Staff

Brian N. Rubin

In practice since 1976 . . . Brian, after serving 14 years as the Partner in Charge of The Estate Planning and Estate Administration Department of a 50+ attorney law firm, founded Rubin Law, a professional corporation, with its practice limited to serving his fellow families of children & adults with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental illness.

Brian is President of the The Arc of Illinois.

Brian served as Chairman of the State of Illinois Department of Human Services Statewide Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities, by appointment of the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Brian serves by appointment of the Governor as a Member of the State of Illinois Department of Human Services' Quality Care Board. The Quality Care Board monitors and oversees operations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Human Services’ Inspector General to assure prompt and thorough investigations of neglect and abuse allegations.

Brian serves as Co-Chairman of the State of Illinois Department of Human Services Task Force on Autism, by appointment of the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Brian serves on the State of Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Strategic Planning Team, by appointment of the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Brian serves on the State of Illinois Disabilities Services Advisory Committee (The State of Illinois “Olmstead” Committee), by appointment of the Governor of Illinois (First by Governor Ryan, and then by Governor Blagoyevich.

Brian also serves and has served on other State of Illinois Department of Human Services Task Forces and Committees.

Brian serves on the Board of Directors of Clearbrook, an agency that serves more than 3,000 children and adults with disabilities (He has served on the Clearbrook Board since 1989).

Brian serves on the Board of Directors of PACT, Inc., the PAS/ISC Agent for DuPage County, which also is available to serve as Trustee of Special Needs Trusts, and as Guardians of adults with special needs.

Brian serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of SLSF (Special Leisure Services Foundation) which supports NWSRA (Northwest Special Recreation Association).

Over the years, Brian has served on various Parent and Parent/Teacher Boards, Councils and Committees in and for the Special Education District of Lake County, Illinois (SEDOL), and served as the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the SEDOL Foundation.

Brian has served as an officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of KESHET (Jewish Parents of Children with Special Needs).

Brian has served on the Board of Directors of the Northpointe Achievement Center (formerly known as the Lake County Society For Human Development).

Brian has also served as General Counsel for Countryside Association.

Brian is a former IRS Agent and a former IRS Estate Tax Attorney.

Brian served by appointment on the American Bar Association's Sub-Committee on "Special Needs Trusts and Other Protective Vehicles".

Brian has served by appointment of the President of the Illinois State Bar Association on that Association's "Section Council" on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law. Brian also has served, by appointment, on that Association's "Standing Committee" on the Mentally Disabled.

Brian has been admitted as a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Brian served on the Illinois Chapter of NAELA Board of Directors.

Brian is on the Faculty of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), specifically on the topic of Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts, and also is a contributing author for the IICLE Special Needs Trusts Practice Handbook.

Brian has served on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, as Chairman of that Association's Estate Planning Probate and Tax Law Committee, as Co-Chairman of that Association's Continuing Legal Education Committee, and was the co-founder and served as Chairman of that Association's Committee on Planning for Individuals with Disabilities and the Elderly.

Brian served three, four year terms, twelve years, as an elected Village Trustee in Buffalo Grove, Illinois (population 45,000) and was the founder of and served as Chairman of the Buffalo Grove Commission for Residents with Disabilities.

Brian is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove and has also served as an Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6440.

Brian sincerely feels that Mitchell has allowed him, his wife, Linda, as well as “big sister/assistant mom” Nicole and “little/big brother” Benjamin, to better appreciate what is truly important in life... and what is... maybe... not so important.

Brian feels the tremendous responsibility of not only being the parent of a child with special needs, but also as an attorney with the knowledge and ability to assist others in special needs future planning... needed to secure the future of children and adults with special needs.

While Brian wishes for Mitchell to have a long, healthy and enjoyable life, he often admits that he prays that he lives at least one moment longer than Mitchell... for that ultimately is the “Parent’s Prayer”... the desire not to ask anyone else to, or to have anyone else have to “take over” the enormous responsibility of caring for their child with special needs... as only a fellow parent could understand.

Brian is a frequent author and lecturer on the topic of appropriate future planning for families of individuals with special needs, and has been interviewed on television and radio, and has been often quoted in newspapers (including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times), books and magazines.

Benjamin A. Rubin

Brian's son Benjamin, joined the practice in 2010 . . . Graduated from the University of Illinois Law School Magna Cum Laude.  Benjamin's undergraduate degree was from Northwestern University in Economics.  Benjamin, having a sibling who suffers from autism, brings an important perspective into the practice.

Benjamin serves on the Board of Directors of S.I.B.S. (Supporting Illinois Brothers & Sisters).  S.I.B.S. is a group that supports brothers and sisters of all ages in Illinois that have a sibling with special needs. This includes, but is not limited to developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues.

Judith L. Smith

Judie has been licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois since 1985. She has been associated with Brian Rubin since 1996. Judie has handled countless guardianship matters for clients in Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage and Kane Counties with an emphasis on guardianship of adult disabled persons. Her courtroom experience includes preparation and court approval of Medicaid "Pay Back" Trusts (also referred to as "Obra '93 Trusts" and/or "d4A Trusts", preparation and court approval of trust and estate budgets, as well as preparation and approval of trust and estate annual accountings and annual reports. Additionally, Judie has an extensive background in the drafting of estate plan documents for families with special needs.

Other Attorneys & Legal Assistants

Rubin Law, a professional corporation, maintains relationships with other attorneys in order to serve all legal needs of its clients. The firm's staff also includes legal assistants.

Karen Muschkat

Karen has been a Legal Assistant for the firm since 2007.  Karen has extensive experience in the areas of Estate Planning & Estate Administration.

Nicole Rosenthal

Brian’s daughter Nicole has been the firm’s Office Manager since 2001.  Nicole’s undergraduate degree is in Nursing & is a Registered Nurse (RN/BSN).  Nicole, who has a brother who suffers from autism, brings an unparalleled understanding of the day-to-day obstacles & successes fellow families of individuals with special needs endure.

Linda Rubin

Brian’s wife Linda has been a Legal Assistant for the firm since 2001.  Linda, who has a son who suffers from autism, offers an experienced point of view as someone who has lived through all the trials & tribulations that fellow families of individuals with special needs weather.