Meet Our Staff

Susan Smith

Susan has been with the law firm since August 2011. She works with attorney Tom Polacek within the areas of personal injury, criminal defense & DUI, driver’s license reinstatement, employment, and Social Security Disability. She comes to the firm with over 20 years experience in personal injury and insurance defense work.

Susan was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Laura Casey

Laura is a Family Law Paralegal and is Assistant at the firm. With more than 25 years of paralegal experience, Laura has an energy and passion for her work in the area of family law. Assisting the team exclusively in divorce, paternity and post decree matters, she serves as an intermediary between attorney and client, seeing each case through to its resolution. While assisting our clients through the many pitfalls of cases involving time sharing, child support, discovery coordination and trial prep, Laura prides herself in helping families in transition.

Laura received her Paralegal Certificate from American Institute for Paralegal Studies in Chicago. Prior to joining McNamara Phelan McSteen in 2009, Laura worked as the litigation paralegal for Norton, Mancini, Weiler & DeAno.

Born and raised in Chicago, Laura enjoys music, movies and family time. She is a member of the Cathedral of St. Raymond and enjoys volunteering in the community. Past board member of Joliet Junior Women’s Club. Current member of the Illinois Paralegal Association and National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

Dawn Alexander

Dawn joined McNamara Phelan McSteen in April, 2015. She is the legal assistant to John Rossi and Todd Polito. She assists in the areas of family law, probate, adoption, powers of attorney, traffic and criminal.

Before joining McNamara Phelan McSteen, Dawn worked at her prior law firm for thirteen years in the areas of real estate, social security, probate and family law. She has been a legal assistant for 30 years.

Dawn grew up in the southwest suburbs and has lived in the Will County area for over twenty years with her husband and three children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her interests include crocheting, cooking and gardening.

Leticia Ordonez

Leticia joined McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC in May 2019. Assistant to Brian Cichon, she concentrates in workers’ compensation, real estate, civil litigation and small claims. She serves as liaison between clients, opposing counsel, title companies, mortgage lenders, and insurance companies.

Leticia’s prior work experience includes office administration, hospitality, and retail banking. She has an education in paralegal studies, including a Paralegal Certificate from Joliet Junior College and a B.S. major in Paralegal Studies at Regent University.

Leticia was born and raised in Grundy County and enjoys working in Will County. She also enjoys going out with friends and travelling.

Ashley Arends

Ashley joined McNamara Phelan McSteen in June, 2019 as our receptionist. She is responsible for directing all calls, greeting clients with her friendly personality, and other administrative duties.

Ashley was born and raised in the Will county area and currently resides in Joliet. She has a professional background in delivering exceptional customer service. She enjoys spending time with her friends, and family, and in her spare time she loves to cook and play with her new puppy.

Morgan Luckey

Morgan joined MPM in September, 2019. She is legal assistant to Todd Polito, and provides support in the areas of family law, traffic and criminal defense.

Before joining McNamara Phelan McSteen, Morgan worked at Codilis and Associates, P.C. She graduated from Carthage College in 2017, with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Sociology. She grew up in Will County and currently resides in Joliet. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and attending sporting events.