Lara A. Duda
Lara A. Duda represents individuals, families, financial and healthcare institutions, and professional fiduciaries throughout the Chicagoland area.
In addition to representing clients of Duda Law Group, Lara is frequently appointed by judges in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County to serve as a Guardian Ad Litem in disabled adults estates or counsel for alleged disabled persons.
Lara has been selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer from 2021 to 2023, an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2014 to 2018, a Leading Lawyer in 2023, and an Emerging Leading Lawyer from 2015 to 2022. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of Illinois attorneys are selected to receive these honors.
Lara is a member of the Chicago Bar Association committees on Probate Practice, Elder Law, and Mental Health & Disability Law (Chair 2018-19; 2011-12). She is also a 2016 graduate of the Chicago Bar Association Leadership Institute. Additionally, Lara is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Elder Law, Trusts & Estates, and Mental Health Law committees, as well as a member of the Lake County Bar Association Section on Wills, Trusts & Probate, and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Lara has presented and moderated lectures on various estate planning and probate matters for bar associations and community and professional organizations.
Prior to opening Duda Law Group LLC, Lara was a partner at a probate and estate planning law firm in Cook County and an associate attorney at an elder law and estate planning law firm in Chicago. Lara was also previously an associate in the healthcare group of an international law firm. Prior to practicing law, Lara worked at two Chicago-area nonprofit organizations that provide housing and supportive services for seniors and people with special needs, including those with chronic mental illness.
Lara earned a Juris Doctor and certificate in Health Law from DePaul University College of Law in 2007. Lara’s academic honors included serving as a member of the DePaul Law Review, Executive Text Editor of the DePaul Journal of Healthcare Law, and the 2005 American Medical Association & DePaul Law Medical Ethics Scholar. Lara was also Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Health Law Newsletter and President of the DePaul Health Law Institute Student Board of Directors. Lara also received an Excellence for the Future Award in Elder Law and two Excellence for the Future Awards in Legal Writing & Analysis.
Prior to law school, Lara earned a Master of Science degree in Health Law & Policy from DePaul College of Arts & Sciences. She also earned Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Journalism degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lara is licensed to practice in Illinois.
