Dana Zivkovich
Licensed in Illinois and Indiana
Govorim Srpski Dana Zivkovich entered law school after working ten years in business management with the intention to practice corporate law upon graduation. She had envisioned working in a city skyscraper with dozens of colleagues and staff members and pouring over business analytics. With an undergraduate degree in Finance and real world experience managing corporate teams, it seemed to be a good fit. Something changed midway through law school. "During my coursework in law school, I realized I was keenly interested in helping families manage and protect their assets. I was strongly attracted to working with people closely and I felt I was able to translate legal jargon and procedure into understandable terms. I started enrolling in as many probate, real estate, estate planning, and tax courses as possible." The field of elder law was a natural extension to her interests in probate and estate planning. Elder law practice helps seniors organize their affairs, protects them from exploitation, and advocates on their behalf. "My mother had me late in life and became a widow at age 46, but remained determined to raise her family with a strong work ethic that was common among the villagers from her home country. Over the years, I witnessed people attempt to take advantage of my mother's advanced age or ignorance and after being exposed to elder law, I realized I was in a unique position to protect the elderly."
Dana is the third born child to Milan and Milica Zivkovich, both of whom immigrated to the U.S. as young adults and met in Chicago, Illinois. Volunteering has been a part of her life since middle school when she was a Junior Girl of the Ladies Auxiliary to the V.F.W. In high school, she was a member of S.A.D.D. and the Environmental Club. She continued volunteerism through as an AYSO soccer coach, in a hospital gift shop for several years, and at her church. She has served as a board member for the Serbian Bar Association of America, St. Sava Academy, and her children's folklore dance group. She has spent the majority of her life in Chicagoland but also lived in Florida, Indiana, and Bosnia. She now resides in the woods, in a tent. Not really, but she enjoys living near a forest preserve in the suburbs.
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Dana concentrates her practice in probate and trust administration and litigation, elder law issues of asset protection and Medicaid benefit eligibility, and estate planning including special needs trusts and Medicaid planning. She continues to educate herself on changing legislation in Illinois and Indiana to stay current on the issues as they evolve. She exceeds the required number of hours of continuing legal education each year and devotes a portion of her time to researching and writing about legal implications of current or pending legislation affecting her clients.
She has contributed articles to Generations Magazine and Res Gestae. She is regularly invited to speak as a panelist to discuss law practice management or to present on substantive topics. She has been featured in Chicago Lawyer Magazine, American Bar Association Journal, and as special guest on Jerry Davich's radio show Casual Fridays with Jerry Davich. In 2007, she founded a social networking group for lawyers to gather and share challenges and solutions. This group continues to meet on a monthly basis at alternating locations in Chicago. In 2015, she began working with a local television producer to develop a show discussing legal topics of interest to public access television which aired for 2 years. |
INTERESTS
LOVES
LANGUAGES
EDUCATION
PRO BONO WORK FAVORITE QUOTES CERTIFICATIONS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS PREVIOUS AFFILIATIONS |
Traveling, Writing, Learning, Watching Movies
Kids, Horses, Pizza
English, Serbian
Purdue University (2002) B.S. Finance
Valparaiso University School of Law (2006) J.D. Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Guardian Ad Litem
Cook County Circuit Court, Court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem Wills for Heroes Foundation, Attorney Volunteer Serving Our Seniors, Attorney Volunteer There's nothing about the caterpillar that tells you it will become a butterfly.
The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation. Certified Mediator by Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago
Certified Arbitrator for Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program Serbian Bar Association of America, Member, Board of Directors
Illinois State Bar Association, Member Indiana State Bar Association, Vice-Chair, General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section Chicago Bar Association, Member, Probate, Trusts, and Elder Law Sections Women Lawyers Association (of Northwest Indiana), Member, Website & Social Media Committee Chicago Friendly Lawyers Association NFP, Founder American Bar Association
National Academy of Elder Lawyers Chicago Estate Planning Council Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association Womens Bar Association of Illinois Indiana State Bar Association, Former Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee Member and Marketing Chair South Suburban Estate Planning Council Lake County (Indiana) Bar Association, Member, Probate Practice and Solo & Small Firm Sections Harwood Heights Chamber of Commerce Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce Lynwood Chamber of Commerce |