Top Best Family Lawyers | 17791 Available

BARRY BOYKIN. Staff Attorney. Austin Office. In 1981, while in law school, Barry Boykin read about the work of legal aid attorneys in a book called "The Reluctant Defender" that described the founding of the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic.  Barry went on to meet Michael Mosher and Dan Van Ness, the founding attorneys of Austin Christian Law Center (ACLC).. At that time, ACLC was the only agency located west of Kedzie Avenue in Chicago that is providing legal assistance to the indigent at minimal or no cost.  ACLC developed a volunteer panel of over ninety attorneys and paralegals whose pro bono efforts helped keep costs to a minimum.  Being housed in the same building with Circle Urban Ministries it became possible to serve many of the non-legal needs of clients, such as medical counseling, emergency food/clothing/shelter and supplemental education.. In 1986, as a new lawyer, after a year or so of accepting volunteer cases, Barry applied for a position of staff attorney at ACLC at the suggestion of Gerald P. Nordgren, the supervising attorney at ACLC.  He had the privilege of working under the mentorship of Jim Godlewski and Gail Sears Petrich during those early years.  For the next sixteen years, Barry has handled a wide range of cases including social security disability, criminal, juvenile, landlord tenant, domestic relations, and consumer matters.  He is today still involved in the Austin community and serves on the board of Circle Urban Ministries--the largest nonprofit social service agency in Austin.. In 1996-1997, ACLC merged with Chicago Legal Clinic.  This has resulted in an active, important extension of the services that were provided to individuals seeking legal assistance by both agencies and has broadened the efforts to further help meet the vast unmet legal need.

Tracy M. Rizzo is an experienced divorce attorney who has been exclusively practicing in the area of family law for over 20 years.  For more information, please visit

Aubrey has dedicated her career exclusively to the practice of family law, focusing on restructuring issues for all families, such as divorce, dissolution of Civil Union, parentage, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, adoption, surrogacy contracts and negotiations, sperm donor contracts, and LGBTQ specific family issues.. When utilizing Aubrey’s services, families are not dissolved; they are restructured, often for the better.. While Aubrey has handled numerous litigious matters and been involved in highly contested/high profile trials, when litigation can be avoided, her approach to matters includes mediation, arbitration, and/or formal Collaborative practice to settle cases efficiently and cost-effectively, while focusing on the unique goals and concerns of her clients and preserving the relationship between parties to the greatest extent possible.. Aubrey believes educating clients about their rights and legal challenges is one of the most effective strategies in helping clients tailor their goals and concerns, and she takes the time necessary to ensure every client understands their options and is provided with an array of creative solutions. Aubrey is also able to provide a unique perspective on child-related issues as she has accepted numerous judicial appointments to represent children in domestic relations matters as a Guardian Ad Litem and Child Representative in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.. Aubrey’s ability to render results has been recognized time and time again. Specifically, Aubrey has been recognized as 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 the age of 40, and has been named an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers Magazine, a designation given to fewer than 2% of the attorneys in Illinois.. Aubrey completed the Divorce Mediation Skills Training program at Northwestern University, is a Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, and a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, with honors, where she continues to enjoy teaching law students as a professor of legal writing.

George Sarolas started his law firm with the purpose of providing quality legal representation to the community he serves with the highest ethical standards in mind. Although attorney Sarolas concentrates his practice to Family Law and Divorce related cases, he has extensive experience in other legal matters as well. In addition to being admitted in representing clients in the state of Illinois trial courts, he has been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Named an Illinois Rising Star in 2015 and each subsequent year by Super Lawyers, Daniel Kessler brings deep sensitivity and commitment to his representation of family law clients.. In every case, whether it involves complex business valuations and forensic accounting or sophisticated medical and mental health concerns, Dan focuses on the fundamental human aspects of law, excelling as both a counselor and an advocate. His talent for identifying critical issues, articulating the law’s application to particular facts, and arguing for desired outcomes, notwithstanding ambiguities and divisions within the law, have helped secure the best possible results for his clients, whether by settlement or trial.. Dan places emphasis on his clients’ economic well-being and the welfare of their children. His proficiency in forecasting potential future conflicts and drafting binding legal documents with precision have helped his clients to avert such conflicts, altogether, and to prevail when such conflicts cannot be averted.. Prior to pursuing his career in family law, Dan worked over the course of ten years with troubled teens and their families, gaining extensive direct service experience in the areas of assessment, case management, and treatment.. Entering homes and schools, he supported successful placements of youth through advocacy and accountability and addressed challenges related to poverty, criminal gang activity, mental illness, substance abuse, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.. During his studies at Northwestern University of Law, Dan assisted in the legal representation of juveniles and adults in Northwestern’s Bluhm Legal Clinic and in the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Dan joined Dussias Law Group (now, Dussias Wittenberg Koenigsberger LLP) in 2013 after exclusively having practiced family law with Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP. He also completed a judicial externship with the Honorable Ann Claire Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sharon was admitted to practice law in 2015, after receiving her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her Juris Doctor degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, earning a Certificate in Child and Family Law. Sharon understands and cares about the you in the process as well as your outcome, not just the end of the game. Having lived in Illinois her entire life and being raised by a social worker and an accountant, a career in family law came naturally. A child of divorce herself, she is familiar with the impact of divorce and its attendant issues on a family, both short-term and long-term. Sharon focuses her advocacy on conflict resolution and puts you first every step of the way. She brings to the table a unique background in child welfare law, school law, and matrimonial law, before she zeroed in on the parenting concerns and financial complexities associated with divorce and parentage cases.. Sharon is an award-winning attorney in family law, having been named an Emerging Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, as well as a Rising Star by Thomas Reuters Super Lawyers for consecutive years. As a practicing attorney, Sharon also serves as guardian ad litem in probate and domestic relations proceedings, and she is a certified family law mediator. Sharon is currently accepting domestic relations cases in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Cook Counties and limited guardianship cases in DuPage County.

Compassionate, Experienced, Knowledgeable and Effective.