Monica J. Gurgiolo is an accomplished attorney and CPA with more than two decades of estate planning, trusts, and taxation experience. Monica’s knowledge of tax and planning techniques using Wills, Trusts, and Advance Directives, such as Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and HIPAA Authorizations, allows her to counsel clients and ease the stress on families when they need help the most.

Prior to joining Kelleher + Holland, LLC, Monica worked with other firms and managed her own law practice, focusing on estate planning and administration, business creation and acquisitions, as well as other matters of business operations, such as succession planning, tax compliance issues, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, and buy-sell agreements.

Monica is a member of several professional and estate planning organizations, including WealthCounsel, the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, and the Northwest Suburban Estate Planning Council, where she was Co-President in 2020 and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. She is also involved in her community Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Planned Gifts Committee for the Northwest Community Hospital Foundation in Arlington Heights.

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law
    J.D. with High Honors | 1996

  • Roosevelt University
    BSBA | 1990
    Major: Accountancy with Honors

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant | 1990

Awards

  • Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce - Outstanding Women Leaders | 2022

Professional Associations + Memberships

  • Northwest Suburban Estate Planning Council | Member
    Co-President, 2020 – 2021
    Co-Vice President, 2018 – 2020
    Board of Directors, 2015 – Present

  • Northwest Suburban Bar Association | Member
    Estate Planning and Probate Committee Chair, 2015 – 2019

  • WealthCounsel | Member

  • American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants | Member

  • DuPage County Estate Planning Council | Member

  • Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce | Member

  • Illinois CPA Society-O’Hare Chapter | Member, 1991-1994

Pro Bono Activities

  • Northwest Community Hospital Foundation, Planned Gifts Committee | Member

Podcasts + Webinars

  • "Let's Talk Trusts" Itasca Bank Insights Podcast Episode 3 Guest Speaker | 2023

Published Works

  • “Simple Will Updated May Not Be Enough”
    Almanac | Spring 2018