We’re Not Just Lawyers. We’re YOUR Lawyers.
We’re committed to every client. And invested in every outcome.
James A. (Jim) Erwin - Principal
James is the founding partner of Erwin Law LLC, a Chicago firm providing legal counsel in real estate, business, estate planning and bankruptcy. James’ practice focuses primarily on real estate and entrepreneurial business, representing his clients in residential and commercial real estate development, investment and management as well as small to mid-size business start-up and operations guidance. A fast-growing subset of his practice is in counseling athletes in the selection, maintenance and oversight of their real estate and business investments.
James graduated from Lake Forest College in 1989 with a B.A. in Business Administration and obtained his law degree from De Paul University’s College of Law in 1992, the same year in which he was admitted to the Illinois Bar. He earned a Masters in Tax Law (LL.M.) at Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1996 and was also admitted to the Bar of the United States Tax Court that year. In 1997, he was licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
A member of numerous local, state and national bar associations, James is also committed to various philanthropic efforts including support and work for the Lane Tech 2nd Century Foundation, Merit School of Music and Welles Park (Chicago) Little League Baseball.
Shari Erwin - Partner
After obtaining a BA in accounting from DePaul University, Shari went on to graduate from DePaul University College of Law in 1996 and became a member of the Illinois bar that same year. She later was also admitted to practice before the US Tax Court. In 2006, Shari became a licensed CPA in the State of Illinois.
Combining her legal and accounting backgrounds, Shari has gained valuable experience in several high profile entities, including work with the Chicago Appeals Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Ernst & Young LLP, Chapman & Cutler, the National Bank of Canada, Commerzbank and Bearing Point.
She serves as a consultant to Erwin Law, providing expertise on areas of complex accounting and other compliance matters faced by the firm’s corporate clients.
Elea Nielsen - Elea Nielsen - Senior Associate Attorney
Elea’s practice focuses on Estate planning and Probate matters, and she was happy to join Erwin Law in 2024. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA in Theatre and received an MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She later returned to school to study law, and earned her JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law in December 2010.
Elea knows that the needs and goals of every client are unique. A person’s introduction to Estate planning or Probate can be a time shadowed by anxiety and even grief, and Elea strives to demystify the process, guiding each client through their personal journey with empathy and understanding. Her previous experience in Family and Divorce Law allows her to thoughtfully advise clients on family law issues associated with their estate matters as well.
A member of the Illinois Bar Association, Elea is also a fundraising board member for her local Chicago Public School, and supports girls’ sports and the fine arts community in Chicago.
Ezekial McDonald-Lewis - Associate Attorney
Ezekial McDonald-Lewis joined Erwin Law in 2021, and practices in the areas of civil litigation and real estate, bringing to bear his background in title insurance and real estate matters.
Zeke passed the Illinois State Bar in 2020, and practiced civil litigation and family law before joining Erwin Law. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December of 2019 and, while there, represented clients in landlord-tenant and employment litigation through the Neighborhood Law Clinic. He also helped collect research for a study on revocation of supervision in Wisconsin, and was a T.A. for first-year law students in property law and criminal law classes.
Zeke received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2016, double-majoring in Legal Studies and Philosophy. He received a certificate in Criminal Justice, as well. His Criminal Justice internship, a requirement for the Program, resulted in a Probation and Parole Agent position through the Wisconsin Department of Community Corrections.
Paige N. Fox — Of Counsel - Paige N. Fox
Paige N. Fox (she/her), of Fox Law, LLC, brings compassion, understanding and knowledge to the practice of estate planning and elder law. She assists clients of all ages with estate planning, special needs planning, asset preservation and Medicaid planning, trust administration, probate estates, guardianship, negotiations with long-term care facilities, contract review and overall assistance with navigating the challenges seniors and individuals with disabilities navigate on a daily basis. She is able to empathize with clients while also communicating complex issues in a thorough, yet simplified, way so that they are able to better understand and appreciate the specific matter and considers herself an advocate for her clients throughout the entire aging process.
As President Elect of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Chair for the CBA’s Young Lawyers Section Serving Our Seniors Committee, and Co-Chair Illinois NAELA’s Education Committee, Paige continues to develop her skill set and knowledge on elder law and estate planning matters. She also plays an active role for Illinois NAELA’s Membership, Sponsorship, and Social Media Committees, as well as NAELA National’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Paige was deemed a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2022 and 2023, an honor earned by only 2.5% of the top attorneys in Illinois under 40 years old or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. In June 2023, she was awarded the David C. Hilliard Award by the CBA’s Young Lawyers Section, in recognition of her outstanding work with the Serving Our Seniors committee.
Ms. Fox received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 2012, where she majored in psychology with a minor in communications. She graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015, where she earned her JD and a Certificate in Public Interest Law, receiving the Dean’s Certificate of Service in recognition of her 200+ hours of volunteer work during law school.
Paige is an active volunteer with the CBA’s Wills for Heroes Foundation, providing essential legal documents to first responders free of charge, as well as the CBA Lawyers in the Classroom program, helping second through eighth grade students better understand the U.S. Constitution, our legal system, and law-related careers. In 2021, Paige started her own project, #DoBetterChi, which consists of fundraising to create bags of food items and toiletries for individuals in Chicago’s Uptown area who are currently experiencing homelessness.
Alicia Erwin - Managing Real Estate Assistant
Angela Adams - Real Estate Assistant
Aida Hadzibulic – Staff Assistant
