About Izabela
Izabela Czajkowska combines a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, earned in 2007, with an undergraduate background in accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her training in accounting often informs how she approaches estate and tax-related questions. She is a member of the State Bar of Illinois and practices in that jurisdiction.
Her legal career began after law school with a series of associate roles at small and mid-size firms. In 2008 she worked at Handler Thayer, LLP, and she moved to Strauss & Malk LLP in 2010. In 2011 she joined Patzik Frank and Samotny Ltd, where she handled a range of matters for individual clients. She took a position at Pembroke & Associates in 2015. In 2017 she became managing partner at Otte & Czajkowska, marking a shift into firm leadership while continuing to work directly with clients.
Czajkowska’s practice centers on estate planning and elder law. She prepares wills and trusts, drafts powers of attorney and healthcare directives, and advises on probate administration. Her accounting background gives her an eye for financial details in trust design and tax-sensitive planning. She also handles guardianship matters and helps families address long-term care planning and public benefit eligibility.
Colleagues and clients describe her work style as methodical and practical. She breaks complex documents into clear steps. She prefers straightforward explanations and written instructions that clients can follow after meetings. In counseling families she often balances legal options against financial realities, and she focuses on durable solutions that anticipate future needs.
Otte & Czajkowska operates several offices. The firm’s estate planning and elder law practice handles appointments at a Hickory Hills office and a Roselle Road location, both by appointment only. As managing partner she splits time between supervising firm operations and meeting with clients in person and by phone. She continues to accept new matters and consult on ongoing estate and elder law cases across Illinois.
Outside the office she maintains bar membership activity through the State Bar of Illinois. She has not publicly listed academic appointments or bar leadership roles. Her work remains concentrated on advising individuals and families about estate planning, probate, guardianship, and elder law matters. She currently practices estate planning and elder law at Otte & Czajkowska.
