Shayla Maatuka — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

Jennifer L. Zang

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6322892

Jennifer L. Zang concentrates her practice in the areas of family law, worker’s compensation, employment law, and litigation. Jen is a 2015 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law. She is a licensed member of the Illinois Bar Association and the American Bar Association. While at the University of Illinois College of Law, Jen was active with the Illinois Innocence Project, where she fought for the rights of individuals who were wrongfully incarcerated for crimes that they did not commit and who were charged and sentenced based on questionable evidence. She also participated in the Frederick Green Moot Court Competition and the College of Law’s Family Advocacy Clinic, where she was able to assist individuals of limited means with child abuse and neglect matters. 

Jennifer L. Zang — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

Jennifer L. Zang

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6322892

Jennifer L. Zang focuses her practice on family law, workers' compensation, employment law, and litigation. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2015 and is licensed by both the Illinois Bar Association and the American Bar Association.


During law school, Jennifer was involved with the Illinois Innocence Project, advocating for individuals wrongfully incarcerated and gaining experience in the Frederick Green Moot Court Competition and the Family Advocacy Clinic. Prior to law school, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2010 and worked as a title searcher, recognized as a top producer by Attorney’s Title and Guaranty Fund Inc. Jennifer also holds a certificate in paralegal studies from Illinois State University and has 14 years of experience as a legal assistant, which fosters her dedication to the legal profession.


Jennifer actively engages in community service, particularly supporting mental health awareness and animal rescue efforts. She founded the Champaign-Urbana Lost Dog page to aid in reuniting lost dogs with their owners. 

Bar Admissions and Areas of Practice 

  • Illinois State Bar Association, 2016 
  • American Bar Association, 2016 
  • Litigation 
  • Employment Law 
  • Workers' Compensation 
  • Family Law 

Organizations and Education

  • Red Tassel Mortar Board Society 
  • Pi Sigma Alpha 
  • Lambda Epsilon Chi 
  • Golden Key 
  • Phi Theta Kappa 
  • University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IL, J.D.: 2015 
  • Illinois State University, Normal, IL, B.S.: 2010 
  • Major: Politics and Government 
  • Minor: Legal Studies 
  • Certificate of Paralegal Studies 
  • Heartland Community College, A.A.: 2004 

 

Jeffrey B. Friedman — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

Jeffrey B. Friedman

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6335890

Jeffrey B. Friedman concentrates his practice in the areas of Family Law, Litigation, and Employment Law. He has a particular interest in matters of International Divorce and Child Custody, Interstate jurisdictional issues, and the Hague Convention on the International aspects of Child Abduction. Jeff is a 2020 graduate of the University of Illinois college of Law. He is a licensed member of the Illinois Bar Association and Champaign County Bar Association. While at the College of Law, Jeff clerked for nearly a year as an extern for Judges Randall Rosenbaum and Anna Benjamin, both of the 6th Circuit Family Court. He worked as an extern at the Child Support Enforcement Unit of the Champaign States Attorneys Office. Jeff also participated in the College’s Veterans Legal Clinic, working to help veteran clients involved in international child custody disputes.

Jeffrey B. Friedman — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

Jeffrey B. Friedman

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6335890

Jeffrey B. Friedman focuses his practice on family law, litigation, and employment law, specializing in international divorce, child custody, interstate jurisdictional issues, and Hague convention matters. He earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2020 and holds licenses with the Illinois Bar Association and Champaign County Bar Association.


During law school, Jeffrey clerked for Judges Randall Rosenbaum and Anna Benjamin at the 6th Circuit Family Court and gained experience at the Child Support Enforcement Unit of the Champaign States Attorney's Office. He also contributed to the Veterans Legal Clinic, aiding veterans in international child custody disputes.


Before attending law school, Jeffrey taught Social Studies in Boston and New York, English in Japan for nearly six years, and lectured on American Studies and International Education Policy at the University of Illinois. He managed operations at the Center for African Studies (CAS) and Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies (CEAPS), and directed international teacher exchange programs on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of State.

EDUCATION, ORGANIZATIONS, AWARDS, CERTIFICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS

  • University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IL; JD, Cum Laude Ave – 2020
  • New York University, New York, NY; PhD in International Education – 2013
  • Columbia University, New York, NY; MA in American Studies – 2003
  • Brandies University, Waltham, MA; BA in American Studies & Psychology w/Minor in Education, Cum Laude – 2000
  • CALI Award for Excellence - Family Law Practice Class
  • Permanent N.Y. Teaching Certification- Secondary School Social Studies 7 – 12
  • Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society

BAR ADMISSIONS AND PRACTICE AREAS

  • Illinois State Bar Association 2021
  • Champaign County Bar Association 2021
  • Family Law
  • Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • Education Law
Shayla Maatuka — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

Wurood "Rosie" Dawoud

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6345323

Rosie’s practice areas include simple to complex estate planning including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, special needs planning and the establishment of special needs trusts, and estate and trust administration. She also handles Real Estate Transactions, Corporate Law, and Business Law, including LLCs, S-Corp incorporations and partnerships. 


Rosie earned her Juris Doctorate and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, Illinois. Prior to law school, Rosie graduated Cum Laude from the University of Illinois, Springfield with a B.S. in Legal Studies with Honors and Capital Honors. While at the U of I College of Law, she received the CALI Award for Excellence in Real Estate Transactions and Advanced Legal Writing: Appellate Advocacy. Rosie is a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority and the Phi Alpha Delta, Fraternity International.

Wurood

Wurood "Rosie" Dawoud

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6345323

Rosie specializes in estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs planning, along with estate and trust administration. She also handles real estate transactions and practices corporate and business law, focusing on LLCs, S-Corp incorporations, and partnerships.


She graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she earned her J.D. after completing her B.S. in Legal Studies with Honors and Capital Honors at the University of Illinois, Springfield. Rosie's early career at Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes involved real estate transactions, estate planning, and mentoring law clerks and interns. Her clients benefit from her meticulous approach, dedication, and deep understanding of their legal needs, ensuring tailored solutions that prioritize long-term interests.

Organizations, Awards, and Education

  • Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority
  • Phi Alpha Delta, Fraternity International
  • CALI Award for Excellence in Real Estate Transactions
  • CALI Award for Excellence in Advanced Legal Writing: Appellate Advocacy
  • University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IL, J.D.: 2023 - Cum Laude
  • University of Illinois, Springfield, IL, B.S.: 2020 - Honors and Capital Honors
  • Major: Legal Studies
  • Minor: Political Science and Philosophy

 

Bar Admissions and Areas of Practice 

  • Illinois State Bar Association, 2023
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate and Trust Administration
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Corporate and Business Law
Shayla Maatuka — Champaign, IL — Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, Attorneys at Law

CHAE LEE

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number:

Chae Lee concentrates his practice in general litigation. After graduating from the Chicago Kent College of Law in 2010, Chae focused on personal injury litigation in the Chicago metropolitan area before moving to the Urbana-Champaign area in 2017, where he continued to successfully represent clients from minor to catastrophic injuries. Prior to attending law school, Chae earned his bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Iowa. When not working, Chae enjoys spending time with his family and writing.

Wurood

CHAE LEE

Associate Attorney

Attorney Bar Number: 6304865

Chae Lee is a dedicated personal injury and general litigation attorney known for his client-focused approach and commitment to justice. With a Juris Doctorate from Chicago Kent College of Law (2010) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Iowa, Chae has built a solid legal career grounded in both skill and empathy.


After graduating, Chae honed his skills in personal injury litigation within the Chicago metropolitan area before relocating to Urbana-Champaign in 2017. There, he has continued to achieve outstanding results for clients dealing with injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic.


During law school, Chae gained valuable experience through the legal clinic program, handling disability and vaccine injury cases. He also became a certified mediator at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago, enhancing his ability to negotiate and resolve disputes effectively.

Organizations, Awards, and Education

  • Illinois Bar Association
  • Chicago Kent College of Law 2010
  • University of Iowa

Bar Admissions and Areas of Practice 

  • State Bar of Illinois 2011
  • General Litigation
  • Personal Injury
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