PROFILES
Stephanie A. Capps
Stephanie is the founder and principal attorney of The Capps Law Firm. She built the firm on the belief that clients want a lawyer who is personable and understanding yet aggressive and results oriented.
Stephanie initially began her career at a business and commercial litigation firm where she represented businesses and individuals in all stages of litigation. She also handled the formation of business entities, the negotiation of shareholder agreements and prenuptial agreements, corporate dissolutions, and prepared estate planning documents for high net worth individuals and couples.
Stephanie’s experience allows her to approach your needs from the perspective of a business litigator. She currently counsels clients on all aspects of estate planning and trust administration. She understands that devising an estate plan is important for her client's overall mental and financial health. She often times travels to her client's homes to ensure their comfort and convenience throughout the process. Stephanie has also served as a volunteer for Wills for Heroes, where she provides complimentary estate planning services for our servicemen and women.
Stephanie pays close attention to each client's unique situation, whether they are single, married, divorced, or widowed, and whether they have minor children, grown children, special needs children, or no children at all. Some clients have a moderate estate and wish to have a simplified plan in place while others have a large estate requiring more advanced planning techniques. Regardless of the situation, Stephanie tailors each estate plan to fit the unique needs and goals of her clients.
Stephanie also serves as a certified mediator where her business acumen and empathy for others allows her to help parties settle complex disputes in a private setting. Her ability to deliver timely results and realistic expectations are qualities that her clients appreciate. She has twice been named a Top 40 under 40 in family and matrimonial law and served on the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Council from 2016-2022. In 2022, Stephanie was selected by the Marquis Who's Who Publications Board as a subject for inclusion in their biographical record for her professional integrity, outstanding achievement in her field, and for making innumerable contributions to society.
Bar Admissions:
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Illinois Supreme Court
Education:
Center for Conflict Resolution, Certified Mediator
National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Family Law Trial Advocate
California Western School of Law, Juris Doctorate, cum laude
DePaul University, Bachelor of Science, cum laude
Publications:
"Should Statutory Rape Cases be Treated the Same as Other Forms of Criminal Sexual Abuse for Purposes of Parenting Time?" Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 65, No. 2, August 2021.
"A Brief Discussion of Inherited IRAs and Non-Modifiable Maintenance," Stephanie A. Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 64, No. 7, January 2021.
"SCOTUS Provides Guidance for Determining a Child's 'Habitual Residence' Under the Hague Convention," Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 63, No. 11, June 2020.
"Fee, fie, foe...fee? Fee Awards Under 750 ILCS 5/508(a)," Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 62, No. 5, December 2018.
"New Federal Tax Implications on Maintenance Payors and Recipients”, Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 60, No. 8, February 2018.
"New Maintenance Guidelines for Divorcing Spouses”, Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 61, No. 7, January 2018.
“New Income Shares Guidelines: Benefit of Detriment to Your Client?”, Stephanie Capps, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 61, No.1, July 2017.
“Protecting Against Illicit Access to Implantable Medical Devices”, Stephanie Capps, J. Biolaw & Bus., Vol. 13 Nos 1 & 2, 2010.
Awards and Recognitions
"Stephanie Capps Celebrated for Dedication to the Field of Law," Marquis Who's Who, Press Release December 21, 2022.
Coordinator, "Gender and Justice: Harassment and Violence Panel Discussion," Union League Club of Chicago, May 25, 2022.
Six times appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section Council, 2016-2022.
Twice named a Top 40 Under 40 in Family and Matrimonial Law by the National Advocates, 2017, 2018.
Selected for inclusion, "Women in Law," Chicago Lawyer, July 2018.
Featured, “Will the New Child Support Guidelines Help or Hurt Your Client?”, Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 105, September 2017.
Featured, Res Ispa, California Western School of Law, “Alumni Affairs”, Volume XVII, Number 1, Summer 2016.
Featured, Chicago Scene (CS), Social Circles “Bling it On”, Swarovski Red Carpet Event, Modernluxury.com, December 2015.
Recognized for obtaining a favorable trial court decision in a highly contested custody battle, Illinois Divorce Digest, “Grandparent’s Custody Visitation Campaign Ends”, 2013.
Guest Blogger, Today’s Chicago Woman, “Skype Visitation Leaves Parents Unfulfilled”, 2013.
Featured, Lawyers.com, “What’s Wrong with that Doggie in the Window”, 2013.
Guest Lecturer, Chicago Bar Association, “Animal Law and Class Actions”, 2012.
Featured, "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Happiness is Pets," Companion Animal Protection Society, February 2012.
Michelle E. Dolecki
Michelle is a legal assistant at The Capps Law Firm and a licensed Notary Public in the State of Illinois. Michelle’s responsibilities include drafting documents for estate planning matters, conducting research, filing documents, notarizing documents, and executing administrative duties for the firm. Michelle is fluent in Polish, enabling her to effectively communicate with Polish-speaking clients.
Michelle graduated from Loyola University Chicago, with a Bachelor of the Arts in Philosophy and minors in Business Administration and Criminal Justice. She received the Outstanding Philosophy Major Award, which is bestowed upon a single student for their senior thesis, professor recommendations, and academic performance. Michelle was also nominated for a Portfolio Reflection Award, recognizing her final presentation in Organizational Change and Community Leadership based on her internship at The Capps Law Firm. Michelle also served as the President and Campus Activities Network Representative for Loyola’s Pre-Law Society. Under her guidance, Pre-Law Society won the Best Academic/Honorary Organization Award and was nominated for Organization of the Year.
Lauren M. Schulze
Lauren is a legal intern for The Capps Law Firm. She graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University with a bachelor of arts in psychology and is a third-year law student at California Western School of Law. Her duties currently include client intakes, drafting documents, attending conferences, witnessing signing ceremonies, and various tasks related to trusts and estates. Upon graduation, she intends to continue her work in the trusts and estates practice area.
Lauren’s first legal experience was in personal injury law where she assisted clients with their medical treatment while obtaining the highest settlement value for their injuries. She went on to work in civil litigation where she helped companies and individuals navigate the litigation process by writing motions and attending court proceedings. Most recently, Lauren worked for a federal magistrate judge for whom she wrote social security judicial orders and offered perspectives during mediations and case management conferences. These experiences helped Lauren develop her skills in client relations and to realize the importance in devising estate plans for individuals and businesses.
