Regina Rathnau
Estate & Tax Expertise. A Youthful, Energetic Practice—and a Striking Rarity

“Everyone gets organized at some time. We make sure it happens while you’re still around.”

A keen legal mind and dedication have always been fortes of owner, Regina Rathnau of Rathnau Law. The slight sense of humor in the quote above also captures the lighter side of an attorney and CPA who is serious about her business, but still brings warmth and humanity to her practice.

Several other distinctions define Rathnau Law: First, the fact that Reginaoffers estate planning expertise combined with a CPA degree and tax planning expertise, which is critically important when it comes to avoiding probate and minimizing estate taxes. Next, there’s a palpable difference in her youthful, optimistic, confident demeanor, which clientsfind refreshing. She cares deeply, gets involved personally and strives to be helpful, especially during challenging estate resolution matters.  What else is different and as rare as a lawyer you actually like? Regina does house calls.  This singular practice may be close to a one and only. She also maintains her main office in Chicago’s Loop and a satellite office in Orland Park.

Achievements for the Legal Record

Regina offers a strong background in law and estateplanning with more than fiveyears as a mover and shaper of her own practice.  Her legal expertise–for large and small clients in Chicago and the Midwest—extends to drafting estate plans, preparing income tax returns for estates, trusts, corporations, partnerships and individuals, and administering decedent estates. She has also very at home performing residential real estate closings, including short sales, and is able to work on legal matters for condominium associations.

She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Regina earned her law degree at Loyola University Chicago - School of Law with a certificate in taxation. She is a member of the Advocates Society, the Chicago Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association.

On the numbers-crunching side, Regina brings tenyears of tax experience gained at two of the “Big Four” public accounting firms(KPMG LLP and Deloitte Tax LLP). This public accounting experience has provided her with an in-depth knowledge of tax accounting methods, corporate taxation, tax compliance, as well as IRS defense work. Regina is a licensed certified public accountant in Illinois and earned her accountancy degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Personal Perspective

“I have a passion for Estate Law; helping people strategize and plan for the future so they don’t have to be concerned or worry about this vitally important part of life planning. I also believe that there’s no price on the value of your integrity and loving guidance. The worth of your hard work, however—the wealth that you’ve accumulated over decades of responsible living, does have measurable value that can and should be passed on—as you wish, to whom you wish, with minimal tax or other deductions.“

Regina’s Commitment to Giving Back

Regina thoroughly enjoys giving back. She served as the 2012-2013 President of the Advocates Society, the bar association of Polish-American attorneys, and volunteering during tax season with the volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program in Chicago to help low income people obtain maximized tax refunds. Regina has also volunteered through the Chicago Bar Association for the "Wills for Heroes" Project, which prepares wills for Chicago's police and fire department officers. She looks forward to even greater contributions to charitable, civic and professional organizations.

Publications that Have Not Perished

Regina is proud of her legal publications, which make for a riveting summer read or lively cocktail conversation. Publications include: "College Prep: What Every Consumer Should Know About Education Expenses and the Economic Growth & Tax Relief Act of 2001" in December 2001, Loyola Consumer Law Review "Overview of Section 199 & Notice 2005-14" in June 2005, Tax Adviser (co-authored with Paul Gibbs, CPA) "UNICAP Errors, Omissions and Opportunities: TAM 200607021" in June 2006, Tax Adviser. (co-authored with Paul Gibbs, CPA)