Madeline Van Schelven - Chicago, IL
Attorney at The Sotos Law Firm, P.C.
Municipal Defense Lawyers in Chicago, IL
141 W. Jackson Blvd. #1240A Chicago, IL 60604
Chicago Municipal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 03/26/2026
Areas of Practice
- Municipal Defense
- Civil Rights Defense
- Government Representation
- Misc. Litigation
Attorney Information
Overview
Madeline joined The Sotos Law Firm in 2025 and represents government agencies and officials in both state and federal court. Her practice focuses on local government defense and civil rights litigation.
Madeline earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she participated in moot court, served as a legal writing tutor for first-year students, and held leadership and mentorship roles in the Women's Law Society and the Business Law Clinic. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and History from the University of Michigan.
Before joining the firm, Madeline worked as a law clerk at several Chicago-area firms and served as a judicial extern in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Through these experiences, she gained valuable insight into the litigation process, legal research and writing, and effective client advocacy.
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Loyola University Chicago School of Law,
Chicago,
Illinois, 2025
J.D.
Honors: Dean’s List
-
Loyola University Chicago School of Law,
Chicago,
Illinois, 2025
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 2022
B.A.
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: With High Honors
Major: Sociology and History
-
University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 2022
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Associate
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2025
Contact
141 W. Jackson Blvd. #1240A
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 630-735-3322
Fax: 630-773-0980
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.jsotoslaw.com
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.