Meet the Firm

Joanna founded her practice with a simple mission: to provide sophisticated legal counsel with the warmth and transparency that families deserve.

Joanna focuses on estate and trust administration, personal injury, and real estate, bringing a holistic approach to every matter. Whether she is helping a young family protect their minor children or guiding an executor through the complexities of probate, Joanna’s goal is to ensure her clients feel heard, supported, and legally secure from start to finish.

A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Joanna has spent over a decade advocating for her clients and her community. Her commitment to equal access to justice is a cornerstone of her practice; she currently serves on the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Young Professionals Board and is a proud alumna of the Justice Entrepreneurs Project.

Recognized by her peers for her excellence and dedication, Joanna was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star consecutively from 2017 through 2024—an honor reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois.

Education

• Juris Doctor, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, College of Charleston

Admissions & Memberships

• State of Illinois Bar, 2013
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Bar, 2016
• Member: Illinois State, Chicago, and DuPage County Bar Associations
• Member: Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
• Young Professionals Board Member, Chicago Bar Foundation

Key Speaking Engagements

• Setting Client Expectations in a Digital Age – Chicago Bar Association
• Estate Planning for the Modern Family – Oswego Senior Center
• When Death and Foreclosure Collide – Association of Foreclosure Defense Attorneys

When she isn’t at the firm, Joanna is likely found outdoors. As an avid horse rider and owner, she finds her best balance in the saddle. At home, she stays busy as a mom and a Girl Scout Troop Leader, where she enjoys mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Cheryl is an Associate Attorney at Long Law Group, where she focuses her practice on estate planning, probate administration, and real estate transactions. With a background rooted in courtroom advocacy, Cheryl brings a meticulous eye for detail and a steady hand to clients navigating the complexities of the Illinois legal system.

Before joining the firm, Cheryl served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Criminal Misdemeanor Division of the Will County State’s Attorney Office. This experience provided her with invaluable insight into the litigation process and the importance of clear, compassionate communication during high-stakes legal matters. Today, she applies that same dedication to protecting her clients’ legacies and ensuring their peace of mind.

Cheryl earned her Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School and her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Benedictine University. She is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Wisconsin, allowing her to serve families with multi-state interests.

Admissions

• Illinois Bar License, 2023
• Wisconsin Bar License, 2023

Outside of the office, Cheryl is a creative spirit who enjoys gardening, painting, and exploring local art and music. Her creative approach to life mirrors her approach to the law: finding thoughtful, personalized solutions for every family she represents.

Mary brings over forty years of diverse legal experience Long Law Group, where she serves as Of Counsel with a dedicated focus on Estate Planning and Probate Administration.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Mary’s legal career is defined by her versatility. Her background spans residential real estate and complex civil litigation, including employment law, construction, and high-stakes estate disputes. This unique litigation perspective allows her to “stress-test” estate plans, identifying potential conflicts before they arise to ensure her clients’ legacies are protected.

Mary is particularly passionate about the “counselor” aspect of her role. She takes a hands-on approach to easing the administrative and emotional challenges families face during difficult life transitions. By combining her technical knowledge of real estate and probate with a compassionate ear, she helps clients navigate the legal process with confidence and clarity.

Education

• Juris Doctor, University of Illinois College of Law (Champaign-Urbana)
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Japanese, Quincy University

Outside of her legal practice, Mary stays busy with her large extended family and is an active member of her local church community. Having studied Japanese in her undergraduate years, she maintains a lifelong interest in language and global cultures.

John R. Antia earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 2013. Prior to becoming an attorney, he earned his Master of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching of History from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

John continued to finetune his professional and personal skillsets, and developed meaningful relationships with non-profits, churches, and other local-area legal aid organizations that helped to provide equal access to our legal system.

John is fluent in Spanish.

Professional Memberships

• State of Illinois Bar License – 2013
• US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – 2014
• US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit – 2014
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Member – Since 2013

​

Raven Horn earned her Master’s in Legal Studies from Texas A&M University in 2025 and joined Long Law Group in 2024. She began her legal career in 2020 at the Will County Circuit Clerk’s Office as a Court Services Representative and was promoted to Court Clerk in 2021, where she gained valuable insight into court procedures and operations.

In December 2022, Raven earned her Paralegal Certificate and transitioned into a Legal Secretary role in the Criminal Misdemeanor Department at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, further expanding her experience within the criminal justice system. Her passion for helping others is reflected in her strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Education & Certifications

• Master of Legal Studies, Texas A&M University (2025)
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Minor(s) in Communication and Sociology, Muskingum University (2016)
• Paralegal Certificate, Eastern Gateway Community College (2022)
• Notary Public (2023)

With a passion for justice and a commitment to equity, Alexandria Purnell embodies the spirit of advocacy that drives the Long Law Group. Her academic journey in political science, underscored by her minors in legal studies and criminology, has equipped her with a profound understanding of the complexities within our legal system.

Alexandria’s aspiration to attend law school is fueled by her dedication to uplifting underrepresented communities, ensuring that everyone has access to the legal support they deserve. As she prepares to embark on this next chapter, her enthusiasm for making a positive impact aligns perfectly with our mission of helping families at all stages of life.