Spotlight on Margaret A. O’Sullivan

Margaret O’Sullivan has been a practicing attorney for 17 years. She spent the first 15 years of her career as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney and worked primarily in the areas of Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence. After leaving the State’s Attorney’s office, she wanted to find a role where she could apply the skills she developed as a prosecutor, but also expand her knowledge. That led her to work in Guardianship and specifically work as a Guardian ad Litem in Cook County Probate Court.

Since April 2011, Ms. O’Sullivan has worked in private practice for Michael T. Huguelet, P.C. in Orland Park. In addition to Guardianship matters, she represents clients in Probate, Estate Planning, Real Estate as well as handling Municipal Prosecution for the Village of Orland Park.

Somehow, Ms. O’Sullivan handles all of this seemingly effortlessly while also raising her five children with her husband, Dan Reidy. She is a mother to Sean (15-year-old boy), Liam and Ian (11-year-old twin boys) and Molly and Maura (10-year-old twin girls). The O’Sullivan-Reidy family lives in the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago. Margaret O’Sullivan and Dan Reidy, a Chicago Firefighter, are able to manage their family and demanding careers thanks to workplace flexibility and lots of help from caring relatives. Margaret O’Sullivan’s mom, Sheila O’Sullivan, and aunt, Peg Scott, have helped the O’Sullivan-Reidy family thrive. Ms. O’Sullivan credits the support of family when marveling at how often people recognize her children’s good character.

When she first entered private practice, Margaret O’Sullivan was inspired to get involved with the ISBA through her interactions with the Honorable Russell Hartigan. Ms. O’Sullivan represented the Village of Orland Park before Judge Hartigan and he shared with her the value of the legal community and connections offered by the ISBA. Ms. O’Sullivan quickly decided that the best way to get involved with the ISBA was to run for Assembly. Through the support of other ISBA members, Ms. O’Sullivan was successful in becoming elected.

Through the Assembly, Margaret O’Sullivan has found a way to connect with a diverse group of attorneys, learn more about other practice areas, and help impact legislation in Illinois. Her work on the Assembly led to her appointment to the Women and the Law Committee, where she has forged great friendships and found new ways to be impactful in the legal profession. Her dedication to making a difference in the legal community continues as she seeks another term as an Assembly member.

Margaret O’Sullivan is a passionate advocate for her clients and her colleagues and I am proud to support her Assembly election. I hope all ISBA members will follow suit and vote for Margaret A. O’Sullivan in the upcoming elections. ■