Joseph C. Ponitz

Born and raised in Marengo, Illinois, Joe has very strong ties to this community. Being able to provide legal help in McHenry County and Boone County and for the people in his hometown is what makes his job as an attorney that much more special. Joe values the trust and dedication he receives from clients, as well as the good-spirited team atmosphere here at Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley.

Prior to joining Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, Joe was a prosecutor with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, which provided him with a wealth of experience in both criminal and general civil litigation.

You will work with Joe right from the get-go, and he stands by his clients no matter what. He believes in consistent open communication–he even speaks fluent Spanish.

Outside the office, Joe is very involved with his family. He has two kids and he is always going from one sporting game to the next. When he’s not rooting for his kids’ sports teams, he takes time to root for the home teams–the Cubs and Bears.

He attended the Southern Illinois University School of Law. At SIU, Joe was a published author and an editor of the school’s law review. Joe also won the SIU Alumni Association Scholarship Award.

He currently serves as an Arbitrator with the 17th Judicial Circuit. He was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Boone County and he volunteers with Healing Pathways Cancer Research Foundation.

Areas of Practice:

Criminal Defense
General Civil Litigation
Workers Compensation
Family Law
DUI
Secretary of State Hearings and Traffic
Municipal Law
Real Estate
Estate Planning
Collections
Zoning

Bar Admissions:

Illinois, 2005

Education:

Southern Illinois University School of Law, Carbondale, Illinois
Honors: Southern Illinois University Alumni Scholarship Award
Law Review: Law Review, Member

Published Works:

“Whether the Pumping of Unaltered Water Requires an NPDES Permit” – 2004
Monthly Columnist- Marengo Union View 2007-2009
“The Catalyst Theory: Before and After Buckhannon and Sierra Club” – 2005
Research and Editorial Assistance: “The Risk in Technology-Based Standards” – 2005

Professional Associations and Memberships:

McHenry County Bar Association, Member
McHenry County Youth Services Bureau, Board of Director
Boone County Bar Association, Secretary
Former Member Cosmopolitan Club of Boone County, Member

Community Involvement:

Northwest Herald Top Professional Under 40 Award
Certified Arbitrator, 17th Illinois Judicial Circuit
Healing Pathways
Member of the Governance Committee
Illinois Adopt a Highway Coordinator
Board of Directors, McHenry County Youth Service Bureau
Boone County Law Explorers

Languages:

Spanish