NIU Law Alumni Council Elects New Executive Board

From left: Interim Dean Mark Cordes, President Larry Stein (’93), Secretary Rachel Hernandez Hoag (’05), Outgoing President Melinda Rosales Byerly (’03), Second Vice President Jay Wiegman (’92), and First Vice President Omar Salguero (’12).

The NIU College of Law Alumni Council elected a new Executive Board at its meeting on October 13, 2018.  Larry Stein (’93) was named president, transitioning from his previous position as first vice president. Omar Salguero (’12) was named first vice president, transitioning from his previous role as second vice president. Jay Wiegman (’92) was elected second vice president and Rachel Hernandez Hoag (’05) was elected secretary.

Larry Stein (’93) has his own law firm, Lawrence A. Stein, LLC in Chicago, IL. Larry represents parties to civil and criminal actions in state and federal courts and other tribunals. He has handled numerous jury trials, bench trials, proceedings before arbitration tribunals, mediation sessions, and appeals, including appeals to the Supreme Court of Illinois. He generally represents business interests in commercial disputes, but often represents individuals in estate contests and personal injury litigation. Larry specializes in commercial litigation, estate and trust contests, appeals, and emergency litigation.

Omar Salguero (’12) has a solo practice in Aurora, Rockford, and DeKalb where he practices Immigration Law in Northern Illinois. Through his banking, academic, and international experiences, Omar brings a fresh and culturally sensitive approach to working with clients. Additionally, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. As a law student, Omar served as president of the Latino Law Student Association (LLSA) and as the Central Regional Director for the National LLSA. In 2012, he was recognized for his leadership and service with the Edward F. Diedrich Award during Commencement.

Jay Wiegman (’92) has been an Assistant Appellate Defender with the Office of the State Appellate Defender in Ottawa since 2003. After graduating from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1992, he was engaged in private practice for 11 years, and practiced extensively in both state and federal trial courts. For several years, he served as a Kane County conflicts attorney for the Public Defender in felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases.

Rachel Hernandez Hoag (’05) is a Collaborative Family Attorney and founder of Hernandez Hoag Legal Solutions, LLC, in St. Charles, where she focuses on utilizing innovative alternatives to litigation including working with mental health professionals and financial professionals in order to better serve clients. Rachel provides mediation services and limited scope representation and serves as a court appointed guardian ad litem and mediator in Kane County. Rachel is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association (serving on the Solo Small Practice Committee), the Kane County Bar Association, the DeKalb County Bar Association, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois (Board member) and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She serves on the Community Crisis Center Board of Directors and volunteers with her church and her children’s school.

The Alumni Council is extremely grateful to outgoing president Melinda Rosales Byerly (’03) who has served for the past two years.  Her contributions to the Council leadership have been vital to the success of the NIU College of Law.

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