Sarah L. Merkatoris joined Cowlin, Curran & Hanzel as an associate in 2022. She concentrates in the areas of municipal and local government law, civil litigation, and estate planning.

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Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sarah moved to Illinois in 2015 upon completing her undergraduate degree in Communications and Political Science. After working in supply chain management for four years, Sarah continued her education by obtaining a Juris Doctor degree with a certificate in Healthcare Compliance. During law school, Sarah served as Business Manager of the DePaul University Law Review Journal, Director of Communications for the Public Interest Law Association, Teaching Assistant for the Academic Success Program and Legal Writing Program, and Research Assistant for numerous professors. Sarah earned three CALI awards (highest grade in the class) for Federal Income Taxation, Corporate Taxation, and Negotiations.

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As an associate at Cowlin, Curran & Hanzel, Sarah assists clients in navigating all aspects of the legal system. She counsels the firm’s municipal and local government clients regarding issues of statutory compliance, administrative review, and ordinance violations. This includes prosecuting a heavy caseload of traffic-related offenses, including DUI charges and driver’s license violations. Sarah also represents individuals and private business clients in civil disputes disposed of by settlement, arbitration, or litigation, and she has experience with estate planning and probate administration.

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Sarah happily lives in Crystal Lake and hopes to continually contribute to the local community.

 

EDUCATION

University of Wisconsin- Madison, B.A., 2015 with distinction

DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 2022

ADMISSIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

Illinois, 2022

American Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

McHenry County Bar Association

Chicago Bar Association

Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys 
 

PRACTICE AREAS

Municipal & Local Government

General Civil Litigation

Estate Planning & Probate

Real Estate & Land Use

Healthcare Compliance