J.D. | Wealth Preservation & Trust Advisor
My name is Patrick Buster Bustamante
It brings me a great deal of personal satisfaction to grow and contribute my experience in estate planning support, trust services, legal research, document review, client counseling, and wealth-transfer planning with Gateville Law in Yorkville, IL. I bring a client-centered approach, careful attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to explain complex matters clearly and respectfully.
Professional Experience
Gateville Law Firm, LLC
J.D. | Wealth Preservation & Trust Advisor
Yorkville, Illinois | July 2025 to Present
Supporting attorneys and clients with estate-planning and trust-services matters, I perform client intakes, legal research, document review, due diligence, deed and property-transfer research, and wealth-transfer planning. My work emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, responsive client service, and explaining complex legal concepts in clear, practical language.
Key Responsibilities:
• Client Intake & Counseling Support: Conduct detailed interviews to identify clients’ estate-planning objectives, family circumstances, assets, ownership interests, beneficiaries, and document needs.
• Estate-Planning Support: Assist with the preparation and review of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, deeds, and related documents under attorney supervision.
• Legal Research: Research state, county, and recorder-specific requirements involving deed preparation, execution, recording, and property transfers.
• Document Review & Due Diligence: Review legal documents, property records, asset information, beneficiary designations, and supporting materials for accuracy, completeness, and potential concerns.
• Wealth-Transfer Planning: Support the development and implementation of estate-planning strategies involving asset ownership, beneficiary arrangements, and multigenerational wealth transfers.
• Client Communication: Explain estate-planning documents, procedures, and next steps in clear, accessible language tailored to each client’s familiarity and circumstances.
• Legal Writing & File Management: Draft client correspondence, document summaries, research findings, and follow-up requests while maintaining confidential files with accuracy and discretion.
Top Skills: Estate Planning | Trust Services | Client Counseling | Legal Research | Document Review | Client Intake | Wealth Transfer Planning | Due Diligence | Legal Document Preparation | Client Communication
Legal Internships
Volunteer
Center for Disability & Elder Law
Chicago, Illinois
January 2025- May 2025
CDEL provides free legal services to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout Cook County. The organization focuses on legal matters related to financial and housing stability, estate and end-of-life planning, divorce, and adult guardianship.
Key Responsibilities:
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Conducted client intake and assessments to identify legal needs
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Performed legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis
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Participated in client consultations under attorney supervision
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Managed and organized case documents for active matters
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Reviewed and analyzed residential lease agreements
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Drafted legal memos, briefs, and client correspondence
Hesed House
Aurora, Illinois
August 2024 - December 2024
Hesed House is the second-largest homeless shelter in Illinois and plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families facing eviction or experiencing homelessness. As a legal intern, I assisted in providing critical legal support to help patrons regain stability.
Key Responsibilities:
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Conducted client intake interviews to assess legal concerns
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Performed legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis
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Managed and maintained case documentation
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Reviewed and analyzed housing and eviction-related legal matters
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Prepared materials for expungement filings
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Drafted legal memos and brief documents to support attorney casework
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Interpersonal Skills supporting Team Collaboration.
NIU Student Legal Aid
DeKalb, Illinois
January 2024 - August 2024
Under the supervision of university attorneys, we supported the Division of Student Affairs in handling a wide range of legal matters affecting the student body.
Key Areas of Focus:
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Traffic and criminal violations involving student conduct
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Consumer affairs and related legal concerns
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Discrimination cases in housing and employment
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Lease reviews and eviction support
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Budgeting guidance and protection order assistance
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Handled various miscellaneous legal matters impacting students
EDUCATION
Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees
Northern Illinois University
College of Law
Juris Doctor
May 2025
Focused coursework in transactional law, including:
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Constitutional Law
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Contracts & Sales
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Housing Law
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Insurance Law
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Land Use & Zoning
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Legal Research & Writing
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Property Law
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Real Estate Law
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Trusts & Estates
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
College of Liberal Arts
Bachelor of Arts: Law & Society
May 2021
Explored critical thinking in the concept of Legal Ethics in the U.S. Legal System and it effects on:
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Civil Rights
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Constitutional Law
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Criminal Law
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Elder Rights
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Juvenille Delinquency
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Legal Philosphy
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Minority Rights
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Woman's Rights
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
College of Agriculture
Bachelor of Science: Interdiscplinary Agriculture
May 2020
Undergraduate Life Sciences degree in a Life Sciences program focused in Biochemistry Research of global food insecurity due to corn mold. Scientific skills include:
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Data Analysis
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Data Integrity
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Interpersonal Commmunications
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Microsoft 365
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Scientific Analysis
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Scientific Integrity
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Scientific Writing
Employment History
Aspiring Ashes
Start-up Scientific Advisor
May 2022 - December 2023
Oversaw the Research, Developement and subsequent Patent Research for a pioneering, vermiculture-based, soil mix additive to plant cremains and plant-life together, promoting plant safety as well as a healthy soil ecology.
Key Responsibilites:
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Conducted USPTO Patent Searches to identify conflicts with commercially available products that share a common purpose.
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Developed strict testing protocols for product integrity.
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Played a key role in product development, ensuring market differentiation and quality standards.
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Collaborated with R&D for product enhancement, aligning with market standards.
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Data Analysis to make reccomendations to optimize results.
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Interpersonal Communications to provide insights for stakeholder decisions.
State of Indiana
Family Case Manager
June 2021 - June 2022
The fundamental reason Family Case Mangers exist in any state is to investigate allegations of neglect and abuse, ensuring thorough examinations for minors' well-being.
Key Responsibilites:
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Conducted risk assessments, offering informed recommendations to authorities.
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Managed a diverse caseload of neglect and abuse accusations with Empathy and Professionalism.
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Negotiated emotionally charged conflicts prioritizing child safety.
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Presented testimony in juvenile and criminal court proceedings, advocating for vulnerable minors.
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Served as an Immigration Liaison for the protection of Hispanic minors in the community.
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Facilitated conflict resolution through effective communication, prioritizing minors' best interests.
Purdue University Labs
Biochemistry Research Assistant
June 2016 - September 2018
Contributed to statistically sound findings on corn mold's impact on global food security with a graduate and undergraduate Biochemistry Research team from the College of Agriculture.
Skills Gained:
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Conducted complex Statistical Analysis and Scientific Data Entry
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Ensured accuracy and reliability of research outcomes through meticulous data entry and analysis.
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Performed hypothesis testing, informing conclusions on corn mold's impact on global food security.
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Supported business members and colleagues with clear Presentation and Proposal Writing, fostering interdisciplinary engagement.
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Communicated complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, deepening understanding of research implications.
Skills Summary
Professional & Legal Skills
• Estate-planning support involving wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, deeds, and related documents
• Client intake and counseling support focused on family circumstances, assets, ownership interests, beneficiaries, and planning objectives
• Document review and due diligence for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and issues requiring attorney attention
• Legal research involving property transfers, deed preparation, execution, recording requirements, contracts, and estate-planning matters
• Wealth-transfer planning support involving asset ownership, beneficiary arrangements, and multigenerational planning objectives
• Legal writing, including client correspondence, research summaries, memoranda, document explanations, and follow-up requests
• Clear, client-centered communication that makes complex legal and procedural information easier to understand
• Confidential case-file management, records organization, conflict resolution, and professional collaboration
Scientific & Analytical Skills
• Scientific research, experimental design, controlled testing, and evidence-based problem-solving
• Development and implementation of structured product-testing protocols
• Data collection, analysis, interpretation, and documentation
• Public USPTO patent searching and review of potentially relevant prior art
• Research and development support for an early-stage soil-science product
• Literature review and evaluation of scientific and technical information
• Identification of inconsistencies, missing information, performance concerns, and areas requiring further investigation
• Translation of complex scientific findings into clear recommendations for technical and nontechnical audiences
Academic & Technical Skills
• Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law
• Bachelor’s degrees in Law and Society and Interdisciplinary Agriculture, with a life-sciences and biochemistry focus, from Purdue University
• Associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College
• Relevant legal education in Trusts and Estates, Property, Real Estate Transactions, Secured Transactions, Business Associations, Family Law, Insurance Law, Professional Responsibility, Legal Research, and Legal Writing
• Authorized for supervised clinical legal practice under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711
• Legal research proficiency using Westlaw, LexisNexis, statutes, court rules, public records, and government databases
• Technology proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Google Drive, electronic document systems, and digital records management
• Strong technical aptitude, written communication, presentation skills, academic research, and attention to detail
Looking Ahead
My academic background includes a Juris Doctor, two bachelor’s degrees, and an associate degree, reflecting a longstanding commitment to learning, research, and professional growth. My experience in public service, estate-planning support, scientific research, product development, child-welfare case management, and student leadership has strengthened my ability to analyze complex information, communicate clearly, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate effectively.
I find joy in contibuting my experiences in estate planning, trust services, legal research, document review, client counseling, due diligence, and wealth-transfer planning. I bring a client-centered approach, careful attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to explain complex matters in clear, practical language.
With respect,
Patrick B. Bustamante