Born Staten Island, New York, 1968; admitted to bar, 1995, Illinois. Education: University of Illinois, Bradley University (B.S., 1991), Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, DE (J.D., 1995).

Ms. Taraska has successfully litigated cases in Illinois involving complex personal injuries. As well, she has successfully arbitrated cases involving occupational injuries on behalf of Illinois workers under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act.

As a focus of her personal injury practice she frequently represents individuals and their families in medical negligence claims. Her cases have involved spinal cord injuries, surgical injuries, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and sepsis. Ms. Taraska also represents individuals involved in transportation accidents, products liability cases, premises liability claims and common law torts such as assault, battery and false imprisonment. More recently, Ms. Taraska has expanded her practice to include the representation of individuals arising out of business transactions such as the purchase of a residential property, home repair, and new construction based upon violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act as well as common law fraud.

Ms. Taraska's practice also involves the representation of Illinois employees in various employment claims including, but not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, racial discrimination, age discrimination, violations of the Family Medical Leave Act, wrongful termination in violation of the Illinois Worker's Compensation Act and violations of other federal and state law protecting those individuals with disabilities. She frequently represents clients before the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Social Security Administration, Department of Employment Security, and in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Ms. Taraska is active in professional organizations including the Peoria County Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the National Employment Lawyers Association. Ms. Taraska is a frequent guest writer for the Peoria Woman Magazine and often involves herself in events, which focus on the rights of Illinois workers in the workplace.

Ms. Taraska and her family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Utica Illinois and are active in the service of those individuals in need in the local community.