Our Team

FOUNDER and PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY (she/her)

Elise Meintanis is the driven owner of Law Works Illinois by Harmening Law as an experienced attorney based in the Chicagoland area admitted to practice in both Illinois and Indiana.

Elise prides herself on serving clients on a flat-fee basis with predictable pricing while offering high quality services. Using technology to bridge the access gap is critical to her practice. Elise sets folks up for success through reasonable and well thought out expectations. She approaches her cases with care and understanding to ease clients through critical moments in their lives.

Beyond her role as a legal professional, Elise is a mother, high school debate coach, a musician, and passionate crafter. She loves a good podcast and is always looking for a good book series to read.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY (she/her)

Alison Szumsky is an Associate Attorney at Law Works Illinois by Harmening Law, where she helps individuals and families navigate divorce, parenting disputes, support matters, parentage, and other family law issues. She is committed to providing thoughtful legal counsel and steady advocacy while helping clients move forward with confidence during challenging times.

Alison approaches every case with the understanding that each family has its own unique story and goals. She believes clients deserve honest guidance, responsive communication, and practical solutions tailored to their individual circumstances. Whether resolving matters through negotiation or advocating in court, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve outcomes that protect what matters most to them.

Before joining Law Works Illinois, Alison served as a Staff Attorney at a Chicagoland nonprofit legal services organization and a Associate Attorney at a family law firm, where she gained experience representing clients in both cooperative and highly contested family law matters. 

Outside of work, Alison enjoys spending time with her family and their black Labrador.

PARALEGAL (she/her)

Sofía Hernández is a committed Paralegal at Law Works Illinois by Harmening Law, where she provides essential support to the lead attorney in every stage of a case.

Her work ensures that the attorney can focus fully on strategy and advocacy, while clients receive the guidance and attention they need throughout the process. By leveraging technology, Sofía helps matters move forward efficiently and keeps communication clear and accessible.

Her background in law and experience both as a litigator and consultant allow her to bring valuable insight and structure to the firm’s work. Sofía is dedicated to making clients feel at ease, combining professionalism with empathy to guide them through important and often difficult moments in their lives.

In her free time, Sofía enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, reading books, and exploring art.

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR (he/him)

Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our Financial Director ensures everyone understands the unique billing structure with Law Works Illinois.