MCSWAIN NAGLE GIESE & RAPP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Member of the Fox Valley Community
Brittany comes to the McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp team as an experienced associate attorney. Brittany started her legal career in the family law courts before transitioning to a firm concentrating in residential real estate transactions. Now that she has transitioned her practice back to family law, Brittany realizes that divorce is essentially a transaction, which just like real estate, can be very complex and emotionally taxing. Through her work, Brittany has learned how to listen to her clients to ensure they are well-informed and comfortable as she guides them through one of the hardest "transactions" of their lives. Brittany strives to make sure her clients are heard and that they feel they have a voice as she zealously advocates for their best interests.
Brittany earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University, where she studied Communications. Brittany's undergraduate studies have given her the necessary skills to build rapport with her clients and to be an effective advocate for their positions in the courtroom. After graduation, Brittany continued her career as a Huskie where she received her Jurisprudence Doctorate from the Northern Illinois University College of Law. During her law school career, Brittany was a member of the Public Interest Law Society and the Democratic Law Students Association. She also had the unique opportunity to participate in the study abroad program at the University of Bordeaux where she studied the European Civil Law System.
Brittany's practice now primarily consists of complex family and matrimonial law issues, including divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, decision-making, child and spousal support, property division, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreement. Although her primary focus is family law matters, Brittany continues to assist her clients from contract to close in complex residential real estate transactions.
When she is not advocating for her clients, Brittany is an active member of the Fox Valley Community and loves to spend her free time engaged in outdoor activities. Brittany also loves animals and enjoys spending time with her cat.
Practice Areas
Real Estate
Dawn is a seasoned paralegal with over 20 years of experience. She has experience and extensive knowledge in family law, estate planning, civil litigation and personal injury. Dawn graduated from an advanced paralegal program at the San Joaquin College of Law in California in 2000 and has worked with seasoned attorneys throughout her career. Prior to joining McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C., Dawn worked with the appointed Judge Bradley David of David & Associates for over ten years. David & Associates provided her with the skills to enhance her career, while providing clients with the strength and emotional support needed throughout their transition. When not in the office, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering whether it be at/with her church or as the treasurer for the school PTO.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at McSwain
Emily Rapp is a partner at McSwain, Nagle, Giese & Rapp PC. Emily practices in Kane, DuPage and Kendall counties and additionally practices at the appellate court level.
Emily is a past President of the Kane County Bar Association, and Chair of the Family Law Section for DuPage County Bar Association, Chair of the Solo, Small Firm and Technology Committee for the Kane County Bar Association and member of the Family Law Committee and the Women & the Law committee for the Illinois State Bar Association. She has presented at Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association and Kane County Bar Association seminars speaking on topics relating to family law. In addition to her speaking engagements, Emily has authored legal articles including a chapter on the Parentage Act for Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Since 2022, Emily has been selected by her peers as a "Super Lawyer." In 2016, she was selected as an "Emerging Lawyer" by Leading Lawyers, a program that recognizes lawyers identified by their peers to be among the top lawyers who are age 40 or younger.
Practice Areas
Family Law
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Member of the DuPage County Bar Association
Hannah concentrates her practice in the areas of divorce, post-decree, child custody and probate matters. While attending law school, Hannah spent two years working for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. During this time, Hannah drafted numerous appellate briefs that were filed with the First District Appellate Court of Illinois, and tried over twenty bench trials within the Felony Trial Division under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711. Understanding the emotional strain and the uncertainty of many of her client's situations, Hannah values her clients' well-being and works efficiently to settle conflicts outside of court, as well as resolving these conflicts through litigation. Every day, Hannah's main priority is to achieve successful outcomes for her clients.
Hannah is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School. As a student, Hannah was a member of the John Marshall Moot Court Competition team, finishing as an Octofinalist in the National Child Welfare and Adoption Moot Court Competition, and served as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Skills II. After graduating from law school, Hannah has served as the coach for law students participating in the National Child Welfare and Adoption Moot Court Competition.
Hannah is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.
Jane E. Nagle is a founding partner of McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C., and she concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of divorce and family law in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall, Lake and surrounding collar counties. Over the years, Jane has handled numerous pre-decree and post-decree divorce cases as well as paternity, child support enforcement, and contested cases involving the allocation of parental decision-making and parenting time. Jane is also experienced in handling Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases as well as negotiating various types of unsecured debts, obtaining excellent settlements for her clients facing financial hardship.
Through her years of experience, Jane has developed the ability to determine the most effective strategy to help her individual clients reach their goals and desired outcomes in their cases. She understands that some cases require an aggressive litigation strategy, while others benefit from and are quickly resolved with skillful negotiation and settlement discussions. Jane is compassionate toward her clients as she helps them navigate through the litigation process.
Jane has been named an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for six consecutive years, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys under forty years old in Illinois. Jane currently serves as the Vice-Chair on the Standing Committee on the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board and Chair of the DuPage County Bar Association Family Law Section, previously holding the position of Vice Chair. Jane is also a trained Guardian ad Litem with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court where she investigates and provides reports to judges on issues related to the best interests of the children involved in highly contested divorce or parentage cases.
Jane received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law and graduated from Indiana University - Bloomington with her Bachelor of Arts in both International Studies and Spanish with a minor in Italian. During law school, Jane worked as an extern for the Honorable Judge Michael Panter in both the Domestic Relations and Law Divisions. Jane was a member of and associate editor for the DePaul Law Review in which she had an article published in 2012.
Practice Areas
Divorce
Kevin McSwain graduated from Northern Illinois University Law School in December 2016 and was licensed to practice law in November, 2017. As a licensed attorney he continued working for Mary E. McSwain, applying past experience to serve clients with family law and residential real estate needs. He has been an employee of Mary E. McSwain for more than 10 years. This experience, knowledge, and education allows Kevin to provide sound legal advice and diligent guidance to his clients in difficult and challenge family situations. Kevin also uses his experience, skill, and education to assist his clients from contract to close in residential real estate transactions.
During law school Kevin participated in the Internal Moot Court competition as well as the Internal Mock Trial competition. Kevin was awarded "Best Brief" for his work in the Northern Illinois University Law School Internal Moot Court Competition. Kevin was also a semi-finalist in the Internal Moot Court Competition. Kevin attributes his legal writing and litigation skills to his Professor's from Northern Illinois University, and relies on his writing and litigation skills on a daily basis. Kevin also spent the 2016 summer semester at the University of Oregon School of Law, wherein he participated in the Summer Sports Law Institute working with many top sports law litigators, sport agents, top law professors from across the Country, as well as representatives from companies such as Nike and Adidas.
Kevin currently serves in the role as Vice Chair for the New Lawyer Section of the DuPage County Bar Association. Kevin strives to continue providing opportunities for new lawyers to engage and learn as active members of the DuPage County Bar Association. Kevin takes great pride in his work as an attorney both serving his clients, and members of the DuPage County Bar Association. Kevin is also the sitting President of the Wheaton Young Attorney's Club.
Practice Areas
Family Law
Job Titles:
- LLC 2020 to 2022, Partner
Attorney Tyler Neher joined the McSwain, Nagle, Giese & Rapp team as an associate attorney after spending time working as an associate at a family law firm in DuPage County where he focused his practice on family law matters including divorce, allocation or parental responsibilities, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. Prior to making his return to the family courts, Tyler was an Assistant State's Attorney with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office in their domestic violence unit. Through his work at the State's Attorney's Office, Tyler had the unique opportunity to gain significant trial experience early in his legal career. Tyler is an aggressive and skilled litigator, who uses his knowledge and skills to pursue the best interest of his client.
Tyler received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University where he studied Sociology and Forensic Science. These areas of study have provided Tyler with the skills necessary to guide his client's through the complex legal system while remaining empathic to the emotional impact of family law cases. Tyler maintains a balanced approach to his representation in order to ensure he is a zealous advocate for his client's while taking great care and pride in ensuring that his client's feel their voices are heard.
After Graduating from Purdue University, Tyler received his legal education from Northern Illinois University College of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Jurisprudence Doctorate. While at Northern, Tyler was on the executive board for the Public Interest Law Society and a member of the Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity.
In his free time, Tyler enjoys woodworking, hiking, fishing, and spending time with his wife, son, and rescue dog, Belle.
Practice Areas
Family Law