Dora Cornelio

Dora Cornelio is a real estate tax attorney at Schmidt Salzman & Moran, Ltd. Prior to joining Schmidt Salzman & Moran, Dora was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, and practiced in the Civil Rights and Torts Division. In that role, she represented Cook County and its employees before the Circuit Court of Cook County and the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Dora is skilled in all aspects of litigation, including trial, pre-trial preparation, and motion practice. She also served as legal extern for the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama, in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Dora is a volunteer attorney with the Center for Disability and Elder law. She also serves as President Elect for HLAI: Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois and previously served as Communications Secretary and Recording Secretary. Dora is also Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Real Estate Tax Subcommittee on Assessments and Appeals and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. 

Dora’s leadership and service transcends the legal field. She has been a member of Wilbur Wright College Paralegal Program Advisory Board since 2013. Dora also serves as Chairperson for Casa Central’s Emerging Leaders Auxiliary Board (ELAB) and previously served as Vice Chair in 2020. She has been an ELAB member since the Board’s inception in 2018. Dora was recently named to Negocios Now Who’s Who in Hispanic Business Chicago - Law and was named to the publication’s Latinos 40 Under 40 class of 2020. 

Dora received her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. In her spare time Dora enjoys trying new restaurants, long walks with her dog, and spending time with her niece, family and friends.