Staff Members | Ostling & Abbott

About Our Team

Dedicated Attorneys.
Compassionate Advocates.

Our attorneys and legal assistants are committed exclusively to bankruptcy law. We combine decades of experience with a client-focused approach to help individuals and families achieve a fresh start.

Our Founder

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Lars Eric Ostling

Founder

Eric founded Ostling & Abbott in 1979 when the firm was known as Ostling and Associates. The two-man firm grew over the years, and now Eric, who specializes in business, tax, and governmental law, acts as a consultant for complex cases. For over 35 years, Eric has practiced law in a variety of areas. For the last decade or so, however, Eric has concentrated almost entirely on the financial and bankruptcy law for individuals and families in the most difficult of financial circumstances. He has experience in the areas of criminal law and family law prior to financial law practice.

Lars Eric Ostling is a well-informed, professional and client-focused law practice. For over 35 years founder and attorney Lars Eric Ostling supports his clients with integrity. His dedication is also rewarded by the leading lawyer rating platform Leading Lawyers. For the year 2019 Ostling is recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy in Illinois. On ThreeBestRated, Lars Eric Ostling is rated as one of the best Bankruptcy Attorneys in Springfield as well as in Peoria. In the team of law firm Ostling & Abbott Ostling supports the mission with integrity and advises his clients on an individual basis in a competent manner.

Outside of the office Mr. Ostling is trying to attend as many of his grand children’s sports practices and events, along with their concerts, plays, etc.

Illinois State University

Kansas University

Our Attorneys

Illinois State University '18

MBA

USC Marshall School of Business '22

USC Gould School of Law '22

Julian Garcia

Managing Attorney

As the managing attorney at Ostling & Abbott, Julian Garcia is responsible for providing strategic direction for the firm while running the day-to-day functions to ensure continued growth of the company. Julian works with clients providing business advice, and student loan advice. He creates financial and legal solutions that are practical and suitable for each individual client.

Before joining Ostling & Abbott, Julian served as counsel to highly regulated companies and organizations, including venture capital and startup companies (addressing issues such as raising capital and corporate compliance) as well as companies in the cannabis industry and cannabis law practicing in multiple states and countries around the world.

In his free time Julian is seeking balance in his life of physical fitness, mental wellness and personal growth. By maintaining a regime of regular physical exercise, wellness practices and continued learning and personal development Julian tries to bring the same considerate and grounded approach to all that he does for his clients as he does to his life outside of work.

Jeffrey Abbott

Senior Attorney

BA
Illinois Wesleyan '83
JD
Washington University '86

Bankruptcy Attorney Jeffrey Abbott is a seasoned lawyer with over twenty years of experience. Jeffrey started in 2005, where he represents individuals and businesses through bankruptcy as well as other litigation including foreclosure defense.

Jeffrey was previously employed at a public interest law firm where Jeffrey represented many clients. Jeffrey’s time at the public interest law firm, where he did much of his work through pro bono legal services, has helped foster Abbott’s strong commitment to helping people in difficult circumstances and to practice high quality law.

Outside of the office Jeffrey is an avid gardener and loves to spend time tending to the flower beds at the main office of Ostling & Abbott in Bloomington, Illinois. The same attention to detail and dedication to follow through that Jeffrey brings to his law practice is evident in his gardening.

BS
Bradley University ‘02
JD
Northern Illinois University ‘13

Michael Meyers

Senior Attorney

Mike Meyers joined Ostling & Abbott in 2016, bringing a powerful combination of legal expertise and dedication to his clients. Licensed to practice since 2013, Mike has successfully filed over 4,000 bankruptcy cases and advised more than 10,000 individuals and businesses navigating complex financial challenges. While a fierce advocate in bankruptcy court, he has also kept countless clients solvent by strategically negotiating settlements on debts ranging from small claims to six-figure corporate debts. He also offers specialized counsel on student-loan relief.

Prior to Ostling & Abbott, Attorney Michael Meyers had a diverse legal background includes significant experience in personal injury and workers' compensation law. He earned his law degree while working concurrently in retail jewelry and clerking for both a private injury firm and the Lee County State's Attorney’s Office—a testament to the strong work ethic he brings to every case today.

Outside of the office, Michael enjoys attending performances, and is a fan of live music. He tries to support the local arts scene by attending as many performances as he can get to, and he attempts to connect with the community through his love of music.

Jill M Arnold

Attorney

Jill M Arnold returned to Ostling & Abbott in 2026. As an attorney with the firm, Jill assists individuals in filing Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases. She provides legal research assistance to the attorneys in the firm, prepares detailed legal documents and filings for all cases, and prepares for and appears at Trustee meetings with our clients and hearings on behalf of our clients. Jill is extremely thorough, very organized, and detail oriented as she works with clients throughout their bankruptcy.

Jill's background includes work as a bankruptcy attorney at several large bankruptcy firms, working in private practice handling family law, estate planning and contract law, and serving as General Counsel for a Texas synthetic turf company. Thus, in addition to her prior work at Ostling & Abbott (2014-2017), she brings a very unique perspective to her practice of dealing with very complex legal problems for her clients. Jill is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana and Texas.

Jill enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is a huge pet lover, having her own dog, Booker, and cat, Kira, and hopes to add to the family soon. She will never say no to a conversation about, or pictures of, your dog.

BS
Illinois State University

JD
Valparaiso University School of Law

Robert Follmer

Of Counsel

Bob Follmer was one of the attorneys to join the staff of Ostling & Abbott in nearly two decades ago. He is currently an attorney for the firm and typically the first contact with many of our new clients. Mr. Follmer conducts the firm’s free virtual initial consultations with potential clients. He reviews the various options available to them and explains the initial stages of the bankruptcy process to assist them in making an informed decision as to which option best suits their individual situation.

Prior to Ostling & Abbott, Robert practiced law in the areas of criminal law, traffic law, and estate planning.

In his free time, Bob is a die hard Chicago Cubs fan. He is also an active volunteer at his church. Clearly, Bob is a man who values his community and his clients.

Our Legal Assistants

Ashley Anderson

Keila Kaaihue

Hailey Barowsky

C. Taylor Kean

Aidan Bevan

Erik Schutte

Bankruptcy legal assistants are key to our attorneys and our bankruptcy clients. Bankruptcy legal assistants at a law firm are responsible for many tasks. These responsibilities include preparation of paperwork, correspondence with clients, and other tasks associated with a bankruptcy. Bankruptcy legal assistants work to assist the bankruptcy lawyers at a law firm to help take great care of their clients going through bankruptcy. Bankruptcy legal assistants help to organize the bankruptcy process and make it as painless as possible for clients. They are typically very experienced, very sensitive to the needs and circumstances of their clients, and very organized.

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