Biography

• Equine and other Animal Law and Non-Profit Law

Tracy has a long history directing, managing, and representing non-profit animal welfare organizations and humane societies. She also has a long history advising and representing individuals in animal rights/welfare matters. Tracy’s Animal Law practice includes representing individuals in veterinary malpractice actions, at administrative hearings, and in appeals from Dangerous Dog Proceedings throughout Illinois; representing individuals in civil actions under the Humane Care for Animals Act; ownership disputes, Replevin actions, declaratory judgment actions, bailment or Innkeepers Act and Horse Shoer’s Lien Act actions, as well as lecturing at speaking engagements. She has represented Illinois as the Illinois delegate at the International Animal Law Summits 2015-18.

She serves as the Chairperson of the Chicago Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee and has taken an active role in drafting legislation to improve Illinois’ Humane Care For Animals Act.

A life-long horse owner, Tracy has represented the Bull Valley Riding Club and also represents clients in many equine law matters.

Tracy’s equine and animal law experience goes beyond representing their owners in court disputes. Tracy is also experienced in the unique needs of animal rescues. Tracy was the Executive Director of the national non-profit organization, Hooved Animal Humane Society (HAHS), from 2011 – 2021, and represents other animal welfare 501(c)(3) organizations, such as Wright Way Rescue, on all business, corporate, and non-profit matters.  As part of her role as Executive Director of HAHS, Tracy, an Approved  Humane and Equine Investigator herself, managed a team of over 25 Approved Humane Investigators, who investigated violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act, 510 ILCS 70/1, et seq.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors of On Angels Wings Pet Rescue and is outside counsel to several animal rescues.

She uses her vast experience in managing non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporations to advise her non-profit clients on all organizational issues and lectures nationally on non-profit law.

• Administrative Law and Local Government Law

Tracy has extensive knowledge of administrative law, on both sides of the gavel.

She is the Administrative Law Judge for the Village of McCullom Lake, presiding over various types of ordinance violation cases. 

Before becoming an Administrative Judge, she was a prosecutor for the Village of McCullom Lake.  She also assisted in the representation of many local governments including Algonquin Township, Dorr Township, McHenry Township, the Village of Big Rock, and the Village of Westmont. This representation included contract drafting and review, as well as Board Meeting attendance and advising on all corporate matters.

Tracy routinely represents individuals appealing adverse determinations for ordinance violations in Complaints for Administrative Review to circuit courts, as well as appellate courts in Illinois. 

• Appellate Law

She has extensive appellate experience with both civil and criminal appeals and has practiced in Illinois state and federal courts, including the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Illinois.

She is a former Assistant State Appellate Defender and is currently a panel attorney for the Office of the State Appellate Defender. 

• Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning

Tracy’s Real Estate practice includes representing buyers and sellers in residential and commercial real estate transactions. She drafts, reviews, and negotiates commercial contracts, including leases, for her corporate clients.

She handles agricultural law issues, as well as municipal issues for her land use and zoning clients.