Top Separation Lawyers Near Me in Chicago Area

Christopher's interest in the law began before attending law school. Christopher grew up in Bridgeview/Oak Lawn and attended Oak Lawn Community High School.(1991) After attending college at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1996), Christopher worked for Farmers Insurance Group as an injury claims adjustor and later, a senior claims adjustor.  After graduating from John Marshall Law School (2002), he worked as an insurance defense and divorce trial attorney.  In 2008, Christopher moved exclusively to a personal injury practice, involving car accidents, slip and fall injuries and civil rights violations.  Since 2011, Mr. Holwell's practice focused on divorce. Christopher is married to Lauren and has 3 children.

Christopher is a compassionate and accomplished Chicago family law attorney who focuses on divorce, custody, child support and many other areas of family law. Throughout his legal career, Christopher has been recognized by his peers as an outstanding member of the Chicago legal community. In February 2014, he was recognized by the Chicago Law Bulletin in a front page article for his robust commitment to family law and the clients he serves. Additionally, in March 2013, Christopher was honored by as “Advocate of the Month.” This incredible honor was bestowed by his peers for their appreciation of Christopher’s extraordinary dedication and contributions to the legal community.. A natural born litigator, Christopher brings a confident and charismatic personality to the courtroom. Having been “first chair” in both jury and bench trials, Christopher understands and welcomes trial when necessary to achieve the goals of his clients.. Academically, Christopher attended DePaul for his undergraduate degree, double-majoring in English and American Studies, and John Marshall Law School, for his Juris Doctor and Masters degree in Intellectual Property.. Christopher is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He also sits on the Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, serving on the Language Access Committee.

Chris Wehrman represents clients in a variety of litigation matters involving family law issues including dissolution of marriage proceedings; custody, visitation and parenting time disputes; spousal support (previously known as alimony); child support; domestic violence; prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; adoptions; and, post-decree actions. Chris also has trial experience in other areas of law including personal injury, commercial, and other civil matters.. While Chris’ focus is litigation, he has also completed the Divorce Mediation Skills Training through Northwestern University and uses the skill set to help resolve issues without litigation when appropriate or feasible.  He is also a mediator.. Chris is a former Big Ten athlete who qualified for both the 2004 and 2008 Men’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon.  Chris formerly served as a board member and President of the Chicago Area Runners’ Association (CARA) and is a currently an invited Nike+ running coach for the Chicago Nike Running Club.

Chicago, Illinois lawyer providing legal representation in family law matters. Curtis Bennett Ross is a Cook County attorney who concentrates his practice on divorce and family law. Mr. Ross's background is in the business and financial sector. Mr. Ross obtained his CPA (certified public accountant) license in 1977 and is currently registered as a CPA in Illinois. Mr. Ross received his license to practice law in 1980. The combination of financial and legal education has served Mr. Ross well in that he has been recognized by the Court for his specialized business and financial knowledge by appointment as a receiver and as a financial expert in family law matters. This distinction is unique and not one the Court often makes. These appointments are a vote of confidence in Mr. Ross's abilities and set him apart from his peers. Mr. Ross has given back to the community by lecturing on behalf of the Illinois State Bar Association in the area of family law and has also enjoyed full semesters of teaching in the areas of accounting and federal income taxation at the University of Illinois at Urbana. Mr. Ross enjoys a good reputation among his peers and other professionals such as mental health care providers and accountants.. Chicago Family Law Attorney with Many HonorsCurtis Bennett Ross is known for representing a wide variety of clients, with a wide variety of issues. Mr. Ross has a consistent track record for success and works for his clients without compromising his ethical obligations. Mr. Ross enjoys recognition from the judiciary and serves as an officer on several committees. Mr. Ross has been given the highest Avvo rating of 10.0 and has a high level of industry recognition from his peers for his efforts. Mr. Ross's peers find him to be honest and knowledgeable, always staying on top of the latest legal developments. The Law Office of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC is staffed with friendly professionals and uses up to date technology to meet today's innovative standards.. Using a Respectful Approach to Get Satisfactory ResultsMr. Ross approaches each case from a position of respect; respect for his clients, the Court, and the other side. His years of experience show that treating all the parties fairly yields the best results for his clients. Mr. Ross fights hard for your rights and the rights of your children while maintaining a level of professionalism recognized by his adversaries. Mr. Ross's peers and former clients give him high marks for his honesty and knowledge. Mr. Ross also receives recognition for his specialized financial knowledge, and this allows him to represent clients with a broad range of financial needs and status. Mr. Ross is able to effectively value complex business assets and other property valuations. Outside of the office and in his spare time, Mr. Ross enjoys spending time with his family and friends.. Call today to schedule your appointment with a Chicago family law attorney.. At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC we value your time; we promptly return your phone calls, give you a free initial phone consultation, and offer flexible appointment schedules. Call us today at or visit us online to schedule your appointment.

Cecilia (Leah) devotes one hundred percent of her practice to the area of family law. She handles complex financial estates, including multifaceted business valuations, income determination issues, valuation and division of employee benefits such as stock options and restricted stock, dissipation claims, tracing of marital and non-marital assets, as well as custody, visitation and removal disputes. She has been hired as a consultant and expert witness in family law matters.. During her 29 plus years of practice, Leah has become a strong advocate of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). To that end, Leah has had extensive training in mediation and collaborative law. Whenever possible and appropriate, Leah encourages parties to participate in ADR through which parties can achieve an individualized post-divorce plan for their family. ADR also allows Leah’s clients privacy and confidentiality. However, when necessary, Leah will advocate for her clients aggressively in the courtroom. She has extensive litigation experience and has been a faculty member at the prestigious National Family Law Trial Institute teaching other family law attorneys advanced courtroom skills.. Leah began practicing law in 1990 in the areas of environmental and commercial real estate law. Seeking a more family oriented practice, in 1993, Leah transitioned to family law and has never looked back. After six years of training at a well-known Chicago family law firm, Leah struck out on her own, opening the Law Offices of Cecilia Hynes Griffin. Now known as Griffin McCarthy & Rice LLP, the boutique law firm practices exclusively in the area of family law. Known for its experience, strength and compassion, Griffin McCarthy & Rice LLP has helped thousands of families successfully navigate the divorce process.. Leah is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Admission to this national organization requires extensive oral and written testing, and peer and judicial recommendations. She has served on the Board of Managers of the Illinois Chapter of the Academy and the Family Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. She has been nominated an Illinois Super Lawyer in the area of family law every year for over a decade. She is a frequent lecturer and has authored numerous articles on family law topics. Leah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Burton Hochberg focuses his practice on helping clients negotiate the evaluating and division of property by bringing a welcome objectivity and practicality to the proceedings.  Mr. Hochberg has over 40 years of experience and is regarded as “tough but fair” by his colleagues.  He has significant expertise in serving high net worth clients in the areas of child support, child custody, maintenance and property valuation.. Mr. Hochberg is an experienced litigator, but makes every effort to keep a case out of court when possible.  He helps clients going through the divorce process by highlighting their concerns, and estimating settlement options from a cost-benefit stand point.

Beth is a shareholder at Beermann.  Since receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1992, Beth practices exclusively in family law matters.. Beth is uniquely qualified to represent clients in the most difficult circumstances. The philosophy under which Beth practices is founded on compassion and empathy. When going through a divorce, people are often scared and vulnerable. It is their attorney’s job to be aware of their needs and look for the most appropriate solution for the individual.. Some battles should be fought in court and others should not. Litigation is always a viable option, however negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement is often the less painful and most cost-effective solution. In order to better serve her client’s needs, Beth trained as a Collaborative Law Attorney.  Beth is a Collaborative Law Fellow with the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois.  To learn more, please visit .. Working closely with a certified divorce planner, Beth strives to ensure both she and her client gain a clear understanding of the long term financial impact of a settlement on all parties.. Beth is on the Advisory Council for Between Friends and sits on the Board of Rainbows for all Children.. Beth was quoted in an article in Forbes Magazine entitled "Five Things Every Married Woman Needs to Hear About Divorce"  The article can be found at:  ?partner=email.. Beth was named Top 50 Women Super Lawyers and Top 100 Super Lawyers in the State of Illinois for 2013-2016.

Aurelija Fitzpatrick graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law where she was a Civitas ChildLaw Fellow.  She has worked as a law clerk in the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian as well as a private law firm.  She practiced in Juvenile Court while still a law student under a special license from the Illinois Supreme Court.  She has concentrated her practice on family law since January 2012. Aurelija has written and published several articles related to family and child law.  She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association and practices in Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, and Kane County Circuit Courts.  She is also admitted to the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.. Aurelija is on the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Board, and is an active volunteer at the Tree House Humane Society.

As an attorney who has focused his career in the practice of family law, Jared Pinkus has negotiated settlement agreements and engaged in litigation pertaining to complex financial disputes, child custody and out of state removal matters, jurisdictional disputes (including disputes related to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act) and paternity actions.. Jared takes a measured yet calculated approach when representing clients who are going through difficult times in their personal lives.  In Jared’s experience, a well-negotiated settlement agreement frequently offers his clients the best value and security for both the client and their family.  When negotiating settlement agreements, Jared works with his clients to formulate and implement a strategy always keeping the client’s final objectives at the forefront.. Unfortunately, settlement is not always an option.  Keeping that in mind, throughout the negotiation process Jared utilizes discovery tools, motion practice and the rules of procedure and evidence to position his client’s case for litigation.  At trial, Jared takes an aggressive yet reasonable approach arguing the particular facts of each case to the applicable law.. Jared has tried and received favorable results in actions pertaining to the following:. ·         Allocation of complex marital and non-marital estates, including the valuation and allocation of privately held businesses.. ·         Forensic accounting and tracing of income and other funds over a significant period of time.. ·         Determination of appropriate child and spousal support (maintenance or alimony).. ·         International jurisdictional dispute between Illinois and India.. ·         Initial child custody disputes and modifications to child custody and visitation schedules.. ·         Child custody and visitation issues involving drug and alcohol abuse.. ·         Seeking and defending against out-of-state removal of a minor child.. Super Lawyers Magazine named Jared as a Rising Star in the area of Family Law in both 2012 and 2013, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of all Illinois attorneys under 40.

Appeared on two episodes of Celebrity Justice in September of 2004; Two live interview with the news program which aired world wide relating to a highly contested divorce case involving a celebrity rapper in September of 2004. Radio interivew with Man Cow discussing prenuptial agreements in January 2012. Radio inteview on WGN 720 AM Radio regarding Military Divorce in 2012. Quoted in in an article about prenuptial agreements. Quoted in Reuters online edition / divorce and finance. Janice L. Boback has been certifed as a memberof the Lawyers of Distincion.  The Lawyers of Distinction is recognized as the fastest growing community of distninguished lawyers in the United States.  Membershiph is limited to the top 10% of attorneys in the United States.  Members are accepted based upon objective evalutaion of an attorney's qualifications, license, reputation, experience, and disciplinary history.

Andrew Spivack is the owner and principal of the Law Offices of Andrew Spivack with offices located in Chicago and the northern suburbs. Andrew Spivack has represented hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, spousal support, child support, arrearages and retro support, visitation, post-decree, parentage and other family law cases.. Areas of practice also include pre and post-nuptial agreements, college contribution, paternity and DNA testing. Also consistent with the new changes in the divorce laws in 2016 areas of practice include preparation of parenting agreements and allocation of parental responsibilites.. Andrew Spivack is a strong advocate for his clients and protecting their rights. He believes every person should be fully informed and have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to guide  them through the difficult and important decisions they face with the goal of acheiving the best results and outcome.. Representing clients for over 35 years in all areas of divorce and family law, Andrew is a highly experienced attorney who  is well respected among his peers and judges alike. He is on the divorce and family law panel of the Chicago Bar Association attorney referral service, certified as a Child Representative and Guardian Ad Litem for children and has been appointed to represent children in numerous cases, a Court Faciliiator for the Domestic Relation Division and  a member of the Illinois and Florida Bar Associations.  Andrew Spivack handles cases in Chicago and the northern suburbs inclluding all the suburban district  courts as well as cases in Cook, Lake and Dupage counties.. Satisfaction  with the ultimate outcome of the case demands both an experienced and agressive advocate. Andrew Spivack possesses these qualities. Clients have the right to be educated, counseled and prepared for the important decisions  they face that affect them, their children, their family and future.

Andrew Engle practices family law with a positive approach to helping his clients. "Although in most of our cases, people are experiencing varying levels of personal turmoil, the right family law attorney can help clients navigate the overwhelming legal system and achieve favorable results." In addition to offering his clients expert legal advice and strategies, Engle often finds himself serving their more emotional needs as well. He explains, "I try to help people cope with their individual situations and overcome a difficult part of life with dignity and self-respect.". "I'm drawn to family law because I'm fascinated by the interaction of the law with psychology," Engle says, adding that "Davis Friedman has been a leading firm in the field of family law for decades. The legal experience and resources provided by our team are exceptional." Typically, his prospective clients are dealing with issues that are both legally and emotionally complex. "People have to grapple with the sadness, anger and disappointments associated with divorce and custody cases, while making sound financial decisions and agreements that best suit their family. It is my job to help guide clients through the difficulty of balancing their feelings with the financial business of divorce. My challenge is to reduce the emotional stress of the cases and help clients make thoughtful, intelligent and sensible decisions.". Engle says he always attempts to work amicably with opposing attorneys to settle cases as fairly and swiftly as possible. If there is the need for litigation, he and his colleagues work tirelessly to achieve outstanding results. Engle is guided by his strong sense of ethics and responsibility to be a fierce advocate for each of his clients.. Engle's practice extends across Cook, Lake, Du Page, Will, McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties. His clients include physicians, lawyers, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, media personalities, business owners, homemakers, teachers and union members, as well as their spouses.. Engle's caring attitude and dedication to his wide range of clients is what motivates him every day. "I've found that being a divorce lawyer puts my own life into perspective. My goal is to help people feel satisfied and content. At the end of the day, we are trying to restore hope and give people the tools they need to start the next chapters of their lives."

Andrea Lum, an associate attorney at the Law Offices of A. Marcy Newman, has been an indispensable part of the team since 2009. Her passion for domestic relations began while in law school at Chicago Kent, where she worked in the Family Law Clinic. Ms. Lum also completed a judicial externship with Ret. Judge Leida J. Gonzalez-Santiago, where she observed domestic relations proceedings and gained first-hand experience in litigation. After graduating from law school, Ms. Lum enrolled in the Family Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at Chicago Kent. As a part of the program, she took classes taught by leading family law attorneys and completed an externship at a firm specializing in financial evaluations in domestic relations cases.. Ms. Lum excels at the in-depth financial analysis often required in family law, from the calculation of child support and maintenance, to the more complex details of property and business valuation. She works closely with clients to help them analyze financial documents and discover marital and non-marital assets, and designs her litigation strategy and settlement agreements around that information.. Ms. Lum has successfully defended clients against appeals and is well versed in applying her knowledge of domestic relations law to her cases.  In 2020, Ms. Lum was recognized as Rising Start by Super Lawyers, an honor only given to no more than 2.5% of lawyers in Illinois.. Ms. Lum earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago Kent College of Law and was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association in 2008. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and will soon complete a Master of Laws Degree in Family Law at Chicago Kent. Ms. Lum studied Political Science and Spanish at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2004. As an undergraduate she lived for a semester in Madrid, Spain, where she was fully immersed, and became proficient in, the Spanish language.

Alexandra brings to her practice two vital characteristics: a judgment-free approach focused on helping the client through difficult emotional situations, and years of experience focused on family law issues.  Alexandra has seen it all - from broken relationships as a result of extra-marital affairs, to children who are alienated from their parents.  Alexandra understands that this is a highly emotional time for everyone involved and focuses on getting the family through this difficult time in the best way possible.. Alexandra's achievements have been recognized by several organizations, including being named "Top 40 Under 40" in family law by the National Advocates in 2017, and selected as one of Super Lawyer's Rising Stars for 2018, an honor that is reserved for a limited number of lawyers each year.  Alexandra has also published several articles on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee for Women and the Law’s newsletter The Catalyst.

After graduating from the University of Chicago (1985), I attended Chicago-Kent College of Law where I was a member of the Law Review.  I was nominated by Appellate Court Justice Warren Wolfson to Chicago’s Lincoln Inn of Court – a most prestigious honor offered to only a handful of trial advocates.. I went solo out of law school in 1991; not sure of which area of law I would eventually concentrate in.  To pay the rent, I had to take any case that walked through the door.  The very first one was a BIG divorce case with a very, very well-respected oponent (top-notch).  I was terrrified . . . but confident.  I ended up winning a number of fights in the case; the client was very happy, and I had learned about art appraisal, child psychology, major investment strategies, bankruptcy, real estate, and criminal defense -- and that was all in the first few months.  I was hooked.. Since that first case, I have concentrated my practice exclusively in the areas of family law and matrimonial matters.. I am licenced to practice in Illinois and have been recognized by the Supreme Courts of New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and Indiana, to represent clients in family law matters in those jurisdictions. I have successfully tried numerous cases in Illinois and have successfully argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and have also prevailed before the Illinois Supreme Court.  I have authored several works on divorce and family law in Illinois.. I have been and remain a member of the American Bar Association (Family Law Section), the Illinois State Bar Association (Family Law Section), and the Chicago Bar Association (Matrimonial Law Committee).

A practitioner in the area of family law for nearly three decades, Dean Dussias has built his reputation by representing entrepreneurs, executives and other prominent clients in high profile and financially complicated cases with a careful, discreet approach that solves problems and mitigates risks.. With a focus on providing the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the area of family law, Dean helps clients and their families navigate this difficult and emotional area of the law with dignity, compassion and privacy. This means helping clients negotiate when possible, but also being prepared to litigate when necessary.. Because his goal is to solve disputes in a rational and cost-effective manner ensuring privacy among his clients, Dean often recommends alternatives to costly court proceedings, such as mediation and collaborative divorces.. An accomplished speaker and author, Dean gives lectures and writes articles for legal publications about the latest developments in family law. He has been a faculty member and lecturer at the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and often appears in the media talking about divorce related topics. He is a member in good standing with the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA).. Dean quickly established a reputation as a top resource for high-net-worth individuals, garnering awards and honors for his work. He is regularly recognized as one of the Chicago area's leading family law attorneys. His honors include selection as one of Illinois' "Super Lawyers" from 2008-2018, "Leading Lawyers," and "Best Lawyers in America." Dean also has an AV (which is the highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell. He was selected in 2002 as one of "40 under 40 attorneys to watch in Illinois." He is fluent in the Greek language and is a member and director of the Hellenic Bar Association (HBA).

A founding partner of Bradford & Gordon, LLC, Derek J. Bradford is recognized in the Chicagoland area as an experienced and innovative advocate in all areas of family law. His areas of expertise include complex financial matters and difficult custody issues. His work on behalf of a wide ranging clientele has provided Mr. Bradford with the experience to not only litigate matters from commencement through trial, but to use that experience to settle cases when it is in his client’s best interest.. Mr. Bradford has successfully litigated cases involving valuations of closely-held corporations, complex financial issues including tax issues, maintenance, paternity, child support, custody, and visitation issues. He has also brought dozens of actions under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. Mr. Bradford has developed creative techniques for litigating and settling family law issues. In addition to his experience in matrimonial law, Mr. Bradford worked as a tax consultant prior to beginning his legal career. He frequently utilizes his background in tax law to assist clients with divorce planning.. Derek has earned a reputation among his peers as an effective problem-solver. He uses his understanding of complex financial matters to help his clients understand their options during what is often a very traumatic time in their lives. Mr. Bradford approaches each case with equal parts compassion and legal acumen.Education. Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.Washington State University, B.A.Leadership & Honors. In 2012, Mr. Bradford was recognized by the Chicago Lawyer Magazine as one of the top “40 Under 40” attorneys working in Illinois. Mr. Bradford was selected for this honor from more than 1,250 attorneys who were nominated for the award.. Mr. Bradford has also used his expertise in family law as a frequent lecturer with the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education as part of the Family Law education programs as well as lectures for the Chicago Bar Association.. Lecture Series Information. IICLE Addiction and Abuse Sept 9 2016IICLE Civil Unions and Their Impact on Family Law 2014IICLE Financial Statements – Dec 18 2015IICLE Income Pitfalls in Child Support & Maintenance 2014IICLE Non Traditional Visitation Issues 2014IICLE Working with Experts 2014Publications & Press. Men’s Book Magazine – Entrepreneurship and DivorceCrain’s Roundtable on Executive DivorceCS Magazine – Women and Divorce Q&ACS Magazine – Power Players 2018Bustle Magazine – Secrets That Can Ruin a Relationship – May 2017IICLE Publication – Preliminary Considerations in Dissolution Actions 2015