Our Team

Leonard F. Amari, the firm founder, is a 1968 Juris Doctor (JD) recipient from The John Marshall Law School (JMLS), with honors, where he now serves as the president of its Board of Trustees. A practicing attorney for forty years, he is past president of the 37,000 member Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA, 1989-90). He served as General Counsel for the Office of the Cook County Assessor, Thomas C. Hynes from 1983 to 1987, when the firm was founded.

Joseph F. Locallo, Jr., a senior partner, received his JD (1976) and Masters of Laws, (in Taxation), from JMLS (1987). He served as Chief of Revenue Litigation, Northern Division, Office of the Illinois Attorney General (1987-1989), representing, among others, the Illinois Department of Revenue.

John G. Locallo, a partner, is both a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer and received his JD (1986) and Master of Laws (in Taxation) from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, having served as president of its Alumni Association Board. He, like Leonard and Joe, served as president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and was elected in June 2004 to serve on the Board of Governors of the ISBA.

Anthony M. Farace, a partner, worked as a law clerk with the firm while attending JMLS and from which he received his JD (1993). In addition to bringing a wealth of intellectual technology to his responsibilities, he is also responsible for the overall administration of the DuPage and Out-of-County practice.

Franco A. Coladipietro, a partner, also a clerk with the firm after attending JMLS, from which he received his JD (1993), supervises the firm’s out-of-county practice and works from the Bloomingdale office. In 2007 Franco was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 45th legislative district (DuPage County).

Katherine A. Amari, an associate, is a JD (2000) recipient from JMLS. She served with distinction in the real estate tax division of the office of the Cook County State’s Attorney for four years. Katherine is a member of the ISBA YLD and an elected Assembly delegate. In 2007 she was selected one of the top 40 Illinois attorneys under the age of 40.

Vesna Marusic, an associate, is a JD (2005) recipient from JMLS. A 2001 University of Chicago graduate, she serves the firm in the handling of real estate tax assessment matters both in court and at administrative levels. Vesna is a member of the American Bar Association, ISBA and Chicago Bar Association.

Daniel R. Lynch, an associate, is a JD (2006) recipient from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, and serves the firm in the handling of real estate tax assessment matters. Dan is a member of the American Bar Association, ISBA and Chicago Bar Association.

Joseph F. Locallo, III, an associate, is a JD (2009) recipient from JMLS and serves the firm in handling real estate tax assessment appeals. Joe is also responsible for the administration and maintenance of matters dealing with real estate tax incentives for the firm’s clients. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and was elected in 2010 to serve as a member of the General Assembly, the Association’s governing body.

Louis N. Dattomo and Kevin J. Madsen, serve as real estate tax analysts with extensive in-house training and supervision. Through specialized education and testing, they each are licensed by the State of Illinois as certified Associate Real Estate Appraisers.

Of Counsel: Victor J. Cacciatore, Michael V. Favia, Anthony J. Fornelli, Carl J. Frank, Phillip C. Goldstick, Bruno J. Tassone, Scott D. Verhey.

Because of their governmental assessing experiences, the Amaris maintain the status of “Certified Illinois Assessing Officers-II.”