Our Team
Jenny Hougland
Paralegal
Jen Hougland is a Paralegal at Hanauer Law. Having previously worked for the late Daniel G. O’Day, before joining Hanauer Law in June 2021, Jen has 26 years of experience in various areas of law, including divorce, custody, child support, criminal defense, and civil litigation. Jen is married with five kids and a house full of beloved animals.
Jen primarily handles the day-to-day operations of dissolution of marriage cases, including custody, child support, maintenance, and property division in preparation for trial of the divorce matters; criminal cases, including FOIA requests, initial motion practice, and initial discovery review; and civil litigation cases, including discovery disclosures. Jen works out of the Peoria office and may be contacted directly at [email protected].
She is dedicated, compassionate, and capable in all areas of her work. Jen has the knowledge and experience to handle your case.
Shadow Jennings
Paralegal
Shadow Jennings is a Paralegal at Hanauer Law. Having previously worked for the late Daniel G. O’Day, before joining Hanauer Law in October 2018, Shadow has 7 years of experience in various areas of law, including divorce, custody, child support, criminal defense, and civil litigation. In her spare time, Shadow enjoys camping, art, traveling, spending time with her massive dogs that double as miniature horses, and attending concerts.
Shadow primarily handles the day-to-day operations of dissolution of marriage cases, including custody, child support, maintenance, and property division in preparation for trial of the divorce matters; criminal cases, including FOIA requests, initial motion practice, and initial discovery review; and civil litigation cases, including discovery disclosures. Shadow works out of the Peoria office and may be contacted directly at [email protected].
She is dedicated, compassionate, and capable in all areas of her work. Shadow has the knowledge and experience to handle your case.
Trista Hanauer
Registered and Licensed CPA
Trista Hanauer is a Registered and Licensed Certified Public Accountant. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with her BA in Accountancy, Summa Cum Laude, and with Upper Division Honors. Trista then graduated from the Leadership Masters in Accounting Science program at NIU. While at NIU, Trista was a member of Beta Alpha Psi and a Graduate Assistant where she worked closely with a professor in the accountancy department.
Upon graduation, Trista spent the next ten years working as a tax accountant for the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services focused on the middle market. While working there, Trista furthered her education, receiving a Masters of Science in Taxation from DePaul University. She left the firm in August 2021 as a Tax Manager.
Trista is from Roanoke, Illinois. She lives in Central Illinois with her husband, Rob, and their four children, Matthew, Ryan, Emma, and Ellie.
Trista brings an unparalleled attention to detail and deep expertise of tax-related issues to the team at Hanauer Law. Her detail-oriented approach to reviewing voluminous data, and her keen ability to explain complex tax concepts in plain English, has proven invaluable in addressing financial issues arising in contested divorce and child support matters as well as complex criminal cases.
You want Trista on your legal team.
Chase Wildermuth
Law Clerk
Chase Wildermuth is a student at Bradley University pursuing degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, with the intent to go to law school following his graduation from Bradley in December of 2024. Chase has years of writing experience, having tutored writing since middle school. Chase has helped hundreds of students improve their writing skills, all the way up through the university level. During his junior year of college, Chase did an exchange year and completed the prestigious General Course program at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England. Chase will join the firm as an associate attorney following the completion of his studies.
Outside of the office, Chase has served as both President and Vice President of Theta Chi Fraternity at Bradley University. Chase is involved on Bradley’s campus, being an active member of the Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts clubs. Chase spent Summer 2024 in Washington, D.C., working as an intern for Congressman Darin LaHood of Illinois’ 16th Congressional District—the district in which Chase grew up and currently resides. Chase is active in Illinois politics and serves as the Political Director for Sally Owens’ campaign for Illinois Senate.
In his free time, Chase enjoys hiking and the outdoors, training at the Peoria Athletic Club, reading, and playing chess. Outside of the law, Chase is interested in literature, philosophy, politics, history, and health and wellness.
Chase works for the office full time during summers, and part time during the school year as his schedule permits. Chase assists in all areas of the practice, completing various tasks as needed by the attorneys and paralegals, but primarily focuses his work on the extensive writing and research required in many cases.
Bethany Hougland
Executive Assistant
Bethany Hougland is an Executive Assistant to Rob Hanauer. She has been working at Hanauer Law since August 2020. In her spare time, Bethany enjoys camping, art, and spending time with family and her beloved dog. Bethany handles corresponding with clients to confirm court appearances and scheduled conferences. Bethany further assists with the day-to-day operations at Hanauer Law.
