Our Joliet Law Firm: Serving Will County and Beyond

Gary S. Mueller; his wife, Jean; their four children; and two dogs currently live in New Lenox where they have lived for over ninteen years.  Gary received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1986.  He graduated from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1989.  Upon graduation, Gary was fortunate enough to accept a judicial clerkship with Justice Daniel P. Ward of the Illinois Supreme Court from early 1989 until the Justice retired in December 1990.

In 1990, Gary accepted an Associate position with the McKeown Law Firm in Joliet, the firm of former Congressman George Sangmeister, current State Senator A. J. Wilhelmi, and current Associate Judge Thomas Carney, among other community leaders.  After three years, Gary was invited to become a partner.  In 2000, Gary was asked to manage the Joliet Office of the Chicago law firm, Pretzel & Stouffer.  After five years, Gary opened his own office, Gary S. Mueller & Associates, Ltd.  In 2006, while still retaining his Joliet office, Gary joined Gordon A. Cochrane to establish the Law Offices of Cochrane & Mueller, LLP.  During his work as an attorney, Gary has worked as a trial attorney (in the courtroom) and as a transactional attorney (outside the courtroom).

Gary S. Mueller has worked hard within his community as well.  From 1991 through 2002, Gary served as an adjunct professor at Joliet Junior College teaching Criminal Law and Business Law.  In 1995, Gary was selected to serve on the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law Alumni Board of Governors.  In 2000, Gary was elected president of the Alumni Board.

In 1997, Gary ran for and was elected Trustee in the Village of New Lenox.  While a Trustee, Gary was appointed Chairperson of the Open Space, Land Use and Development, and Public Improvements Committees.  During his tenure, the Village welcomed Lake Michigan water to the community which served as a catalyst to the Village’s current and further growth.  Additionally, the dream of the Village Commons was created and started during Gary’s work for the Village.

In 1999, Gary was selected to serve as a Steward on the Gertrude P. Zalar Alzheimer’s Foundation.  Gary served as president of the Board from 2000-2001.

 In 2000, St. Jude Catholic Church Building Committee needed a chairman to direct and coordinate the construction of a new Catholic Church in New Lenox.  Gary accepted the call.  The new worship space, a $5.6 million project, opened on schedule and within budget on April 13, 2003.

 From 1999 through 2008, Gary has served as a Director, Officer, President, and Immediate Past President of the Will County Bar Association.  While President, the Association upgraded its computer services, relocated the Association office, implemented continuing legal education seminars for members, and increased membership from four hundred members to slightly short of one thousand members.

In 2004, Gary became one of the founding, Charter Counselors of the Knights of Columbus, Columbian Squires, now called the Mark J. Andrews Columbian Squires.  The Squires are a community service organization targeted to young men from 10-18 years of age.  The group currently boasts the highest membership total of any Squires organization in the country.  Gary is currently a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Gary is also a co-author of portions of the 2003 and subsequent IICLE on Real Estate and has given numerous seminars and lectures on real estate related matters including the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Residential Contract, the 4.0 Multi-Board Residential Contract, Anti-Trust Concerns in Real Estate, Short Sales, Foreclosures, Property Disclosures, and various Inspections from Radon to well and septic through general home inspection.