Lorraine Cavataio, Shareholder, Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C., O’Fallon

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
    With an impressive portfolio of published works, and an expansive list of speaking engagements, Lorraine Cavataio has accumulated almost two decades practicing law. She joined the firm Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C. in 2012 as a shareholder, also serving as co-chair of its Women’s Committee.  She started the St. Clair County Women’s Forum to support women/diversity in the workplace.
    Focused in business law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, litigation and real estate, Cavataio is licensed to practice in Illinois, Missouri, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and the United States Tax Court. She serves as a leader in many professional organizations and was selected for Leadership Illinois.
    Her experience in estate planning has garnered her great respect as an informational lecturer and author in the field. She has penned chapters for the Illinois Institute of Continued Legal Education and serves as their immediate past chair. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
    A board member for the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, she also serves as Board Secretary of the St. Clair Country Club and as a board member for Blessed Sacrament School and Friends of St. Elizabeth. She was recently appointed to serve on the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois board. Past community involvement has been with several organizations, including the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
    Cavataio completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting and business administration in 1991. She received her juris doctorate from Washington University in 1995.
    To clients, she advises them to always feel comfortable talking with your attorney. To new professionals, Cavataio says, “Help your clients be able to sleep at night.” She also offers this piece of advice to everyone, “If you have a passion, do it. Love what you do, or don’t do it.”
    Born and raised in Belleville’s west end, she and her husband live in Swansea. They have two daughters and enjoy family golf scrambles whenever they can. The family also enjoys travel and live theater.