursued a law degree inspired by a shared love of government and the legal system. Her career has included many milestones, but perhaps none more meaningful than being admitted to the United States Supreme Court and having the opportunity to speak with the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg shared that her mentors were Amelia Earhart and Nancy Drew—intelligent, boundary-breaking women who continue to inspire generations. That moment remains one of Janet’s most treasured memories.

What Janet finds most rewarding in her practice is building long-term relationships. Each case is unique, but all require trust. For more than three decades  she served as legal counsel for the Housing Authority of Elgin. She has also been active in professional and community organizations, including Women in Management, and she and five colleagues founded a not-for-profit that provided support to seniors, low-income individuals, and victims of domestic violence.

Living and working in a close-knit community has shaped Janet’s perspective on the law. To her, practicing law is not only about procedures, but about relationships and accountability. She believes that a good lawyer will not only tell clients what they want to hear, but also what they need to hear in order to make the best decisions and achieve the best outcomes. Her advice is simple: seek counsel early. Too often, people wait until problems have grown complicated. By viewing legal advice as a planning tool—asking questions, anticipating challenges, and preparing in advance—clients can avoid difficulties and move forward with confidence. Asking questions, Janet emphasizes, is never a weakness; it is one of the smartest things a person can do.

Ellingston Law is in Elgin. Contact Janet at 847-742-8300 or Janet@ellingsonlegal.com.