Meet Our Attorneys
- Free Parking- Personalized Service- In Business Since 1992
Experience Counts When It Comes to Legal Matters
Established in 1992, Tillman and Tillman provides personalized and community legal services. Our family-owned business will make sure you receive the best recourse to your legal problems. Call
us today to request an appointment.
Mark V. Tillman, Sr.
In 1976, Mark Tillman graduated from DePaul University of Chicago, IL, where he earned a B.S. in Commerce with a concentration in Personnel Management. Upon graduating, Mark became an insurance agent with Prudential Insurance Company, where he won countless awards for his customer service and outstanding sales figures. Although he was experiencing success as an insurance agent, Mark decided to attend law school while also working as an Agent. Mark graduated from John Marshall Law School of Chicago, IL, in 1989. Upon graduating Law School, Mark worked as an associate for Hyatt Legal while still maintaining his career as an Insurance Agent.
After achieving a great deal of success in both fields, Mark decided to purchase a branch of Hyatt Legal and convert it into his own private practice. In 1992, Tillman and Tillman was founded; Mark served as the President and CEO since.
Mark served as a board member of HRDI for over 24 years and has been serving as Chairman of the Board since 2010. While serving on the Board of Directors of HRDI, Mark has worked on and chaired numerous committees. As a self-proclaimed servant, he proudly served on the board of an organization whose aim is to serve the “sickest and poorest” and who has been successfully doing so for nearly four decades.
Mark also served as the Chairman of the Board for the Dorothy Sutton Branch Headstart Program for 20 years, which is a community partner of HRDI. In 2009, he was appointed to the International Conference on Alcoholism and Addictions (ICAA), and with the appointment, he was selected to serve as Board Secretary.
Mark was born and raised in the Englewood community of Chicago, IL, the fourth born of 13 children to Vernell and Nellie Tillman. Mark has five children, ten grandchildren and he now lives in a south suburb of Chicago with his wife, Sharon. When not working, he enjoys trips to the gym, watching sports, traveling, spending time with his family, and serving as a Deacon, Trustee, member of the Male Chorus, and Sunday School Superintendent at the Hopeful Missionary Baptist Church.
Michel’le Messenger
Michel’le Messenger is an Associate Attorney at Tillman & Tillman & Associates, where she brings a strong commitment to advocacy, community, and client services. A proud native of the South Side of Chicago, Michel’le grew up with a deep appreciation for hard work and perseverance. She attended Lindblom Math & Science Academy, graduating a year early. She then went on to earn her Undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, graduating magna cum laude from Clark Atlanta University. After graduation, Michel’le worked at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, sharpening her litigation and case management skills by supporting attorneys in high-stakes matters.
Building on her business foundation, Michel’le pursued her Juris Doctor at DePaul University College of Law, where she developed a passion for helping clients navigate both corporate and personal legal challenges. While at DePaul, Michel’le served as the Vice President and Social Media Chair of the Black Law Student Association. Her legal experience spans corporate and litigation practice. At McDonald’s Corporation, she supported senior counsel on franchise, supplier, commercial, and labor matters, gaining firsthand experience in the complexities of operating a global enterprise. Additionally, at a private equity firm, she contributed to mergers and acquisitions by drafting term sheets, shareholder agreements, and due diligence memoranda for multi-million-dollar transactions.
At Tillman & Tillman & Associates, Michel’le is excited to combine her corporate training, litigation experience, and business acumen to serve legal clients with diligence and care. She is especially committed to making legal services approachable and accessible, carrying forward the firm’s long-standing reputation for excellence.
Outside of practicing law, Michel’le enjoys traveling, leisurely reading, and working out. She remains active in her community through volunteer work with Metrosquash, Top Box, and various local initiatives. Her professional affiliations include membership with the Cook County Bar Association, Black Women Law Association, and the Illinois Bar Association.
Ismail Ibrahim
Ismail Ibrahim, Associate Attorney at Tillman & Tillman and Associates, was born and raised in Chicago’s Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods. His South Side upbringing instilled in him resilience, integrity, and a strong sense of service—values that continue to guide his practice of law. Ismail treats every case with the same dedication and care he would offer his own family, embodying the firm’s philosophy of providing both professional excellence and personal attention.
Ismail earned his Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he received a top-tier legal education from the nation's most distinguished professors and was inspired by Howard’s legacy of advocacy and excellence. His time there affirmed his calling to the law, giving him both the skills and the perspective to serve as a committed advocate for individuals, families, and communities.
Before joining Tillman & Tillman and Associates, Ismail practiced at Chapman and Cutler LLP, where he served as counsel on dozens of complex capital markets and finance transactions totaling billions of dollars. He advised governmental entities, nonprofits, and private companies in high-stakes debt issuances across multiple states, gaining deep experience in structuring deals, drafting critical legal documents, and ensuring regulatory compliance. He later broadened his practice at Walker & Associates, where he managed a wide range of litigation and transactional matters, including contract disputes, construction agreements, real estate matters, and criminal defense.
Drawing from this diverse background, Ismail now focuses his practice on the firm’s core areas: family law, estate planning and probate, real estate, and personal injury. In addition to his legal practice, he has a strong record of service within his community and active involvement in professional organizations. Consistent with the mission of Tillman & Tillman and Associates, he is committed to combining big-firm experience with community-centered advocacy to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.
Share On: