Education

J.D., Washington University School of Law

B.S., University of Kansas

People

Lorraine Cavataio

Shareholder

Lorraine joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2012. She focuses her practice in business law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, litigation and real estate.

Lorraine has more than 30 years of experience in representing a wide range of clients in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas in matters involving  trusts and wills, estate and trust administration and litigation, guardianships, and corporate and business representation. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has effectively resolved numerous estate tax issues over the years. Her proficient knowledge of the court systems throughout the Illinois state courts has also been beneficial in providing extraordinary legal counsel to her clients.

Lorraine’s experience in the estate planning practice has made her a well-respected informational lecturer locally, nationally, and internationally. She has also authored chapters for the Illinois Institute of Continued Legal Education (IICLE) and has previously served as their Chairwoman of the Board. Lorraine is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Lorraine has served in firm leadership positions including as a practice group leader and on various committees.

Licensures and Admissions

Illinois

Missouri

Kansas

Professional Affiliations

Executive Board of Directors for the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois (2023-Present)

Great Lakes Fellows Institute of the American College of  Trust and Estate Counsel, Member of the Senior Advisory Committee

Mackrell International- International Committee Americas Representative (2023-Present)

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Previous Board of Director

Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education

Illinois State Bar Association

Leadership Illinois

Missouri Bar Association

St. Clair County Bar Association

Civic Activities

O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, former board member

Belleville (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce, former board member

Belleville YMCA

Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, former board member

Make-a-Wish Foundation

March of Dimes

St. Clair Country Club, former board member

Belle-Clair Rotary Club, District Governor in 2020-2021

Presentations

“The Art of Planning with the Bigger Exemption,” Commerce Bank

“Structuring Trusts and Administration to Minimize Fiduciary Risk,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 60th Annual Estate Planning Short Court in Champaign and Chicago

“Complex Issues with Privilege,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 59th Annual Estate Planning Short Course in Champaign and Chicago

“Advanced Estate Planning Concepts: From Goal Articulation to Strategy Implementation,” The Gray Group/Merrill Lynch

“Planning for the Unexpected,” Eastern Illinois Estate Planning Council

“Disrupting the Trust,” Panel for the Northern Trust Advice Summit

“Controlling from the Grave:  Is Flexibility a Good Thing,” The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

“Professionalism:  Required Recordkeeping and Saving Your Sanity,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education New Lawyer Institute

Estate Planning Issues and Taxes/Succession Planning Speech for Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. CPA CLE Course

“Administering the Estate Efficiently”, “Determining if Spouse’s Elective Share is a Reasonable Option,” and “Putting the Case to Rest – Closing the Estate,” National Business Institute

“Will and Trust Contests,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 57th Annual Estate Planning Short Course

“Balancing Many Hats and Role Reversal,” Riverbend Growth Association’s Ladies’ Day at the Track

Panelist for Women in Leadership: Partnership with Diversity Partnership in Maryville University

“Beneficiary Issues – Advancements Versus Gifts and Squatters in the Residence,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education

“Inventory, Annual Reports and Fiduciary Accounting,” ISBA Guardianship Bootcamp

“Estate Planning Issues,” Country Companies District Sales Caravan Meeting

“Practice Management:  Specifically, Baby Boomers, the Age Wave and Legal Zoom – How Estate Planners Can Survive the Tsunami,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 55th Annual Estate Planning Short Course

Primer: “Essentials and What I Wish I Knew,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 55th Annual Estate Planning Short Course

“Organizing the Process Within Your Office and Increasing Profitability,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Financial Planning Tools for Small Estates Course in Springfield January 2012

“Ethical and Legal Concerns Impacting Practice Management,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 54th Annual Estate Planning Short Course in Chicago & Springfield May 2011

“Estate Planning for Disability,” ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference

“Potential Pitfalls of Representing Illinois Residents or Clients with Illinois Real Estate”, UMKC Estate Planning Internship

“The Business of Estate Planning or Estate Planning in Business,” St. Clair County Bar Association

“Special Needs Trust,” Community Link

“Estate Planning – Why you need it and what I do,” Metro East Underwriter Association Young Agents

“Lurking Malpractice in the Mundane,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education Estate Planning Teleconference Series

“2032A Recapture Tax,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education 52nd Annual Estate Planning Short Course

“Special Needs Trusts & Special Situations,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education 51st Annual Estate Planning Short Course

“Special Needs Trusts,” St. Clair County Bar Association CLE Program

“Hot Topics in Probate Law,” Illinois State Bar Association

“Deciphering the Boilerplate,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education 50th Annual Estate Planning Short Course

Publications

“Disability Provisions in General (non-SNT) Living Trusts,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007 Special Needs Trust Handbook, Chapter 13

“Basic Estate Planning: Introductory Drafting and Tax Issues,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Practice Handbook, Chapters 3 and 4

“Drafting Wills and Trusts for Smaller Estates,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2004 Practice Handbook, Chapter 3

“Management of Decedent’s Personal and Real Property,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2003 and 2009 Illinois Estate Administration Practice Handbook, Chapter 5

“Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2000 Illinois Estate Planning: The Basics and Beyond Practice Handbook, Chapter 6 and 2003 Supplement

“Counseling the Personal Representative, Marshaling Assets and Inventory,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1999 Illinois Estate Administration Practice Handbook, Chapter 3

Awards & Recognition

2015-2025
Illinois Super Lawyers
Super Lawyer
Estate Planning and Probate Division

2021
Martindale-Hubbell®
Very high rating in both legal ability and ethical standing