For three generations in Riverside, the name Dvorak and the legal profession have gone hand in hand.
It began with Liberty and Joe Dvorak Jr., who met through their families, later reconnected at Kent Law School and married soon after. Liberty began working part time with her brother, who was also an attorney. When he was called into the service of his country, Liberty assumed full-time responsibilities of the office. She was ahead of her time!
Joe Dvorak Jr. was also in the service and eventually joined Liberty in the law office when his brother-in-law, upon his return from the war, announced he was moving to California. Thus began the long, successful partnership in marriage and the practice of law for Dvorak and Dvorak.
Inspired by his parents’ dedication, Joe Dvorak III followed in their chosen profession, also attending Kent. The respect his parents had among members of their profession became evident when Joe III was admitted to the bar in a private ceremony overseen by Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz.
As Dvorak Jr. made the petition for admittance to the bar for his son to the judge, he was surprised to find it was denied. Immediately, however, the judge acknowledged the petition from the new lawyer’s mother, Liberty-a testament to the influence and power of mom.
With his concentration primarily in the fields of real estate and probate law, Dvorak spent years with a firm in Chicago before returning to Riverside, where he shares space with fellow attorney Dave Newman.
As Dvorak puts it, “I enjoy the law and I don’t know what else I would rather do.” His clients appreciate his personal touch, which has gone so far as walking the client’s dog. I can only imagine it was done pro bono.
The newest member of the firm is Joe Dvorak IV, who knew what he wanted to be early in his life. He stated, “I grew up with it and saw what they did.”
Attending Bradley University, he received a degree in political science and communications before attending John Marshall Law School. As a part of his education, Joe IV spent a semester studying in the Czech Republic. He spent some time in Peoria working in a congressional office and upon returning to the Chicago area and the field of law he worked at Peoples Gas and various firms.
It soon became apparent he did not care to work for a large firm and joined his father in the “family” business.
Joe Dvorak Jr. has passed away. Liberty Dvorak lives at the Scottish Home, is still in touch with her chosen profession and can readily give an opinion when asked. Needless to say, she is very happy to see the addition of her grandson to the firm.
Joe Dvorak III enjoys working side by side with his son at the Riverside office and learning from each other. Joe IV, aside from establishing himself as an attorney, looks forward to his impending marriage to Jennifer Weiss, from the Peoria area, in August.
Could there be another family member to join the business in the future? Baby James Long, the son of Christine (Dvorak) and Bryan Long, has not yet decided what he would like to do. His focus is on eating, sleeping, playing and being cute.
Nancy Dvorak, the wife of Joe III, says in reference to her husband, “I look at what he does as a ministry and he loves what he does.”
Three generations of practicing law and, more importantly, three generations of family.