I was born and raised in Carthage, Illinois, a small town with a one-room schoolhouse, where I lived until I went to college at Bradley University to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management. From there I moved to Chicago to graduate from John Marshall Law School. I continued in my academic pursuits at Western Illinois University to study accounting and finance. I’ve been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association since 1976, and I’ve practiced civil law in McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Cook counties since 1980 with no desire to slow down practicing law anytime soon.

I was born and raised in Carthage, Illinois, a small town with a one-room schoolhouse, where I lived until I went to college at Bradley University to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management. From there I moved to Chicago to graduate from John Marshall Law School. I continued in my academic pursuits at Western Illinois University to study accounting and finance. I’ve been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association since 1976, and I’ve practiced civil law in McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Cook counties since 1980 with no desire to slow down practicing law anytime soon.

My wife Linda and I made the decision to move from Hancock County Illinois, where I was practicing as States Attorney, to Crystal Lake 34 years ago. We liked the mix of city and rural life, the hometown-feel with urban potential. Our office building reflects the same balance of the modern and historical feel that flows throughout Crystal Lake. Our office is a 100 year old Dutch colonial two-story farm home that has been converted into office space. The support beams came from McCormick Place having survived the Chicago Fire, and pictures of the original homeowners still hang on its walls hiding the phone lines and high speed Wi-Fi that run throughout the building to support my six assistants and associate attorney Michael Barrett.

What I like best about practicing civil law is that I enjoy a challenge; each day at our office is vastly different from the day before. What sets me apart from other attorneys in the area is that I truly listen to my agents and clients when others would pass them over. Taking the time to hear about what their concerns are and reaching a mutually agreeable outcome is what motivates me. My goal is to provide the best quality service and most sound advice to our clients. The staff that I’ve hired share my desire to treat each client as an individual and not a file number. As a part of helping others, I am a board member of the Lake and McHenry County Consumer Credit Counseling Services, where clients receive counseling service at little or no costs in the areas of consumer debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and short sale.

My office keeps me busy, but spending time with my wife, daughter, son-in-law, and our two young grandchildren make each day worthwhile. If you see me around town with my family please say hello, they would love to meet you.

CRYSTAL LAKE (March 17, 2014) – Huls has strengthened his expanding Real Estate Law practice in McHenry, Lake and Cook County with the arrival of Michael Barrett, who brings; 25 years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Attorney James Huls says, “Michael has built an impressive wide-ranging and sophisticated practice representing Real Estate and Bankruptcy legal compliance matters. As this office’s Real Estate and Financial practice continues to grow and represent clients throughout the Chicago Land area, a lawyer with Mike’s experience and understanding of all the most technical and current issues is enormously valuable.

Huls Law practice has grown organically from within since 1987 and is now the time for the addition of an experienced and qualified attorney like Michael Barrett said James D. Huls. “We’re very pleased to have him join us and look forward to further growth in the Bankruptcy practice with his contribution.”

Mr. Barrett added, “I’m very pleased to join this office of first-rate professionals who are committed to developing meaningful, ongoing relationships with clients by adding my knowledge in bankruptcy law. I look forward to working and building my practice here.”

Mr. Barrett earned his Juris Doctorate in 1989 from Northern Illinois University and a B.S. in Finance in 1986 from Northern Illinois University. Michael Barrett is very involved in the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and community. He is involved in the Knights of Columbus as a 4th Degree Knight and is a local and district degree team member. Michael is the current Lay Director of the Christ Renews His Parish program and assists his church as a Eucharistic Minister. He is a past President of the Illinois Jaycees and is a past legal counsel for the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a precinct committeeman candidate in McHenry County for the Republican Party.

Brian specializes in handling all types of real estate transactions and estate planning matters. Brian is fluent in Spanish and received his B.A from the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign where he graduated with highest honors. Brian attended Northern Illinois University College of Law and graduated Magna Cum Laude. During his time at NIU, Brian was vice president of the Latino Law Student Association, treasurer of the Student Bar Association, recipient of the HLSF Fellowship at the National Labor Relations Board and received an excellence award for highest course grade.

Brian uses his skills not only to serve his clients, but also to serve his community as a volunteer attorney for Centro De Esperanza out of Carpentersville, IL and Administer Justice in Elgin, IL. Prior to joining JD Huls and Associates, Brian worked for an AmLaw 200 National firm, where he dealt with complex litigation representing individuals and corporations on a variety of matters.

During his free time, you can find Brian cheering on the Chicago Bears or out on a kayak with his lab/pit mix pup, Atticus.