Eileen Kerlin Walsh, J.D.,  Principal Attorney

My experience growing up in an isolated setting cultivated a unique perspective: one rooted in

relationships and an understanding that life is about more than external trappings of success. This ethos would later guide my approach to law, where I would shift from the adversarial world of criminal defense to the more nurturing realm of estate planning. I read an article once that divided lawyers into warriors and healers. I realized, then, that I was not a warrior, that I was a healer. Estate planning is healing. It’s about guiding clients through difficult transitions in their lives. It’s about making sure they are taken care of emotionally.

 

After receiving my J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, I worked in government, honing my skills as a criminal defense attorney with the Public Defender’s Office. However, despite the many compelling cases and rich legal experiences, I found myself yearning for a less adversarial practice—one that required more empathy and care, where success wasn’t measured by courtroom drama but by the satisfaction of knowing that someone’s future had been secured. So, I branched out and started my private practice at my kitchen table with young children in tow. I know this is where I belong! Estate planning is the heart and soul of the law. It’s an intimate practice that requires trust. I get to talk about the hopes and dreams people have for their loved ones and the impact of their decisions for generations to come. 

Kerlin Walsh Law estate planning is focused on helping individuals and families put thoughtful planning around what they’ve built. We draft wills and trusts, guide clients through trust and probate administration, and assist with related real estate matters. After more than 25 years working with clients in our office, in their homes, and even at hospital bedsides, we’ve come to believe that no area of law is more important or more rewarding. This is the most vital, emotionally challenging, and ultimately satisfying legal process our clients ever undertake.

 

Estate planning is certainly about protecting assets and loved ones, but it is much more than documents. It is about our clients — their unique story, their life’s savings, their values and beliefs, and their hopes for the future. That is what we thoughtfully weave into a personalized plan. We help clients put intentional planning around what matters most to them, guiding them with warmth, clarity, and competence so they can move forward with confidence. Estate Planning should not be seen as a legal chore, but as one of the most meaningful life decisions a person can make. Too often, people think of an estate plan as paperwork or a task to check off a list. They do not realize that they have accumulated an estate, particularly if they own a home. In reality, it is about protecting the people you love, preserving what you have built, and ensuring the right people have the authority to act when it matters most. Estate Planning is an act of care, responsibility, and clarity.

I am beyond blessed for 5 wonderful gentlemen – my eldest son, who is engaged to be married, is a fireman and EMT with a local fire department, my second eldest son, who recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and now works at KWL, my next son, who is on a volleyball scholarship at Lincoln University in Missouri, and my youngest, a senior at our local High School, who is involved in a variety of sports and pursuing his Eagle Scout status. Above all my heart goes to my dear Tom, who has been the rock of our family, and has his own general contracting business. I am also one of twelve brothers and sisters, who all grew up on a small farm in Ireland, and I came to the U.S. in 1989 and fell in love with Chicago and the American dream.