Justine was raised in the Chicago suburbs. Throughout high school, she worked a series of part-time jobs as a sales clerk and became familiar with each retailer’s products: doughnuts and dinner rolls at Bernhardt’s Bakery, light bulbs and face cream at Petranek’s Pharmacy, and slippers and knee socks at Marshall Field’s department store. Although she still knows the difference between a Boston Crème Doughnut and a French Cruller, the most valuable lesson she learned during those hours after school is that successful businesses identify the client’s needs and exceed the client’s expectations.

As an attorney in PJI’s Estate Planning group, Justine believes that the true goal of an estate plan is much greater than stating who receives a person’s property after his or her death. She encourages clients to consider who will assist them with health care decisions and financial transactions when they cannot do so for themselves. Who will care for their minor children in the event of an emergency? What if they need to move but are unable to manage the logistics of selling their home? After meeting with clients to identify their estate planning needs, Justine designs comprehensive plans that accomplish their goals while avoiding family conflict, administrative hurdles, and legal expenses. Comprehensive estate plans will most often include Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives. When client circumstances warrant, Justine incorporates various additional elements including Supplemental (Special) Needs Trusts, Pet Trusts, and Special Powers of Attorney into estate planning portfolios.

As so many of our clients continually attest, Justine has the same commitment she has always had to treat clients with respect, empathy, and compassion. She listens to each client and communicates with them clearly to make sure that she understands their individual needs and they understand their best options, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every person calling on us for help gains more peace of mind and a brighter future.