Top best Family Lawyers in Chicago | 540 available

Ms. Boike has dedicated her career exclusively to family law, including issues of child custody and visitation, child support, maintenance, property division, complex financial matters, tax consequences, pre and post nuptial agreements, restraining orders and orders of protection. Although Ms. Boike is a seasoned litigator, she first attempts to secure favorable results for each client through negotiation and open communication.. Ms. Boike completed extensive training at the Chicago based Center for Conflict Resolution resulting in a certified mediator designation. Ms. Boike has been named a Rising Star in the area of Family Law by Super Lawyers Magazine, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of all Illinois attorneys under 40, named an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers, a designation given to fewer than 2% of the attorneys in Illinois, and named a Super Lawyer in 2018, 2019, and 2020, a peer designation awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. Further, in 2018 Ms. Boike was named one of the “Top 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.. Ms. Boike has also been approved to represent children in domestic relations matters as a guardian ad litem or child representative in the Domestic Relations Division of the Cook County Circuit Court.

Ms. Duda has extensive experience providing comprehensive, successful legal service to her clients for more than 20 years. Focused in the areas of family law, residential and commercial real estate, litigation, business law, estate planning, and probate, Ms. Duda has built her law firm to respond to the needs of her clients throughout their personal and professional careers.. Ms. Duda provides the level of legal service she would expect as a legal consumer, offering strategic, experienced representation on issues of divorce, custody, spousal support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and matters of domestic violence.. Ms. Duda is highly regarded for her work in residential and commercial real estate, including sales, purchases, leasing and real estate litigation including commercial litigation, construction litigation, and mechanic’s lien litigation.. With roots in Michigan and home in Chicago, Ms. Duda is committed to ensuring her clients receive the full-service legal representation associated with large law firms in a personal boutique firm setting.

Ms. Brieske approaches each case with the goal of an amicable settlement while still providing zealous advocacy on behalf of her clients. She has been referred to as a tough negotiator and litigator while still maintaining compassion for the life changing events her clients are experiencing.  With over a decade of practice in the area of family law, Ms. Brieske has substantial experience in all aspects of family law issues, including complex dissolution proceedings, custody issues, mental health evaluations connected to custody matters, protective orders and the division of marital assets. Ms. Brieske has advised clients relating to both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and has extensive experience in post-decree matters, including the enforcement of Judgments for Dissolution of Marriage and court orders.. Ms. Brieske also has extensive experience as a general commercial litigator having practiced at some of the largest and most prestigious firms in Illinois.  She is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and American Bar Association.. Activities:. Terri is a member of the Northwestern Law Alumni Club Chicago Board of Directors and volunteers regularly as a judge at Northwestern Law School's moot court competition. She also participates as a Family Law Court Facilitator assisting pro se clients with all aspects of domestic relations disputes.

Mr. Teich joined the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group in 2013 as a managing partner.  Mr. Teich is a skilled and dedicated attorney who has extensive experience representing both men and women in family law cases in Illinois.  He vehemently works to protect his client’s rights in family law disputes.  Mr. Teich’s interest in women’s rights dates as far back as law school, where, as a member of Law Review, he wrote an article concerning the issues of Battered Women’s Syndrome.  Mr. Teich became acutely aware of the lack of protection afforded women in family law cases when he began assisting female family members and friends in their cases.  These experiences, in part, fueled his desire to join a group focused on protecting and advancing the rights of women and mothers.. Mr. Teich has vast knowledge and experience with respect to litigating divorce cases and post-decree cases (such as child support, custody, visitation, educational expenses, maintenance (formerly known as alimony), etc.), and will fiercely advocate on a client's behalf.  At the same time, he is known for being a caring and even-handed attorney who puts the needs of his clients and their children first.  Mr. Teich also works in the areas of adoption and the guardianship of minors.. Mr. Teich has been mentored by prominent women in the legal profession, including the Honorable Ann C. Williams of the Seventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals.  He is also a member of the E-Women Network.. Mr. Teich has made multiple television appearances and appeared in periodicals (such as the Chicago Tribune) and online articles in connection with his divorce and custody cases.  He is a co-author of the book Strategies For Family Law In Illinois and was awarded SuperLawyer in 2016.  Additionally, he often speaks at conferences on family law issues.. Mr. Teich graduated with honors from Emory University in 1993 and graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law with honors in 2000.  Mr. Teich was the Executive Editor of the Chicago-Kent Law Review and was a recipient of a Scholarship for Academic Excellence.  He also received two CALI Academic Achievement Awards.. Mr. Teich is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and the Northern District of Illinois. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association.  Prior to practicing family law, Mr. Teich was an attorney in the corporate law department of McDermott, Will & Emery.  While practicing corporate law Mr. Teich gained invaluable knowledge regarding the infrastructure, valuation and management of businesses. Mr. Teich often utilizes his business knowledge in family law matters where a party solely owns or has a partnership interest in a business.

Mr. Sevin has successfully litigated issues including maintenance and child support, fraudulent transfer of assets and dissipation claims, valuation and division of assets, adequate compensation and characterization of marital and non-marital assets.. He has successfully represented parties in international and multi-jurisdictional family law litigation, including actions under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA).. Mr. Sevin is an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law where he teaches and frequently speaks on various litigation and trial-related matters, including drafting, cross examination, trial strategy and oral argument. He has also completed the intensive family law trial advocacy program of the National Family Law Trial Institute in Houston, Texas.. He has been selected by Super Lawyers magazine as an “Illinois Super Lawyer” in 2019, 2020, and 2021 and an “Illinois Rising Star” from 2011 to 2018. He has been selected by Leading Lawyers Network as an “Emerging Lawyer” in 2016, 2017, and 2020.. Michael was also appointed to the Family Law Section Council for the Illinois State Bar Association for 2020-2021.

Mr. Downs was President of the Illinois State Bar Association in 2005-2006 and was a member of the ISBA task force on attorneys for minority children, which drafted the Illinois revised child representative law.  He also chaired the ISBA Family law Section Council and was Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Matrimonial Law Committee.  He was also one of four recipients of the 1995 American Bar Foundation Family Law Pro Bono Services Award.  Mr. Downs' efforts have also been recognized by the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and others.  He did his undergraduate work at Grinnell College, where he was awarded their Distinguished Alumni Award, and he received his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2009.

Meighan Harmon focuses on complex family law cases involving the distribution of multi-million dollar estates and represents successful business professionals and their spouses from a variety of industries, as well as individuals with multi-generational wealth. Meighan is a versatile attorney who provides her clients a wide range of options for resolving their disputes.  She is an experienced litigator who can be fierce in the courtroom, but she is also a trained collaborative lawyer and a family law mediator who can devise creative solutions and amicably settle even the toughest of cases. No two divorces are the same, and Meighan possesses the skills necessary to provide the right solution for each unique situation.Not only does Meighan assist her clients in dissolving their marriages, but she also encourages them to be future focused.  She believes divorce offers clients a unique opportunity to build a positive future for themselves, complete with financial and emotional security.  To this end, she provides her clients with the tools necessary to help them construct a solid foundation on which to navigate their new lives.   For Meighan’s clients, divorce can be a spring board to reinventing themselves.Meighan is part of an elite group of leaders in family law. In 2011, she was elected by her peers to be President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  In 2016, Super Lawyers named Meighan as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Illinois, and she has since been named in Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyers Network, and Illinois Super Lawyers.  A frequent lecturer on family law topics, she is also a published author, having assisted in the researching and drafting of the book Problems in Family Law.  She also co-authors a chapter for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education titled Unique Employee Benefits:  Stock Options, ESOPs, Etc and published articles in the Matrimonial Strategist, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, The Family Advocate, and other publications.

Marcy Newman is recognized as a leading domestic relations attorney in Chicago and across Illinois. She is a skilled counselor with significant experience advising clients as they navigate life-changing events and legal matters crucial to their futures. Since 1979, Ms. Newman has focused exclusively on family law and the issues inherent to divorce, parental allocation, paternity, and separation. She is also a trained mediator, and has been appointed in numerous cases as a Guardian Ad Litem on behalf of minor children.. Representing clients in both traditional and same sex relationships, men and women, she uses her expertise and compassion to guide spouses, life partners and families through the process.  Marcy has extensive experience in all aspects of family law including, but not limited to:  divorce, legal separation, child support modification, division of assets, maintenance awards, modification of maintenance awards, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (f/k/a custody), and drafting of prenuptial agreements.. Ms. Newman is recognized by her peers for her contributions to family law. Every year since 2006, she has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers, an honor requiring a nomination by fellow attorneys in domestic relations, and available to only 5 percent of the lawyers in the state. In 2013 and 2014 Chicago Magazine recognized her as one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in the State of Illinois, and she has been named a “Leading Lawyer.”

Litigator, James M. Quigley has tried Divorce cases in Cook, Lake and DuPage Counties for 26 years. Prior to becoming a Senior Equity Partner at Beermann LLP, he founded Quigley & Associates, P.C., a full-service Divorce/Family Law firm providing a wide range of legal and paralegal services to a broad-based clientele. Before pursuing his entrepreneurial endeavor of running his own firm, as an associate, Mr. Quigley headed the Family Law Department of a firm providing legal benefits for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), representing a wide array of Chicago Police Officers, Chicago Firemen, Illinois State Police Officers and their families.. With a wealth of legal expertise and industry accolades, Mr. Quigley is driven by an unrelenting desire to help families navigate the complexities of litigation, in a way that preserves the family's relationship during distressing times. With a stronghold on the belief that there is nothing more precious than the sanctity of family, Mr. Quigley is particularly passionate about helping parents resolve custody disputes - including visitation, paternity and all other child support matters - in a manner most beneficial to the best interests of the children involved. Mr. Quigley is also recognized for his experience in the negotiation and trial of cases involving complex financial issues and property matters, and also represents clients in the drafting and enforcement of Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements.. Mr. Quigley is highly regarded for his work and discretion representing an array of high-profile athletes, celebrity entertainers, politicians and other high-wealth individuals, including Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. He provided legal expertise on a number of local and national media outlets including MSNBC, Fox News Channel, The Today Show, NBC Chicago, CBS Chicago, ABC Chicago, Fox News Chicago and has appeared and been quoted in various celebrity outlets such as People Magazine, Life & Style Weekly, OK! Weekly, US Weekly and more.. Mr. Quigley is a Fellow in the exclusive organization, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - an honor that requires the recommendation of a panel of existing members after passing a series of written and oral exams based on complex divorce and family law-related issues nationally and in the State of Illinois.  Other notable distinctions include being named a 2008-2018 Leading Lawyer; an honor awarded to fewer than 5% of lawyers in Illinois, a 2008-2018 Super Lawyer by Chicago Magazine and was elected the 2007-2008 Vice President of the DePaul University College of Law-Family Center Advisory Board. Mr. Quigley also received a 2008-2009 Martindale Hubbell (BV Rating), a peer-reviewed rating identifying lawyers with high, to very high legal ability.  Mr. Quigley is also a member a various Bar Associations and a member of the Sports lawyers Association, for which he heads the Midwest chapter and has lectured on Family Law issues Affecting Athletes and Entertainers.. In addition to his daily practice of divorce and family law, Mr. Quigley has assisted his Partner, Miles N. Beermann, in teaching a family law trial skills class at DePaul University College of Law, and has lectured for the Lake County Bar Association regarding marital property rights business valuations. He has also lectured for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education on recent case law developments in family law cases in Illinois as well as lecturing on Asset Protection.. Mr. Quigley's practice includes clients of diverse income levels, races, religions and ethnicity and prides himself on providing skilled, honest, experienced and professional service to all clients.  As a partner in a law firm that also provides additional legal services, Mr. Quigley is able to oversee matters handled by his Partners for his clients needing services in the areas of Estate Planning, Business counseling and litigation, Personal Injury, Real Estate and other areas of law.  This provides added value to his divorce/family law clients not available in a divorce firm the size of Beermann LLP.  Also, because of the firm's size, Mr. Quigley is able to utilize the services of skilled Associates and Paralegals that bill at lower hourly rates and that allow Mr. Quigley to handle cases of every size and complexity.  All of this translates to the experience, personal service and attention every client is entitled to during the difficult process of a divorce, custody dispute, prenuptial agreement negotiations and other family law matters.. Mr. Quigley was elected into the prestigious American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL), a national organization comprised of only 100 of the country's top divorce/family law trial attorneys who are also Fellows in the American Academy of Materimonial Lawyers (AAML).  Mr. Quigley is also a member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the American Law Society.

Leonidas L. Bezanis II focuses his practice in Family Law Litigation. Mr. Bezanis earned his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, where he was admitted with a scholarship for his academic achievements. Prior to his admission to the Illinois Bar, Mr. Bezanis spent numerous semesters clerking for the Felony Trial Division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, utilizing his 711 License to assist in the litigation of a myriad of criminal cases.. Following his experience with the State, Mr. Bezanis worked as a Judicial Extern to Cook County Circuit Judge James N. O’Hara. Mr. Bezanis’s duties included assisting with the management of a courtroom portfolio of more than 1400 cases as well as authoring draft opinions, legal memoranda and statements of issues regarding Illinois state tort claims.. Mr. Bezanis spent his final year of law school clerking at Beermann LLP, one of the most prestigious litigation firms in the state of Illinois. Immediately following his admission to the Illinois Bar, Mr. Bezanis was brought on as an attorney by the Beermann firm, where he assisted in the litigation and settlement of numerous issues for high profile clientele. It is at the Beermann firm that Mr. Bezanis was groomed to be a fierce advocate for his clients, no matter the odds.. Although Mr. Bezanis considers himself the most ferocious advocate for his clients, he has an equal level of compassion that allows him to understand his client’s needs on a personal level and on a case by case basis. Mr. Bezanis’s passion for helping people overcome difficult situations was realized well in advance of his legal career. For several years during his undergraduate career, Mr. Bezanis sat as President of a non-profit organization where his Administrative Board and he oversaw day to day operations, including the planning of numerous charitable events, raising thousands of dollars for the organization’s national philanthropy, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Kate Curler is the founder and principal attorney at the Law Office of Kate Curler LLC, a Chicago law firm offering personalized, reasonably-priced legal services to seniors, the disabled and their families.. Spurred on by her personal experience advocating for her parents in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes and with insurance companies, Kate realized there was a huge need for an attorney who goes beyond the drafting of legal documents and aggressively advocates for her clients to get the best medical care and to be treated with dignity and compassion.. Services include Guardianship, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney forms, Senior Advocacy, Guardianship, benefit programs and Medicaid Planning, help negotiating senior living and nursing home contracts, Probate, and working with families to make hard decisions regarding health, assets and the independence of loved ones.

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney who advocates for his clients in all divorce and family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded the Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C. in early 2009 after working for many years at another family law firm in Chicago. Through his hard work and unwavering dedication to his clients, Jonathan has quickly grown the firm to become one of the premier divorce and family law firms in the Chicagoland area.. Jonathan has a great deal of experience in obtaining favorable outcomes for his clients in multi-million dollar marital estates and contested custody suits (custody is now known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in the State of Illinois). His ability to settle heated divorces and custody disputes has gained him a great deal of respect from fellow attorneys and judges within the Chicagoland legal community. When settlement is not a viable or reasonable option, Jonathan’s experience as a zealous litigator in the courtroom has produced outstanding results for his clients.. Always committed to his clients and their causes, Jonathan’s philosophy is to build strong, trusting relationships with his clients, founded on compassion, sound legal strategy, and open and frequent communication. Known as a skillful and aggressive negotiator with strong tenacity, Jonathan has an impressive track record of protecting his clients’ best interests and helping them meet their legal goals.. EDUCATION. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1999, Jonathan received a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2002.. AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS. Jonathan has received numerous awards and achievements as a result of his success.  Jonathan has been consistently named as to the Illinois Super Lawyers® lists since 2012. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.. Since 2015, Jonathan has been annually selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Family Law. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey.In all years since 2015, Jonathan has received the prestigious honor of being selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois by the Leading Lawyers Network; an award bestowed upon less than 5% of all lawyers licensed in each state.. Jonathan has also been honored by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys annually since 2016, being named as one of the 10 Best Lawyers in Illinois based on Client Satisfaction. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state.. Commencing in 2017 and in each year thereafter, Jonathan has received the Nation’s Top One Percent designation by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel; an award received exclusively by the top 1% of attorneys in the United States.. Jonathan has also provided his legal skill to prominent national media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and NBC’s Today Show.. MEMBERSHIPS. Jonathan is a member of the American Bar Association, American Bar Association Family Law Committee, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, North Suburban Bar Association, and Lake County Bar Association.

John Kay has been practicing law in Illinois for more than 20 years. Since 2001, he has focused his practice on complex family law.  John began practicing family law exclusively as he enjoyed the opportunity to help clients achieve a positive outcome during what can be an extremely difficult time in their lives.. John is known as a powerful litigator and tireless advocate for the interests of his clients.  John has not only earned the respect of clients but that of opposing counsels, and Judges throughout the Chicagoland area. John handles cases for his family law clients in the Chicagoland area that range from complex financial issues and extensive martial estates, to high conflict custody matters. Proficient at negotiating settlement agreements as well as aggressively pursuing litigated outcomes, John also handles straightforward family law cases, post judgment cases, and pre- and post- nuptial agreements.. John uniquely understands the importance of providing clients with compassionate service while handing each case with strong leadership and integrity.  John states, ‘I practice family law because I am dedicated to assisting each client through a turbulent time in their life by providing reliable legal advice and guidance. I recognize that each client’s case must be treated differently and I tailor my approach to those specific needs, taking great care in handling every aspect of the case.’ John prides himself on the positive relationship that he maintains with clients. ‘One of the biggest complaints that I hear from clients is how they are unable to speak with their lawyer and that their lawyer never returns a call. I pride myself in keeping an open line of communication with all clients and that is something we stress at HRK.’. John works to provide clients with positive forward momentum and direction recognizing that he is helping clients to shape a new direction in their lives. ‘Every client needs to find a way to move forward in life once their divorce case is concluded. Clients rely on my skills and experience to help them achieve a hopeful and positive future. I devote considerable energy to making sure each of my clients receives superior legal advice and representation at all times.’. John grew up in the suburbs of Chicago where he continues to reside today with his wife, who is a prominent psychologist in the Northwest suburbs, and two daughters.  He received his undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School.

Jennifer M. Cohen is a partner at Kalcheim Haber, LLC, having started her career as a law clerk for the founding partner, Michael A. Haber, in 2004. Ms. Cohen emphasizes her practice in the area of family law, including pre-nuptial agreements, pre and post-dissolution of marriage cases, allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, paternity matters, adoption proceedings and appeals. In addition to her concentration in family law matters, Ms. Cohen also represents individuals and business entities in real estate transactions, probate and estate transactions, corporate and other business transactions and civil litigation. Her well-rounded practice allows her the ability to offer her clients the highest level of versatility and professionalism. Though an experienced and skilled litigator, she can develop innovative solutions to amicably settle cases outside of the courtroom.. Ms. Cohen is a certified mediator and court-approved child representative and guardian ad litem. She has been selected by her peers for inclusion in the Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers list by Leading Lawyers.. Ms. Cohen Jennifer is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Jennifer is the owner and managing attorney at the Law Office of Jennifer Guimond-Quigley, currently in its tenth year of operation. She realized early on in law school that she had a passion for both family law and estate planning. After gaining experience in these two areas both during and after law school through several small firm positions, Jennifer decided to start her own firm. With her solo practice, Jennifer loves having the freedom to collaborate with her clients to achieve the best results possible without the constraints common to practicing with larger firms.. Jennifer has an extensive background in business and accounting, which has been invaluable in her legal practice. She spent years working as an accountant, and that experience has been imperative in counseling her clients about the financial and tax impact of their decisions and agreements. Jennifer’s comfort level with numbers allows her to easily explain their complexities in a relatable way to her clientele.. Jennifer resides in Chicago with her husband and children. When she’s not practicing law, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking and donating her time to various charitable organizations.

James C. Nieland has practiced law in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska, accomplishing extensive legal successes in the areas of family law and business litigation. Mr. Nieland has successfully represented clients in extremely complex and sophisticated family law matters, including divorce and child custody, throughout his legal career. He has a winning track record representing parties in dissolution of marriage actions where the correct identification and distribution of marital property was at risk, and in defending fathers being prosecuted in support enforcement actions by state authorities. His tenacious representation of clients at the appellate level on issues involving custody modification to permit out-of-state removal, and termination of parental rights, has made him greatly respected by his peers. While practicing law in Nebraska, courts there appointed Mr. Nieland as an attorney and guardian ad litem in many life-altering cases involving child abuse and neglect, given his passion for safeguarding children.. Notably, while practicing in his native Iowa, Mr. Nieland prepared a persuasive and successful pre-trial brief in a highly complex case resulting in his client being awarded a $10 million verdict that the Iowa Supreme Court sustained on appeal.Additionally, Mr. Nieland is dedicated to volunteer service beyond the legal profession, by serving on the board of directors of a local Nebraska chapter of the American Red Cross. There, he oversaw relief efforts to assist individuals, families and businesses in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa devastated by extensive flooding of the Missouri River in 2011.. Mr. Nieland obtained his Juris Doctor from the College of Law at the University of Iowa and served as a distinguished editor of its international law journal, Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems. Before his appointment as editor, Mr. Nieland published Executive Suspension of National Elections: Sacrificing an American Dream to Avoid a Spanish Nightmare?, 15 Transnat’l L. & Contemp. Probs. 389 (Fall 2005). He further served as a student member of the College of Law’s Academic Standard of Review Committee.Prior to law school, Mr. Nieland obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College, where he majored in English and Spanish

I practice exclusively in family law with experience representing clients across Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, Kane, and McHenry counties in Illinois.  I provide counsel to clients in a wide range of matters, including the negotiation and litigation of complex financial disputes, business interests, property valuation and division, maintenance (spousal support), child support, custody and parenting plans, and parentage issues.  In addition, I represent clients in the preparation of prenuptial agreements, in post-divorce issues such as enforcement and modifications of Judgments, and in civil litigation related to orders of protection and domestic violence.. I am first and foremost a planner and problem solver.   Those skills allow me to effectively resolve issues outside of court while maximizing my clients’ control over the outcome and divorce process.  Whether through litigation, attorney assisted mediation, or settlement negotiations, I approach cases from multiple angles and lenses and then tailor an individualized strategy for each client.

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I was born on the Southside of Chicago, and raised in Bolingbrook, Il. My family was raised me to understand the importance of community involvement and education. I have used my educational and professional experience to provide services to those in need of legal help.  While interning in law school, I found a passion for advocating for families.  I enjoy helping families solve their issues regarding divorce, custody (parental responsibilities), child support, maintenance (alimony), just to name a few.  My goal is to bridge the gap between the law and the community.

I was born in Wisconsin and have lived in Chicago since the 1970s.. I graduated the University of Wisconsin and then I worked in the area of child abuse for eight years for the department of Children and Family Services before I decided to go to law school.. I worked as an attorney for the Legal Aid bureau in Chicago, doing divorce and providing services for an underserviced population from 1990 to 1995.. In 1995, Marta and I decided to open up our own practice. Since that time, Marta and I have had the practice. We now have an office at 161 N. Clark, #4700 in Chicago and an office at 1000 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois.. I am also certified as a Mediator and am on the Mediator List for Judges to refer cases to.

I started working in the Domestic Relations Division in 2009 as a law clerk and have always been drawn to the area of family law. I became licensed to practice law in May of 2016 and have an hourly rate of $225/hour. I am bringing my years of experience in the Domestic Relations Division into my practice. It is my longstanding foundation in the area of family law that allows me to compete by offering more experience than other newly licensed attorneys who charge similar rates. I did spend 2015 away from Family Law and worked as a 711 licensed law clerk for the States Attorney's office where I gained trial experience helping to prosecute misdemeanor criminal charges (DUI) in traffic.. I offer free consultations both over the phone and in my office. A consultation can help with general questions or assessing the need for an attorney at all. Should I not be available to speak, I always make a point to promptly return a phone call.

I practice in all aspects of family and matrimonial law, including litigation, mediation, and child custody related issues.. I earned my Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and graduated with honors from Michigan State University.  I am licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.. While in law school , I interned for two Wayne County Circuit Court judges in Detroit, Michigan.   I was also highly active in my law school and community, and received a Service Award.. Prior to practicing family (domestic relations) law, I was a litigator at a Chicago-based international law firm where my practice focused on commercial, trade secret and securities litigation, as well as internal investigations on behalf  of public companies.. I am currently involved in several professional and community organizations, including The Big Shoulders Fund, where I serves on the auxiliary board and as a mentor.  I have also tutored youth in the Chicago community through the WITS (Working in the Schools) program and have taught law in high schools through the Street Law program.

I practice exclusively to the area of family law, representing individuals in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution. I have significant experience handling complex financial divorce cases including sophisticated family estate plans, valuation issues, and forensic tracing. I also have experience in handling high conflict contested custody, visitation, and relocation cases in both state and federal court. I have prosecuted and defended matters involving international kidnapping and wrongful retention cases brought under the Hague Convention as well as interstate child custody litigation under the UCCJEA. I am licensed to practice in Illinois and Texas and in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois and Southern District of Texas. I am fluent in Spanish and therefore able to assist Spanish-speaking clients in navigating the judicial process.I have been selected as an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2012 and 2013 and Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2017. I am a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association (Family Law Section), DuPage County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section), Houston Bar Association, American Bar Association (Family Law and International Law Sections), and the Hispanic National Bar Association

I love baseball, boxers and bankruptcy.  And not necessarily in that order.  I fell into the practice of bankruptcy law years and years ago, and it has been a perfect match for me.  I love getting rid of debts, and helping folks get back on track with their financial lives.  It gives me great pleasure to wipe out credit card debts and even the IRS debts.  I fell into the perfect job for me.. After years and years of Cub fan futilism, I made the switch to the White Sox.  In time for the 2005 World Series, so that was great.  Now i feel the Cubs calling me back, and am feeling White Sox futilism.....it may be too late for me to switch back.  We will see.  But I love baseball and am a huge fan.  Period.. Boxers too.  I love my Boxer male, but he passed away about two years ago. I want him back.  That's futile too.  I miss taking him to work with me.  I think i am almost ready for another. Hopefully soon.

I limit my practice exclusively to family law, including pre-decree and post-decree matters regarding divorce, legal separation, paternity, domestic violence and orders of protection, property division, child support, maintenance, allocation of parenting time, allocation of parental responsibilities, allocation of college expenses, relocation, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements.I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Political Science and Gender and Women's Studies, where I received the University Fellowship, Dean's Scholar Award, and Provost's Award for Graduate Research.  I earned my J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law with a focus on Family Law, where I received CALI awards for the highest grade in Intensive Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing IV, and Mediation.