Shayla Louise Maatuka has transitioned her solo law practice in Urbana to become a partner at Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, where she currently serves as managing partner. With a robust background as an entrepreneur who has successfully launched four businesses, Shayla combines her business and legal expertise. Her practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business litigation.
Deeply committed to community engagement, Shayla actively supports others in achieving their entrepreneurial aspirations. She has previously held positions on the boards of the East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, the Executive Club of Champaign County, and the Champaign County Urban League. Shayla earned her law degree from the University of Illinois and has been practicing law since 2004.
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Professional Associations and Activities
East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, former board member, 2005 – present
The Executive Club of Champaign County, former board member, 2009 – present
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, ISBA
Champaign County Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association – 2004 to present
Handled several pro bono cases involving guardianship, abuse and neglect, and family law, 2004 – present
Former Real Estate Management Company
Real estate seminar instructor
Will and estate planning seminar instructor
Mettler Studios, Inc Board member 2014 – present
Visit Champaign County Board, Vice-Chair 2016 – 2017
Honors and Awards
Leadership Illinois, class of 2013
Central Illinois Business Magazines Annual 40 Under 40 Award recipient, 2011
United States Northern and Central District of Illinois Court: 2005 – present
University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IL, J.D.: 2003
University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, B.S.: 1995
State of Illinois Supreme Court: 2004 – present
Roaa M. Al-Heeti
Partner
Attorney Bar Number: 6292254
Roaa M. Al-Heeti specializes in corporate and business law, immigration law, estate planning and trust administration, real estate law, guardianship, probate and small estate administration. She earned her B.S., M.S., and J.D. from the University of Illinois and becoming a member of the Illinois Bar in 2007.
She is actively involved in professional associations including the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Executive Club of Champaign County, the East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Champaign County Bar Association. Roaa is also an affiliate member of the Champaign County Association of Realtors. Her accomplishments include being named one of Central Illinois Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and receiving the 2014 Global Mobility and Immigration Award for her excellence in immigration consultancy in Illinois.
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Professional Associations and Activities
Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois College of Law
Champaign County Bar Association, Member: 2007 – present
American Immigration Lawyers Association Member: 2008 – present
East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, Board Member: 2010 – present
The Executive Club of Champaign County, Former Board Member, Member: 2010 – present
Illinois State Bar Association, Member: 2007 – present
2014 Global Mobility and Immigration Award winner for sustained excellence in immigration consultancy for the state of Illinois
40 Under 40 Award recipient awarded by Central Illinois Business Magazine, 2009
40 Under 40 Award Judge for Central Illinois Business Magazine, 2018
Immigration: What Everyone is Talking about, Central Illinois Business Magazine, April/May 2017
Areas of Practice
Corporate and business
IMMIGRATION
real estate
guardianship
estate planning
Qualifications
Languages: Arabic, English
Partner, Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC
University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana, IL, J.D. Cum Laude: 2007
University of Illinois College of Communications, M.S.: 2006
University of Illinois College of Communications, B.S. Magna Cum Laude: 2004
Law journal: Elder Law Journal, notes editor and member: 2005 – 2007
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois: 2010
Kyle J. Emkes
Partner
Attorney Bar Number: 6303247
Kyle practices in a range of legal services, including estate planning (from simple to complex), farm and business succession planning, wills, trusts, Special Needs planning, as well as establishing and administering Special Needs Trusts, He represents clients in real estate transactions, sports law, agricultural law, and drainage law. Kyle’s knowledge extends to business law, including LLC and S-Corp incorporations, partnerships, probate, and trust administration.
Kyle earned his B.S. from the University of Illinois, achieving his dreams of competing in both Cross Country and Track & Field for the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. After three years as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, he spent two years at Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kyle returned to the University of Illinois for his third year to work in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics compliance office and served as an extern with the Office of University Counsel.
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Qualifications
Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, MI
University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IL, J.D.: 2008
University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, B.S.: 2005
Major: Leisure Studies and Sports Management
Bar Admissions, Illinois: 2010
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois: 2010
U of I Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Intern: 2007 – 2009
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2017 –present
U of I Office of University Counsel, Extern: 2007 – 2008
Visiting Instructor of Legal Aspects of Sport, University of Illinois: 2011 – present
Instructor of Introduction to Sports Law, University of Illinois Springfield Campus: 2016 – present
MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Illinois State Bar Association, Member: 2010 – present
Champaign County Bar Association, Member: 2010 – present
