From a very young age, Marissa knew she wanted to be an attorney; mainly a family law attorney. She was born in Las Vegas, NV to an American father and a Mexican mother. Regretfully, her parents' marriage and relationship was plagued with quarrels and disputes that eventually led to a bitter divorce shortly after Marissa was born. However, it is the post-divorce issues that Marissa remembers the most; disputes as to visitation, child support, parenting styles, and removal to another country. Marissa knew who and what a "lawyer" was by the time she was five; she also knew that her parents relied on their lawyers to resolve conflicts.
Today, Marissa is a problem solver; an advocate for clients. Marissa is well versed and experienced in family law and divorce, but it is Marissa's life experiences that have transformed her into a zealous family law attorney.
Marissa is married and lives in St. Charles, Illinois alongside her husband and her two dogs: Pickles and Olive. Marissa's hobbies include dog training and singing. At the end of the day, Marissa enjoys being home with her family.
Marissa's main areas of concentration are family law matters such as Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Visitation, and Adoption. Marissa is also a court approved family Mediator and Guardian ad Litem in Kane and DeKalb County. In addition, Marissa is one of the few Kane County foreclosure mediators for the sixteenth judicial circuit.
Marissa is a frequent volunteer with the Kane County Bar Association assisting in various events such as "Ask a Lawyer Day," and "KCBA Cares," providing community services throughout Kane County. Marissa is also a proud volunteer attorney with The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a counselor to "survivors" of domestic violence and abuse.
Marissa is also a native and fluent Spanish speaker.
Marissa obtained her Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona. Marissa is admitted to practice in Illinois and in the Northern District of Illinois.
Marissa is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association, DeKalb County Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, and Illinois State Bar Association. In addition, Marissa is a member of the Kane County Family Law Committee.
