_edite.png)
Andrew J. Mertzenich
Founding Attorney
Founder and managing attorney Andrew J. Mertzenich earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law, graduating in the top 10% of his class and serving as Managing Editor of the NIU Law Review. He also served on NIU’s Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Andrew’s primary focus is estate planning, with a special commitment to serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
​
Outside the courtroom, Andrew is an accomplished musician, serving as Director of Traditional Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Principal Organist at Court Street United Methodist Church in Rockford. He is also Assistant Director of ECHO and a regular performer at the Coronado Theatre, where he’s appeared with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
​
Andrew founded the Rockford Area Pride Committee in 2023, leading the city’s first official LGBTQ+ Pride Parade in 2024. In 2025, he was recognized by the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce as a 40 Under 40 honoree.
​
He splits his time between Rockford and Belvidere with his Husband, Cody.
Ezra Star
Legal Secretary
Ezra Star (he/they) is the heart of our front office, and we’re truly lucky to have them on our team. With warmth, patience, and a natural gift for making people feel at ease, Ezra helps create the calm, welcoming atmosphere our clients count on. They live in Rockford, Illinois, where they balance life at the firm with their passions outside the office—as a talented performer and the proud owner of a pet care business offering walking and sitting services. Whether on stage, on a walk, or at our front desk, Ezra brings creativity, compassion, and reliability to everything they do—and our firm is better for it.
Cody Skaggs
Legal Secretary
​Cody Skaggs (he/they) works behind the scenes in our back office, but their presence is felt throughout everything we do. Thoughtful, precise, and always ready with a sharp eye for detail, Cody helps keep our operations running smoothly and our files in order. When they’re not keeping our firm organized, Cody is a local artist with a passion for high fantasy ink work and illustration. If you’ve ever wanted to see your Dungeons & Dragons character come to life, Cody is your artist. We’re grateful every day to have their creativity, focus, and quiet brilliance as part of our team.
