PARTNERS

The founding partner of Erwin & Associates, LLC, James graduated from Lake Forest College (Illinois) with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1989 and obtained his J.D. from De Paul University’s College of Law in 1992, the same year in which he was admitted to the Illinois Bar. He then attended the Chicago Kent College of Law and earned a Masters in Tax Law (LL.M.) in 1996. In 1996, he was admitted to the Bar of the United States Tax Court. In 1997, he was licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court. In 2000, he was admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio. 

James is a member of the American Bar Association (Section of Taxation), the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. He also serves as Of Counsel to the Chicago litigation firm of Holman & Stefanowicz, LLC. He resides in Chicago with his wife, Shari, and their daughter, Samantha, and son, David. Email Me.

After obtaining a BA in accounting from DePaul University, Shari went on to graduate from DePaul University College of Law in 1996 and became a member of the Illinois bar that same year. She later was also admitted to practice before the US Tax Court. In 2006, Shari became a licensed CPA in the State of Illinois. Combining her legal and accounting backgrounds, Shari has gained valuable experience in several high profile entities, including work with the Chicago Appeals Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Ernst & Young LLP, Chapman & Cutler, the National Bank of Canada, Commerzbank and Bearing Point. She serves as a consultant to Erwin & Associates, providing expertise on areas of complex accounting and other compliance matters faced by the firm’s corporate clients.

Shari is passionate in her support of animals and has served on the Women’s Board of Brookfield Zoo since 2006.

ASSOCIATES

William O. Chatt joined Erwin and Associates in 2007 and concentrates in condominium representation, business law, and litigation. William received his law degree from De Paul University and his undergraduate degree from Roosevelt University. William brings a unique perspective to his work from having owned his company in the industrial supply industry. He understands the issues and challenges business owners face and authors legal columns in two trade journals covering such concerns. William is a member of the Chicago and Illinois Bar Associations. William resides in Western Suburbs with his wife and two children. He enjoys playing tennis, guitar and skiing.  Email Me.

PARALEGALS