Our Attorneys and Staff
It is the philosophy of the firm that clients are entitled to the best representation possible. It is therefore, the goal of the firm to aggressively advocate on behalf of our client. However, it is also the policy of the firm to advise as to both the best manner to achieve those goals, and to evaluate the reasonableness of those goals.
Elizabeth A. Pfiffner
Attorney at Law
Elizabeth A. Pfiffner graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2008, and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2011 and received the Distinguished Student Law Award for her dedication and service to the school. Elizabeth’s interest in the practice of law was spurred from reading To Kill a Mockingbird.
Elizabeth has been a licensed attorney since 2011. As a lifelong resident of Marengo, she devotes her practice to helping people in her home town. Elizabeth has a keen eye for detail, and her strong writing skills are an asset in drafting documents and research. Her areas of practice are traffic, litigation, estate planning, tax matters, family law, real estate transactions, business law, and foreclosures.
Elizabeth is on the Board of Directors of the Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce.
In her time away from the office Elizabeth is an avid horsewoman. Having started competing at a young age, she now competes on international and national levels and enjoys all aspects of equine related activities.
Karen L. Smith
Paralegal/Office Manager
With over 30 years in the legal field, Karen competently serves as the firm’s paralegal, and office manager. Karen is responsible for the day to day operations of the firm, including accounting, employee benefits, and the administration staff. She has strong background in computers, and therefore, handles the firm’s technology.
Karen serves as a real estate paralegal in residential and commercial transactions. She interfaces with lenders, buyers, sellers, and attorneys as she gathers all the information and documentation necessary to ease our clients towards smooth sale or purchase of real estate. She is proficient in the preparation of title insurance commitments, settlement statements, title insurance policies and closing documents, and is the firm’s member closer for Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund. She has vast knowledge of all aspects of real estate transactions, and can be contacted regarding any real estate related matter.
Karen also assists in document disclosure, assists with projects and trial preparation, and competently handles the day to day operations of the firm. Her background in writing has honed her proofreading and writing skills, and has strengthened the analytical thinking necessary in the legal world. She has a sharp eye for detail and will tackle any challenge.
In her spare time, Karen is an avid runner, having completed several half-marathons and marathons. She volunteers as a hippotherapy horse leader and exercise rider, enjoys gardening, spending time with family, and traveling with her husband.
Kristi Honert
Receptionist/Legal Assistant
Kristi Honert is the firm’s receptionist and legal assistant. She is responsible for assisting our attorneys and paralegal in all aspects of office work, including typing correspondence and documents, handling the phone system, filing court documents, setting appointments and other client contact. She is the first point of contact for our clients, and always conducts herself in a professional and competent manner. She has proven to be a valuable member of our team.
In her spare time, Kristi enjoys spending time with family and friends.