Derek Martin is the founder and managing attorney of Driver Defense Team, one of Illinois’ leading law firms for car crash injuries, DUI defense, traffic tickets, and license reinstatements. Raised in Chicago’s south suburbs, he managed over 50 employees while attending Chicago-Kent College of Law at night, and now leads a team helping clients recover, protect their licenses, and move forward confidently.

A Wisconsin native, Stephanie Kemen cut her teeth as a felony clerk with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office before entering private practice. Since 2009, she’s successfully defended thousands of clients and established her own firm before co-founding Driver Defense Team in 2016.

Chicago-born and raised, Kelly Moore joined Driver Defense Team after a decade at McSweeney Moore Law Offices. A John Marshall Law School cum laude graduate, Kelly has successfully handled cases from traffic offenses to first-degree murder, excelling in both trial work and pretrial motions.

Stephanie Buck is a veteran litigator with over 20 years of experience in both prosecution and defense, bringing a strategic edge from her 18 years as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney and time as a criminal defense firm partner. Her dual perspective enables her to anticipate the State’s tactics and build proactive, effective defenses for her clients.

Dmitry Polyakov is the lead personal injury attorney at DDT Law Group, bringing a rare dual perspective from years of defending insurers before advocating exclusively for injured clients. Known for meticulous preparation and aggressive strategy, he has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts across complex injury cases.

Klaudia brings over a decade of experience in traffic and criminal defense law. She graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University before attending the John Marshall Law School. As an attorney, Klaudia has gained extensive experience in private practice, where she’s litigated and negotiated speeding tickets, DUIs, and weapons charges.

David brings experience of helping over 2000 clients as a defense attorney. He received his law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law where he graduated with honors. As a prosecutor he handled thousands of cases including felonies, criminal misdemeanors, DUI and other driving offenses.

Allison Muth is a dedicated attorney with a strong background in civil and criminal litigation. She’s committed to guiding clients through their case with skill and determination. Her passion for advocacy and client-focused mindset drive her to achieve the best possible outcomes in every case.

Gerard Igoe is a licensed Illinois attorney and former Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney with courtroom and trial experience. A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and a former police officer, Gerard brings a disciplined, practical approach to legal issues with deep insight into law enforcement and criminal procedure.

Ruben Herrera is a skilled criminal defense attorney with experience in Illinois and Texas, including DUIs and serious felony cases. A former prosecutor and DePaul Law graduate, he delivers strong results through meticulous preparation and persuasive courtroom advocacy.

Steve Olczyk is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience in criminal, traffic, and DUI defense, having handled thousands of cases across numerous Illinois counties. Known for his strategic approach and thorough preparation, he provides clients with dedicated, individualized representation in hearings, negotiations, and trials. His broad legal background and client-focused mindset make him a strong advocate for achieving the best possible outcomes.

Aneetta Alex is a dedicated criminal defense attorney at Driver Defense Team who leverages her experience as a former prosecutor to build strategic, persuasive defenses. A Texas A&M School of Law graduate and former Assistant District Attorney, she uses her deep knowledge of prosecutorial tactics to challenge evidence and protect her clients’ rights.

Lisa Baldwin is the Lead of Operations at Driver Defense Team. She oversees our daily operations, manages case files, and ensures our processes are the best they can be. Outside work, Lisa enjoys hanging out with her family, dining out, and doing arts and crafts with her daughter. She’s also quite partial to a board game.

Sal is Driver Defense Team’s Lead of Collections and manages our accounts receivable. When you decide Driver Defense Team is the right firm for you, you’ll speak to Sal. He plays a key role in case intake and management, allowing us to help you when you most need us — sometimes even at short notice. When not working, Sal enjoys watching basketball and football.

Maria embodies her favorite quote and the Driver Defense Team way — “Great things are done by a team.” As a Legal Assistant, she’s often one of the first smiling faces our clients see, where she clearly explains their offenses and options. A Chicago sports fan, Maria cheers for the Cubs and Bears when she’s not walking her Siberian Husky.

Esmeralda brings enthusiasm and attention to detail to everything she does.
When she’s not helping clients with legal inquiries, you might find her at a baseball game (go Cubs), enjoying game night with family, or planning her next adventure.

One of Ricardo’s superpowers is putting our clients at ease so they have no doubt they’ve made the right choice by trusting Driver Defense Team with their cases.
When he’s not helping our clients and attorneys, you’ll find him catching a Bears game or UFC match.

Nicole is a Legal Assistant at Driver Defense Team, where she uses her 10 years of experience in customer service to provide exceptional client support. Nicole excels in connecting with clients, problem-solving, and multitasking, ensuring clients feel heard and supported from the very first call.

Jessica Tallian is a Senior Paralegal on the License Reinstatement Team with over a decade of experience guiding clients through the Illinois Secretary of State process. She is known for her deep understanding of driving records and her hands-on approach to helping clients overcome obstacles and regain their driving privileges.

As our Lead of Case Management, Liesel combines her business and project management expertise with meticulous attention to detail. She strives to make every client feel like the most important person in the room. Outside work, you’ll find Liesel building Legos with her son and playing with her creatively named cat, Socks McMeowMeow (not her first choice).

Senior Case Manager Hernan has a degree in Business Management and over five years of experience working in insurance. His problem-solving attitude, patience, and persistence make him a powerful advocate and a great reassurance to clients.
When not managing cases, you’ll find him on the tennis court or crushing a Padel match.

Armed with a Political Science degree and four years of legal assistant experience, Jan works closely with clients to gather evidence and provide updates on the status of their cases. Jan’s wise advice is to hang in there — it gets easier over time, and that’s exactly the calming and confident reassurance he brings to every client communication.

Case Manager Angel is responsible for collecting documents and keeping clients updated on their cases. She’s a law graduate with extensive training in the field and a specialization in criminal law, making her perfectly suited to explain DUI and other criminal charges.

Using her background in communications and marketing, Sheena plays an important role in making sure our clients are settled and know what to expect after they’ve chosen Driver Defense Team. She also ensures our attorneys have all the information they need to get the best result. She approaches every case with the qualities money can’t buy — positivity, sincerity, and integrity.

Laura is an experienced Case Manager with a law degree and over six years of experience supporting legal teams in criminal cases, including working with the State’s Prosecutor’s Office and Court of Justice. Her skills in case management, attention to detail, and strong work ethic contribute to the firm’s success. Outside of work, she enjoys competitive Pokémon TCG and embroidery.

AJ is an experienced Case Manager at DDT. He serves as a vital bridge between clients and their legal defense, utilizing a “human touch” and the art of listening to ensure every person feels important. By combining professional consistency with deep empathy, AJ maintains alignment between attorneys and clients to achieve successful outcomes.

Rodrigo supports Driver Defense Team’s Case Management by organizing client information and tracking case progress. He brings discipline, precision, and calm focus under pressure to every case.

Princess is a PI Paralegal who manages cases from intake to settlement. She expertly handles deadlines and client communication to keep every case on track.

Kurt is a dependable paralegal, specializing in case management and client communication. His years of experience ensure no detail falls through the cracks.

Mario Gaitan is a bilingual (English–Spanish) personal injury legal assistant with nearly four years of experience helping clients understand their legal options. He is known for his clear communication, efficiency, and client-focused approach, and plays an important role in providing strong service from the first call.

As Assistant Case Manager, Alejandra streamlines DDT’s operations by managing court deadlines, compliance, and legal drafting. Her meticulous organization ensures cases stay on track and our legal team remains fully supported.