Andrea L. Kmak is a new member to the Women and the Law Committee having been appointed in 2018. She grew up in Homer Glen and currently practices at SpyratosDavis LLC where she focuses on insurance defense, personal injury, insurance coverage, subrogation, arbitration, probate, and commercial litigation matters. She practices in both of the firm’s locations in Lisle and Chicago. Her biggest influences are her family members who have taught her to give 100 percent in life’s endeavors.

Ms. Kmak attended Lockport Township High School and graduated from Elmhurst College with Bachelors of Science in both Business Administration and Political Science and Minors in both Spanish and Urban Studies. Her mother is a paralegal and encouraged her to become an attorney. Ms. Kmak attended The John Marshall Law School. Even during law school, Ms. Kmak attended Illinois State Bar Association (“ISBA”) events, local bar association events, and ISBA-sponsored CLE. She now is a practicing attorney and wishes to be more involved in the ISBA and further utilize the networking opportunities that the ISBA offers.

As an attorney, she finds most rewarding the opportunity to be able to build strong professional relationships and trust with clients. She specifically enjoys working with clients on a day-to-day basis and knowing that they truly trust her to handle their case. Although Ms. Kmak has a good sense of humor, do not tell her any lawyer jokes! Ms. Kmak finds the overall stigma of the profession to be the most disappointing aspect about being an attorney.

In addition to serving on the ISBA Women and the Law Committee, Ms. Kmak is also involved with the DCBA Brief as an Editorial Board member, DuPage Association of Women Lawyers as a director, and DuPage County Bar Association as a Civil Law Section Leadership Committee member.

Ms. Kmak advises new female lawyers to do what they love and to not forget to take time to take care of themselves. She is currently engaged to Luke, who is a high school P.E. teacher, and their wedding is planned for August 2019. In her spare time, Ms. Kmak enjoys going to the gym, doing yoga, and spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Sadie and Piper. She also volunteers on the weekends with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association where she assists in teaching a yoga class for adults with disabilities.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is a member of the WATL Committee and a partner at Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston, LLC in Streator, Illinois, where she focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, family law, and civil litigation.