Prior to opening her office in 1993 Attorney Payne had seven (7) years of insurance claims experience with a major property and casualty carrier followed by three years of litigation management and support experience with that carrier’s house counsel in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to these positions Attorney Payne taught English as a second language in Japan, Macau, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China.

Attorney Payne maintains a practice in the areas of Probate (Guardianship and Decedent Estates), residential and Commercial Real Estate and Contractual Litigation. Attorney Payne is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctor Degree. Noted honors included membership in the Lambda Alpha International Association for Real Estate Development. Attorney Payne also received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Secondary Education from Augustana College located in Rock Island, Illinois.

Attorney Payne has an Illinois Law License and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Cook County Bar association, American Bar Association, General Counsel for the Langley Community Commission (Woodlawn Community) and a Board Member of the Project Care Food Pantry of Chicago. Attorney Payne is the past President of the Board of Directors for the Nahamani Family service Center a group home for disadvantaged youth. Attorney Payne is also a member of Sarah Chapter #573 Order of the Eastern Star.