Staff
Dr. Diana Uchiyama, JD, PsyD, CAADC
Executive Director
Dr. Diana Uchiyama joined LAP in 2018. Prior to joining LAP, she was the Administrator of Psychological Services for DuPage County where she oversaw a DASA licensed substance use treatment program, including a MISA program, and DHS Domestic Batterer Intervention Program for a court mandated population of clients. Dr. Uchiyama has also worked for the Kane County Diagnostic Center, as both a Staff Psychologist and Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator, and has an extensive background doing court ordered psychological, sanity, fitness, and sex offender evaluations and therapy. She has implemented numerous changes to court ordered programs both in Kane and DuPage County and is a certified trauma informed care trainer. Prior to obtaining her masters and doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Uchiyama was an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County working in various felony courtrooms at 26th and California. She obtained her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. [email protected]
Tony Pacione, LCSW, CSADC
Deputy Director
Tony Pacione joined the LAP staff in 2013 and became LAP’s clinical director in January 2014. Tony has worked as a clinician and program director in the addiction and behavioral health field — at Humana-Michael Reese HMO, Rush University Medical Center, the Advocate Addiction Treatment Program, and Harborview Recovery Center. Tony is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and a Certified Supervisor Addiction Counselor. He holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Education degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. [email protected]
Joe Scally, MA, JD
Clinical Director
Joe Scally is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a B.A. from the Program of Liberal Studies. He holds a J.D. from the University of Illinois Law School and an M.A. in clinical psychology from DePaul University. He completed an internship in clinical psychology at the Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, UIC. Joe also did postgraduate study at the Family Systems Program, Institute for Juvenile Research, UIC. As a lawyer, Joe has practiced in Illinois for many years, most recently for the past eight years at The Child and Family Law Center.
As a clinician, Joe has been on staff at the DePaul Community Mental Health Center, the Parenting Assessment Team at UIC, the ASSETS clinic at University of Chicago Hospital, and St. Raymond’s Psychological Services. Joe served as clinical co-director of the Clinical Evaluation and Services Initiative (CESI), a joint project of Northwestern University Law School and the U. of Chicago Hospital. CESI was based in the Juvenile Court of Cook County at the invitation of the Chief Judge with funding by the MacArthur Foundation. The multi-year project examined how mental health information was obtained and utilized in the court and made suggestions for reform. Joe has taught graduate courses in Mental Health Law, Ethics, and Assessment at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. [email protected]
Carol Ramski, MBA
Accounting Manager
Carol Ramski joined the LAP staff in 2020. Prior to joining LAP, she worked as an Accounting Manager at Amita Health supporting the Addiction Services Programs through month-end, financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, and system support. Carol earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Master of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from DePaul University. [email protected]
Alison Siczek
Director of Development and Outreach
Ali joined LAP in 2025. She began her legal career as a Legal Intake Specialist at the Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness. She then attended University of Denver-Sturm College of Law where she was a Chancellor’s Scholar and Articles Editor of the Denver Law Review.
After law school, she received an Equal Justice Works fellowship to work at Beyond Legal Aid. Her project focused on representing immigrant mothers in removal proceedings. She then worked at Beyond Legal Aid as a staff attorney practicing immigration and family law.
When she is not at LAP, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children in northwest Chicago.
Donald Romano
JD, PsyD- Clinical Associate
Dr. Donald Romano joined the LAP staff in late 2024. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Political Science from Elmhurst University, as well as a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University. Dr. Romano has worked in substance abuse, community mental health, and psychiatric hospital settings.
Dr. Romano earned his Juris Doctor degree and a certificate in Intellectual Property from Chicago-Kent College of Law. As an attorney, Dr. Romano practiced municipal law, handling issues related to local governance, dispute resolution, and advocacy on behalf of local communities. Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Romano has served as a volunteer judge at regional tournaments for the American Mock Trial Association, leveraging his expertise to mentor emerging legal talent. [email protected]