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Julia has over 20 years of experience representing diverse business industries and individuals as debtors in reorganizations, bankruptcy, and debt restructuring. She has been lead and co-counsel in Chapter 11 bankruptcies on behalf of real estate developers, hospitality companies, commercial landlords, manufacturers, fabricators, logistic companies and high net-worth individuals. She also has significant experience representing lenders and creditors in bankruptcy court and state court, including stay modification litigation, adversary actions, priority lien disputes and commercial collection and foreclosure, as well as contractors and homeowners in construction and mechanic’s lien litigation.
Julia has in-depth experience drafting contracts, leases, business sales transactions and settlement agreements with an eye toward anticipating potential litigation and protecting her clients. Additionally, she represents condominium and homeowners’ associations in litigation, collection, negotiations with vendors and disputes with utilities and municipalities. Julia is experienced with drafting estate plans and representing estate and beneficiaries in probate litigation.
As a seasoned attorney, Julia handles all aspects of litigation including investigations, pleadings, discovery, pre-trial matters, trial, and if appropriate, settlements and/or appeals of trial decisions.
Julia is a frequent speaker with the Illinois State Bar Association on topics in Bankruptcy, Mechanics Lien and Collection Strategies.
Julia is the Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Practice, and a second year honoree for the 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers recognized a top rated Bankruptcy attorney.

- Partner Julia Jensen Smolka Celebrates 25th Work Anniversary and 50th Birthday!
- Julia Jensen Smolka Named “Advocate of the Year” by The Advocates Society
- Julia Jensen Smolka Moderates Illinois State Bar Association Program on Subchapter V!
- The Five Must Have Estate Planning Documents
- RD Celebrates Women’s History Month
- Julia Jensen Smolka Moderator for ISBA Collecting Judgments & Bankruptcy Issues Series
- Julia Jensen Smolka Elected Third Vice President of the Advocates Society
- Julia Jensen Smolka has been selected to the 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- Robbins DiMonte Attorneys Announced as 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers® & Rising Stars
- Celebrating Women’s History Month-Meet Julia Jensen Smolka
- Julia Jensen Smolka, Speaker, Collections for the Non-Collection Attorney on January 18
- Dominic G. Erbacci and Julia Jensen Smolka: Case Achievement-Successful Summary Judgment
- Presenter for Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection on September 1
- Co-Presenter, ISBA CLE Webinar “Collections for the Non-Collections Attorney”
- Julia Jensen Smolka Appointed as Advocates Society’s Secretary for 2023
- Appointed to Northern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Liaison Committee
- ISBA Bankruptcy Basics: From the Creditor’s Perspective on November 18
- Speaker and Moderator for ISBA’s Live Web “Bankruptcy Basics: From the Debtor’s Perspective” on October 20.
- Speaker, Advocates Polish American Attorney Association in April 2022
- Debt Limits Increase For Chapter 13s; Making Reorganization More Affordable For Debtors
- Bankruptcy Laws Favoring Small Business Chapter 11 Reorganizations Extended Through March 27, 2024
- Julia Jensen Smolka, new officer of the Advocates Society
- Overall Bankruptcy Down 40%
- Lien On Me: Understanding the Commercial Real Estate Broker’s Lien Act
- Whose Ring Is It Anyway?
- If the Dress Fits, You Must Acquit
- Think Post Judgment Collection Before You Even Enter into the Contract
- Julia Jensen Smolka Speaks at Park Ridge Chamber Roundtable
- Timing is Everything When It Comes to Battling Your Creditors
- Third Party Beneficiaries and Privity of Contract
- Adeptly defended a landlord, securing a favorable judgment against the tenant plaintiff, who sought approximately $100,000 in combined damages and fees due to an alleged breach of contract and violations under the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance. The defendant landlord effectively presented testimony and evidence at trial that countered many of the plaintiff tenant’s assertions. Following a bench trial, the court entered judgment in favor of the defendant landlord on all counts, absolving the landlord of any obligation to compensate the tenant.
- Represented hotelier in chapter 11 reorganization in Lake County, Illinois.
- Represented commercial landlord in strip center against debtor in Subchapter V Chapter 11.
- Represented Chapter 7 trustee in collection efforts against insiders for recovery of fraudulent claims.
- Represented real estate developers in Chapter 11 reorganizations. Clients were able to sell real estate and prevent foreclosures.
- Represented several property owners in reorganizations to prevent loss of properties from real estate tax buyers.
- Represented logistics company in Subchapter V Chapter 11 Cases during Covid.