Stephanie E. Kopalski

Stephanie is a Member of the firm. Stephanie’s practice spans both business transactional matters and commercial litigation, with a particular focus on the nexus between the two. She is uniquely suited for resolving the complex issues faced by businesses and their owners – whether in the boardroom or the courtroom.

As a litigator, Stephanie represents clients in a wide range of commercial and business disputes, including breach of contract, shareholder and partner disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, business torts, employment disputes, and fraud, as well as estate and trust disputes. Stephanie has litigation experience before trial courts and appellate courts. She argued before the Illinois First District Appellate Court and the United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, and appeared before the Illinois Supreme Court. Stephanie gives the same attention to detail and dedication to her five-figure cases as she does to her seven-figure cases – each client receives her best.

On the transactional side, Stephanie has guided companies through every stage of the business life cycle, from formation and growth to exit via merger, acquisition, or dissolution. She has formed. A wide spectrum of entities, ranging from tech start-ups to complex multi-generational family businesses. Her work includes drafting operating agreements, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, employment and contractor agreements, master services agreements, NDAs, LOIs/MOUs, commercial leases, and asset or stock purchase documents. She has led transactions valued at six-figures and collaborated on deals exceeding $120 Million, with most of her work falling within the $1 Million to $20 Million range. Clients appreciate that she approaches each deal with the precision of someone who refuses to let anything be left to fate, knowing that in business you need to calm down and focus on the facts.

Stephanie began her journey at Lyons Law Group as a law clerk in 2015, while in her third year at DePaul Law. After passing the Illinois Bar in 2016, Stephanie joined the firm as an Associate Attorney and became a Member of Lyons Law Group in 2022.

Stephanie earned her B.A. in Spanish and History, Cum Laude, from DePaul University in 2013 and her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 2016, where she served as a legal research assistant to her constitutional law professor. Stephanie is fluent in Polish and conversational in Spanish (wishing she remembered more of her French).  Her language skills have proven valuable in both written and oral advocacy. If her work ethic is rooted in her experience as a naturalized citizen, her competitive edge and zealous advocacy are fueled by her lifelong love of sports.

Stephanie currently serves as the Second Vice President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association.

BAR ADMISSIONS
• State of Illinois, 2016
• Northern District of Illinois, 2016
• United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2020

EDUCATION
• DePaul University (B.A., Spanish and History, Cum Laude, 2013)
• DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 2016)

PERSONAL
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys caring for her puppy Belle (she’s a beauty and a beast!), traveling (her happy places include Paris and Breckenridge), snowboarding, running, cheering for her favorite teams (the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, and France’s National Soccer Team), reading, attending concerts and theater performances, and spending time with friends and family. Stephanie is an avid Swiftie who never misses a chance to enter a new era, happily gets lost in the enchanted moments of life, and believes that no matter what life brings, the best day is always still ahead.