Experienced Lake County Illinois Attorneys

Dan Zeit

Dan Zeit received his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Upon being admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1989, Dan began his legal career gaining experience with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office as an intern. During this time, he assisted in the preparation of criminal cases and gained early exposure to courtroom procedure and trial work. He also worked as a law clerk for several firms in downtown Chicago, where he developed a strong foundation in litigation, motion practice, and case preparation.

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With 36 years of experience in criminal law, Dan has focused his career on criminal defense and trial practice. Over the course of his career, he has handled a wide range of cases involving mental health issues, addiction-related offenses, and serious felony charges. His work has included representing individuals charged with drug offenses, violent crimes, and other complex criminal matters. Dan’s experience has given him a practical understanding of how cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted, as well as the strategies necessary to effectively defend his clients. His background in criminal law has earned him a reputation as a knowledgeable and effective trial attorney.

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Throughout his career, Dan has represented clients in Lake, Cook, and McHenry Counties, as well as in federal court. His practice includes handling misdemeanor and felony matters, DUI and traffic offenses, and cases involving probation violations and other post-conviction issues. Dan frequently works with individuals facing challenging economic circumstances and understands the importance of providing clear, realistic guidance to clients navigating difficult legal situations. He takes a direct and straightforward approach, ensuring his clients are informed throughout the process.

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Dan has extensive trial experience and has handled numerous contested hearings and jury trials. He has negotiated favorable resolutions in a wide variety of cases and has taken matters to trial when necessary to protect his clients’ rights. His trial work includes serious felony matters, including a recent Class X felony trial resulting in a favorable outcome. His experience in both negotiation and trial settings allows him to evaluate each case and pursue the most appropriate course of action for his clients. ​Dan is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Lake County Bar Association.

Laura Horner

Laura D. Horner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University
(Chicago) School of Law. Upon passing the Illinois State Bar Exam in July 1992, Laura began her career in law as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Edgar and Clark Counties in Illinois. As the only assistant she handled traffic, misdemeanor and child support cases, assisted in obtaining criminal warrants for felony suspects and assisted in murder cases.

After four years with the Edgar County and Clark County State’s Attorney’s Offices she moved to Lake County, Illinois where she worked as a prosecutor for the next ten years. The highlight in Laura’s career as an Assistant State’s Attorney with Lake County, Illinois include becoming a lead prosecutor focusing on and trying child sex crimes and violent offenses. Noteworthy cases she prosecuted include prosecutions of defendants for double first degree murder, kidnapping and embezzlement. As a felony assistant, Laura tried one of the first cases involving on-line solicitation of a minor for sex (indecent solicitation). Laura’s experience earned her a well-deserved deserved reputation as a skilled felony trial prosecutor.

After leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office Laura hung her own shingle briefly prior to becoming an associate attorney with Noonan, Perillo, Polenzani & Marks in
Waukegan, Illinois where she focused in family law. At that time she was appointed by the Lake County, Illinois Judges as a conflict attorney for juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect cases. Laura continued as a conflict attorney in juvenile court for the next ten years at which time she stepped down from her appointment to focus more on her family law practice. Laura is currently a partner with the law firm of Fox, Lunardi, Zeit & Polenzani with a practice focusing in family and juvenile law. In 2022 the Lake County, Illinois Juvenile Court Judges requested Laura return to handle overflow conflict cases and she is still actively involved with the juvenile court in this capacity.

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Laura is a member of the Lake County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Jefferson Inn of Court of Lake County, Illinois. Laura is a former member and board member of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County. Laura is also currently a Teen Court judge.

Joseph Polenzani

Joseph Polenzani earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. While attending Illinois State University, Joe worked as a law clerk for a civil law firm in Bloomington, Illinois, gaining early exposure to the legal profession. Upon being admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1987, Joe began his legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Lake County, Illinois.

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During his six years with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Joe handled a wide range of criminal matters, including traffic offenses, misdemeanor prosecutions, juvenile cases, drug offenses, violent crimes, and sex offenses. He served as a Senior Assistant State's Attorney prior to leaving the office in 1993. His experience as a prosecutor provided him with extensive courtroom and trial experience and a practical understanding of how criminal cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted. Joe's experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney has earned him a reputation as a skilled trial advocate.

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After leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office, Joe joined the law firm of Sullivan, Smith, Hauser & Noonan as an associate attorney. His practice expanded to include criminal and civil litigation, personal injury, and workers’ compensation matters. He later became a partner with Noonan, Perillo & Polenzani, where he continued to represent clients in a wide variety of legal matters for nearly two decades. In 2013, Joe became a partner with Fox, Lunardi, Zeit & Polenzani, where he continues to practice today.

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Joe’s current practice focuses primarily on criminal defense, including traffic and DUI offenses, misdemeanor and felony matters, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex offenses, traffic violations, ordinance violations, expungements, and record sealing matters. Throughout his career, Joe has represented individuals facing some of the most challenging circumstances of their lives and is committed to providing clients with straightforward advice, practical guidance, and strong courtroom advocacy.

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Joe has also been actively involved in Lake County throughout his career, and is a member of the Lake County Bar Association, and Illinois State Bar Association. He has served with Teen Court for more than twenty years and is a former School Board member and School Board President.