Our Team
Michelle Dressel
Karen E. Tietz, Attorney
In 1983, Karen graduated cum laude from IIT/Chicago Kent College of Law. In 1979, Karen graduated cum laude from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Political Science & Business Administration.
Karen has been an attorney since 1983. She started her private practice in 2003. Before that Karen focused on business law as an officer in a corporation where she negotiated Fortune 500 contracts (leasing, franchising, and sales agreements).
Prior to her time in business law, Karen managed a large staff of attorneys for a governmental entity where she was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and the Illinois Supreme Court.
Karen has a strong background in contract negotiation and settlement. She also advises businesses of all sizes in sales and marketing strategies, accounts receivable, and other corporate business issues. Karen is a pioneer in the short sale practice area. Her writing and negotiation skills have earned her accolades from many short sale departments at major banking institutions.
Karen has been a frequent lecturer, sharing her expertise and insights of real estate matters with the Main Street Board of Realtors, McHenry County Board of Realtors, Oak Park Board of Realtors, Northwest Board of Realtors, Barrington Board of Realtors, the Southwest Board of Realtors and the Illinois State Bar Association. Karen is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, a member of the ISBA Real Estate Law Section and is an active member of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.
Alex J. Tietz, Attorney- alex@tietzlawfirm.com
Alex is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and the State of Missouri. Alex specializes in short sales transactions, residential and commercial real estate transactions, REO contracts, new construction contracts, collections, business law and Lower Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) representation.
Alex graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in May 2012. Alex was a Dean’s List student while clerking for the Womick Law Firm, the Southern Illinois Legal Clinic, Madison County State’s Attorney and the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois. He was also Chief Justice of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Alex received the CALI Award during his 3L year for receiving the highest grade in Legal Negotiations.
Alex graduated Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University. He received a Bachelor of Political Science Pre-Law while minoring in Psychology with a significant concentration in English. Alex also played football at Southern for ’05-'08 where he received the Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award, was a Three-Time Honor Roll Gateway Football award recipient, and was on Dean’s List throughout his tenure.
Alex met his wife Attorney Jacie Tietz on their first day of law school in '09. Their team mentality has carried through from law school and continues to contribute to the Firm's success. When he's not in the office Alex enjoys spending time with their son Kane, playing basketball, golf, supporting Chicago sports and playing with his Labradors Gage and Kojak.
Jacie K. Hartle-Tietz, Attorney - jacie@tietzlawfirm.com
Jacie Tietz is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and the State of Missouri. Jacie graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in May 2012 near the top of her class. Jacie was the Lead Articles Editor of the Southern Illinois University Law Journal during her 3L year and wrote for the Journal during her 2L year.
During law school, Jacie worked at the Southern Illinois University Civil Practice (Elder Law) Clinic, which provides free legal services to the community. Jacie received the Howard J. Eisenberg Client Service Award, which is awarded to one student each year for outstanding work at the legal clinic. Jacie also received the CALI Award for the first year capstone Writing Course, awarded to 3 students, for her outstanding writing and analytical skills. Jacie served as the Vice President of the Christian Law Student Association and as a Student Representative to the Illinois State Bar Association. She was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Jacie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Business Administration at Missouri State University in May 2009. She received a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management and a minor in Legal Studies.
Jacie met her husband Attorney Alex Tietz on the first day of law school after they were both assigned to the same study group. They and their dogs Gage and Kojak have been happily together ever since. In August 2017, Jacie and Alex welcomed their first child Kane.
Patti Barsanti
patti@tietzlawfirm.com
Real Estate Purchases and Sales
Patti handles all of the purchase and regular sale contracts. She works closely with clients to ensure contract compliance with contingency dates and deadlines. She keeps communication between clients, opposing attorneys and agents throughout the contract process to ensure a successful closing for both buyers and sellers.
Paula Swanson
paula@tietzlawfirm.com
Short Sale Closing
Paula leads the closing department, which is responsible for getting the file closed once the short sale is approved. This department ensures that the buyer’s lender starts moving forward with their loan quickly while working diligently to clear all title issues with attorneys as needed. Paula is responsible for determining how to get all of the costs associated with the sale paid, including costs that were not allowed by the short sale lenders, but are required for closing. Ensuring that the sellers move out of their property in time for closing and that they pre-sign all of the final closing documents is another big responsibility of the department. Finally, once the buyer has their final loan commitment, the closing is scheduled and the short sale completed.
Sue Jurczak
Negotiations
Michelle and Sue contact the short sale lenders on their active files at least once a week. It is important for them to stay on top of the processors and negotiators at the short sale lenders to make sure that none of our files are delayed. They help facilitate BPOs, Coordinate counter offers from the bank offers, continue to get updated seller documents and request postponement of foreclosure sale dates as needed. Finally, once the short sale gets approved, the file is moved to Closing.
Tammie Jarka
Lawstaff@tietzlawfirm.com
New File Preparation and Document Collection
Tammie and Cathy work closely with new short sale clients to prepare their documentation to be sent to their respective lenders. They help the sellers understand the process and complete all of the various authorizations, financial and hardship forms. Once everything is completed and collected, they are responsible for sending the short sale packet to the lenders to begin the process. After the initial document collection is completed, the file is moved to Negotiations.
Linda Eilken
linda@tietzlawfirm.com
Deed in Lieu
Linda works with sellers who struggle with a loan modification or a short sale. Often these properties that are not in good enough condition to attract a buyer. Unless the bank agrees to take back the property through a deed in lieu, the property will foreclose. To avoid a foreclosure, Linda submits the deed in lieu paperwork completed by the seller and stays up to date with the bank weekly to make sure that the necessary steps are completed to accomplish the deed in lieu.
Lincoln Tietz
Lincoln is our mascot and stress reliever, for both the staff and our clients. His favorite part of the workday is lunch.