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Chapter 1 — Practical and Ethical Considerations -
I. Introduction - II. Interviewing the Client
- Method
- [1.5] Schedule Appointment
- [1.6] Interview Checklist of Lawyer
- [1.7] Checklist for Lawyer’s Evaluation
- [1.8] Advice to Client
- [1.9] In General
- [1.10] Custody and Visitation Rights; Removing Child from Illinois
- [1.11] Support and Maintenance
- [1.12] Temporary Maintenance and Attorneys’ Fees
- [1.13] Permanent Maintenance
- III. [1.14] Discharge and Substitution of Attorneys
- IV. Representation of Both Sides
- V. [1.22] Practical Considerations Regarding Agreements — Factors in Negotiation
- VI. Attorney’s Duties After Judgment
- [1.26] Judgment — Recording and Service
- Advice and Assistance to Client
- [1.27] Eligibility To Remarry
- [1.28] Client’s Will After Judgment for Dissolution or Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage
- [1.29] Income Tax Return After Judgment
- [1.30] Enforcement of Judgment for Dissolution
- [1.31] Police Protection if Client Fears Violence
- VII. [1.32] Steps To Avoid in Domestic Relations Cases
- VIII. [1.33] Bounds of Advocacy — Standards of Conduct
- Chapter 2 — Attorneys’ Fees
- I. Attorney-Client Relationship
- Forming Relationship
- [2.1] Engagement Agreements
- [2.2] Maintaining Time Records
- [2.3] Who Should Maintain Time Records
- [2.4] Details of Writing Time Records
- [2.5] Specificity of time records
- [2.6] Explicit description of conferences
- [2.7] Scrutiny of “revising documents”
- [2.8] Scrutiny of “reviewing documents”
- [2.9] Fees pertaining to cocounsel or substitute counsel
- [2.10] Routine and administrative matters
- [2.11] Duplicative time
- [2.12] Contemporaneous Time Records
- [2.13] Respecting Fiduciary Duty to Client
- [2.14] Burden of Proof as to Financial Matters
- [2.15] Consequences of Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- [2.16] Obtaining Security for Fees
- Termination of Relationship
- [2.17] Client’s Right To Discharge Attorney
- [2.18] Attorney’s Right To Withdraw from Case
- II. Trial Court’s Jurisdiction To Award Fees
- Expiration and Termination of Trial Court’s Jurisdiction
- [2.19] Normal Expiration of Jurisdiction
- [2.20] Deadline for Filing Petition for Award of Fees from Client
- [2.21] Deadline for Filing Petition for Contribution from Client’s Spouse
- Exceptions to Normal Expiration of Jurisdiction
- [2.22] Trial court may retain its jurisdiction by “reserving jurisdiction”
- [2.23] Trial court may regain its jurisdiction if party waives right to object to court’s jurisdiction
- [2.24] Trial court retains jurisdiction to award interim fees for appeal if notice of appeal is filed
- Termination of Jurisdiction by Acts of Parties
- [2.25] Dismissal
- [2.26] Voluntary Dismissal
- [2.27] Death of Party
- [2.28] Remarriage
- [2.29] Waiver
- [2.30] Limited Reacquisition of Jurisdiction After Appeal
- III. [2.31] Seeking §508(b) Sanctions Against Client’s Spouse for Violation of Court Order
- IV. [2.38] Seeking Interim or Final Award of Contribution in Dissolution Case
- [2.39] In General
- [2.40] Who Has Standing
- [2.41] Time for Filing Petition for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
- [2.42] Petition for Interim Fees and Costs During Dissolution Proceedings
- [2.43] Summary of §501(c-1)
- [2.44] For Prospective Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
- For Incurred Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
- [2.45] In General
- [2.46] For Attorneys Who Have Withdrawn or Been Discharged
- [2.47] Components of Petition for Interim Fees and Costs
- [2.48] Responsive Pleadings
- [2.49] Hearing on Petition for Interim Fees and Costs
- [2.50] Decision by Court
- [2.51] Effect of Interim Fee Award
- Petition for Final Fees and Costs in Dissolution Proceedings
- [2.52] Court’s Authority To Award Fees and Costs
- [2.53] Summary of §503(j)
- [2.54] Time for Filing Petition for Fees and Costs
- [2.55] No Existing Agreement Between Parties
- Filing of Required Documents
- [2.56] Written Petition for Fees
- [2.57] Affidavits
- [2.58] Necessary Components of Fee Petition
- [2.59] Allege statutory authority
- [2.60] Establish qualifications of attorneys and expert witnesses
- [2.61] Set forth amount requested
- [2.62] Set forth hourly rates
- [2.63] Itemize services performed and costs incurred
- [2.64] Allege reasonable necessity of services and reasonableness of fees
- [2.65] Allege client’s obligation to pay fees
- [2.66] Allege inability and ability to pay (or failure to comply with court order)
- [2.67] Verify petition
- [2.68] No Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege
- [2.69] Responding Party’s Response and Hearing Request
- Trial on Final Fee Petition
- [2.70] Time for Trial
- [2.71] Possibility of Full Evidentiary Hearing
- [2.72] Order of Proof
- [2.73] Proving Entitlement to Contribution
- [2.74] Proving element of financial justification
- [2.75] Types of evidence that may be used
- Who qualifies for award of contribution
- [2.76] In general
- [2.77] Factors pertaining to petitioning party’s entitlement to contribution
- Income
- [2.78] Current income
- [2.79] Employment (earning capacity)
- [2.80] Age and health
- [2.81] Effect of payment of fees on client’s means of support and economic stability
- [2.82] Prospective income
- [2.83] Parties’ net worth
- [2.84] Either party’s payment of own legal fees
- [2.85] Noneconomic factors courts consider
- Establishing that responding party should be required to pay petitioning party’s fees
- [2.86] In general
- [2.87] Evidentiary considerations
- [2.88] Factors in Determining Amount of Fees To Be Awarded
- [2.89] Time required to perform legal services
- Evidentiary considerations
- [2.90] Burden of proof
- [2.91] Submitting engagement agreement into evidence
- Proving time spent
- [2.92] Detailed time records
- [2.93] Contemporaneous time records
- [2.94] Attorney-client privilege
- [2.95] Refreshing recollection
- [2.96] Best-evidence rule
- [2.97] Questioning by judge
- [2.98] Opinion of attorney
- [2.99] Judge’s knowledge and experience
- [2.100] Reliance on pleadings and affidavits on file
- [2.101] Quality of services provided
- Results obtained or value of services
- [2.102] In general
- [2.103] Evidentiary considerations
- [2.104] Novelty of issues
- [2.105] Importance of subject matter
- [2.106] Difficulty/complexity of issues
- [2.107] Preclusion of attorney’s other employment
- [2.108] Comparison of fees requested with usual and customary charges
- [2.109] Locality
- [2.110] Rates for court time and non-court time
- [2.111] Comparison of fees requested with amount at stake (value of case)
- [2.112] Attorney’s experience, reputation, and ability
- [2.113] Degree of professionalism
- [2.114] Effect on attorney’s welfare and nerves
- [2.115] Other factors
- [2.116] Need for Expert Witness
- [2.117] Reasonableness of fees
- [2.118] Other issues
- [2.119] Choice of expert witness
- [2.120] Disclosure of expert witness
- V. Opposing Petition for Final Award of Contribution in Dissolution Case
- VI. Decision by Court on Petition for Final Award of Contribution in Dissolution Case
- [2.123] Trial Court’s Broad Discretion
- [2.124] Court’s Discretion as to Financial Justification Element
- [2.125] Court’s Discretion as to Amount of Fees
- [2.126] Abuse of Trial Court’s Discretion
- [2.127] Petitioning Party Establishing Inability To Pay Own Fees and Ability of Responding Party To Pay Some or All of Them
- [2.128] Petitioning Party Failing To Establish Inability To Pay Own Fees
- [2.129] Specific Findings Not Required by Trial Court
- Res Judicata
- [2.130] Definition
- [2.131] Application of Doctrine
- [2.132] Collateral Estoppel
- VII. [2.133] Seeking Interim or Final Award of Contribution in Postjudgment Matters
- VIII. [2.139] Seeking Fees from Other Parent in Paternity Cases
- IX. [2.144] Seeking Interim or Final Award of Contribution for Appeals
- For Prospective Fees and Costs
- [2.145] Prospective Fees and Costs To Defend Appeal
- [2.146] Jurisdiction of Trial Court To Make Award
- [2.147] Effect of Cross-Appeal
- Procedure for Obtaining Prospective Fees
- [2.148] Filing of petition
- [2.149] Hearing on petition
- [2.150] Proving factors
- [2.151] Financial justification for award
- [2.152] Proving reasonable necessity of services and reasonableness of fees
- [2.153] Decision by court
- [2.154] Prospective Fees and Costs To Prosecute Appeal
- For Final Fees and Costs After Completion of Appeal
- Final Fees and Costs for Defending Appeal
- [2.155] In General
- [2.156] Proving Factors
- Final Fees and Costs for Prosecuting Appeal
- [2.157] In General
- [2.158] Proving Factors
- X. [2.159] Seeking Award of Fees Against Your Own Client
- [2.160] Consent Judgments Under §508(d)
- [2.161] Petitions for Interim Fees Under §508(a)
- [2.162] Petitions for Final Fees Under §508(c)
- [2.163] Summary of §508(c)
- [2.164] Time for Filing Petition
- [2.165] Procedure for Petitioning Party
- [2.166] Procedure for Responding Party
- [2.167] Hearing and Decision
- [2.168] Burden of Proof
- [2.169] No Collateral Estoppel
- [2.170] Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege
- [2.171] Measure of “Damages”
- [2.172] Filing Independent Lawsuit
- [2.173] Summary of §508(e)
- [2.174] Right of Responding Party To Implead Spouse
- [2.175] Other Considerations
- Actions in Quasi-Contract
- [2.176] Quantum Meruit
- [2.177] Burden of proof in quantum meruit cases
- [2.178] Measure of fees
- [2.179] Account Stated
- XI. Defending Against Petition or Independent Lawsuit Filed by Client
- XII. Appellate Review of Fee Awards
- [2.182] Only Final Orders Appealable
- [2.183] Time To File Appeal
- [2.184] Appellant’s Responsibilities
- [2.185] Abuse of Discretion Standard
- [2.186] What Constitutes Abuse of Discretion
- Examples of Abuse of Discretion
- [2.187] Financial Justification Element
- [2.188] Amount of Fees Awarded
- [2.189] Section 508(b) Petition for Fees Incurred To Enforce Court Order
- [2.190] Waiver of Issues Prior to Appeal
- Chapter 3 — Pleadings Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
- I. Scope of Chapter
- II. Planning the Pleadings
- III. Pre-Pleading Strategy
- [3.10] Strategic Factors
- Fact/Notice Pleading
- [3.11] Degree of Detail
- [3.12] Inconsistent Pleading
- [3.13] Constraints
- [3.14] Type of Action
- Venue
- [3.15] Dissolution
- [3.16] Forum Shopping
- [3.17] Objections to Venue
- [3.18] Separation
- Parties
- [3.19] Traditional Parties
- [3.20] Additional Parties
- [3.21] Competency
- [3.22] Other Party-Related Issues and Death of a Party
- [3.23] Grounds
- Counterpetition
- [3.24] Defendant’s Posture
- [3.25] Plaintiff’s Posture
- Degree of Detail
- [3.26] Grounds
- [3.27] Property
- [3.28] Effect on Admissions
- [3.29] Amending Pleadings
- [3.30] Other Strategy Issues
- [3.31] Language and Style
- [3.32] Form
- [3.33] Careful Reading and Adaptation
- [3.34] Factors Affecting Timing
- [3.35] Residence
- [3.36] Age/Health
- [3.37] Custody
- [3.38] Property
- [3.39] Timing of Petition for Invalidity
- IV. Filing Issues
- V. [3.42] Actual Drafting
- [3.43] Dissolution Action Stay
- [3.44] Praecipe for Summons
- [3.45] Summons
- [3.46] Preparation of the Summons
- [3.47] Service of the Summons
- [3.48] Voluntary Acceptance
- [3.49] Counter Service
- [3.50] Special Process Server
- [3.51] Sheriff’s Service
- [3.52] Publication
- [3.53] Long-Arm Service
- Pleadings for Special Process Server
- [3.54] Legal Basis
- [3.55] Sample Motion for Appointment of Special Process Server
- [3.56] Sample Order Appointing Special Process Server
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- [3.57] Statutory Basis
- Examples of Petitions
- [3.58] Sample Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No-Fault)
- [3.59] Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
- [3.60] Sample Certification and Verification
- [3.61] Discussion of Sample Petition and Alternative Allegations
- [3.62] Caption
- [3.63] Preamble
- [3.64] Individual Allegations
- [3.65] Allegation 1: personal jurisdiction
- Allegations 2 – 4: subject-matter jurisdiction — marriage and grounds
- [3.66] In general
- Specific grounds
- [3.67] Impotence
- [3.68] Bigamy
- [3.69] Adultery
- [3.70] Desertion
- [3.71] Habitual drunkenness
- [3.72] Gross and confirmed habits caused by drug abuse
- [3.73] Attempt on spouse’s life
- [3.74] Extreme and repeated mental cruelty
- [3.75] Extreme and repeated physical cruelty
- [3.76] Conviction of a felony
- [3.77] Infection with a sexually transmitted disease
- [3.78] No-fault “grounds”
- [3.79] Allegations 5 – 6: information about the parties
- [3.80] Allegation 7: information about the children
- [3.81] Allegation 8: custody
- [3.82] Allegation 9: marital property
- [3.83] Filing creates vested property rights
- [3.84] Statutory definition of “marital property”
- [3.85] Alternative marital property allegations
- [3.86] Allegation 10: nonmarital property
- [3.87] Allegation 11: marital debts
- [3.88] Allegation 12: prior arrangements
- Allegations 13 – 14: child support
- [3.89] In general
- [3.90] Alternative child support allegations
- [3.91] Allegations 15 – 16: maintenance
- [3.92] Allegations 17 – 20: attorneys’ fees
- [3.93] Miscellaneous additional allegations
- [3.94] Appointment of an attorney, representative, or guardian ad litem for the children
- [3.95] Partition of real estate
- [3.96] Exclusive possession of the marital residence
- [3.97] Resuming a former name
- [3.98] Grandparents’ visitation
- [3.99] Dissipation
- [3.100] Sample notice for affirmative claim of dissipation
- [3.101] Prayer or Request for Relief
- [3.102] Attorney Identification
- [3.103] Signature and Verification
- [3.104] Documents To File with the Petition
- [3.105] Certificate of Dissolution
- [3.106] Domestic Relations Cover Sheet
- [3.107] Application, Affidavit, and Order To Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person
- [3.108] Additional Documents Related to Petition
- [3.109] Sample Six-Month Affidavit of Separation
- [3.110] Stipulation Waiving Two-Year Separation
- [3.111] Sample Motion Seeking Waiver of Requirement To Disclose Address
- [3.112] Sample Affidavit with Respect to Disclosure of Address
- [3.113] Sample Order Waiving Disclosure of Address
- [3.114] Documents/Pleadings Responsive to Petition
- [3.115] Bill of Particulars
- [3.116] Sample Demand for Bill of Particulars
- [3.117] Sample Bill of Particulars
- [3.118] Legal Basis
- [3.119] Timing
- [3.120] Comparable Relief by Motion
- Response
- [3.121] Sample Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- [3.122] Admissions/Denials
- [3.123] Affirmative Allegations
- [3.124] Request for Relief
- [3.125] Reply
- Appearance
- [3.126] General Appearance
- [3.127] District Transfer Form
- [3.128] Objections to Jurisdiction over the Person
- [3.129] No Appearance
- Counterpetition
- [3.130] Sample Counterpetition for Dissolution of Marriage
- [3.131] Discussion of Counterpetition
- [3.132] Sample Motion for Leave To File Counterpetition
- Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage
- [3.133] Sample Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage
- Discussion of Judgment for Dissolution
- [3.134] In General
- [3.135] Finding 4: Subject-Matter Jurisdiction and Grounds
- [3.136] Finding 7: Maintenance
- [3.137] Finding 8: Child Support
- [3.138] Finding 9: Child Custody
- [3.139] Finding 10: Agreement of the Parties
- [3.140] Finding 11: Not Unconscionable
- [3.141] Relief Granted
- Legal Separation
- [3.142] Sample Petition for Legal Separation
- Discussion of Petition for Legal Separation
- [3.143] In General
- [3.144] Legal Basis
- [3.145] Difference Between Dissolution and Separation
- [3.146] Relief
- [3.147] Response to Legal Separation
- [3.148] Counterpetition to Legal Separation
- [3.149] Sample Judgment for Legal Separation
- [3.150] Discussion of Judgment for Legal Separation
- Chapter 4 — Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage
- I. Introduction
- [4.1] Scope of Chapter
- Distinctions
- [4.2] Between Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage
- Between Prohibited and Voidable Marriages
- [4.3] Prohibited Marriages
- [4.4] Voidable Marriages
- [4.5] Importance of Distinction Between Prohibited (Void) and Voidable Marriages
- [4.6] Choosing Between Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage When Either Is Possible
- [4.7] Income Tax Consequences of Declaration of Invalidity
- [4.8] Legitimacy of Children
- II. Basic Considerations
- [4.9] Jurisdiction, Venue, and Service of Process
- [4.10] Effect of Judgment
- Defenses
- [4.11] Prohibited (Void) Marriages
- [4.12] Voidable Marriages
- [4.13] Nature of Defenses
- [4.14] Denying and Disproving Facts
- [4.15] Ratification, Estoppel, and Laches
- [4.16] In Pari Delicto
- [4.17] Unclean Hands
- [4.18] Rules on Court Hearing
- [4.19] Contested Cases
- [4.20] Uncontested Cases
- [4.21] Burden of Proof
- III. Petition for Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage
- [4.22] In General
- [4.23] Title of Court
- [4.24] Title of Document
- [4.25] Title of Cause and Introduction
- Allegation: Status of Petitioner Who Is Not a Party to Marriage
- [4.26] If Petitioner Is a Minor
- [4.27] If Petitioner Is Incompetent
- [4.28] If Party Who Should Be Petitioner Is Deceased
- Date and Place of Marriage
- [4.29] If Marriage Is Voidable
- [4.30] If Marriage Is Prohibited
- Grounds
- [4.31] Allegation: Consanguinity of the Parties
- [4.32] Allegation: Former Spouse Living (Bigamous Marriage)
- [4.33] Allegation: Under Age of Legal Consent
- [4.34] Allegation: Unsound Mind — Influence of Intoxicant or Narcotic
- [4.35] Allegation: Fraud
- [4.36] Allegation: Force and Duress
- [4.37] Allegation: Physical Incapacity
- [4.38] Allegation: Intoxication
- [4.39] Allegation: Denial of Ratification
- [4.40] Allegation: Children
- [4.41] Allegation: Custody of Children
- [4.42] Allegation: Child Support
- [4.43] Allegation: Marital Property
- [4.44] Allegation: Restoration of Former Name
- Prayer
- [4.45] Introduction
- [4.46] Prayer: Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage
- [4.47] Prayer: Child Custody
- [4.48] Prayer: Child Support
- [4.49] Prayer: Distribution of Marital Property
- [4.50] Prayer: Restoration of Name
- [4.51] Prayer: General Relief
- [4.52] Date, Signature, and Verification
- IV. Judgment
- Chapter 5 — Divorce Against the Absent Spouse
- I. Jurisdiction
- [5.1] In Personam vs. in Rem Jurisdiction
- [5.2] Prerequisites for Jurisdiction To Grant a Judgment
- [5.3] Residency
- [5.4] Grounds
- [5.5] Proper Service of Summons
- [5.6] Personal Service
- [5.7] Constructive/Substituted Service
- [5.8] Service by Special Order of the Court
- [5.9] Service by Publication
- [5.10] Statutory requirements
- [5.11] In rem jurisdiction
- [5.12] Due inquiry
- [5.13] Due Process and the Illinois Long-Arm Statute — Limits on the Exercise of the Courts’ Jurisdiction
- [5.14] Objections to Jurisdiction over the Person
- Effect of Jurisdiction on Various Issues
- [5.15] Obtaining and Modifying Maintenance Awards and Decrees
- [5.16] Property Distribution
- Child Support
- [5.17] In General
- Specific Illinois and Federal Statutes
- Illinois statutes
- [5.18] Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
- [5.19] Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
- [5.20] Other Illinois statutes
- [5.21] Federal statutes
- [5.22] Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act
- [5.23] Other federal statutes
- [5.24] Child Custody
- [5.25] Foreign Country Orders vs. Illinois Orders on Custody
- [5.26] Awards of Attorneys’ Fees
- [5.27] Awards of Educational Expenses
- [5.28] Partition
- II. [5.29] Limitations on the Jurisdiction of the Courts To Proceed
- [5.30] Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act and Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
- [5.31] Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003
- [5.32] Purpose
- [5.33] Definitions
- [5.34] Territorial Application
- [5.35] Special Provisions
- [5.36] Default Judgments
- Stays in Proceedings Involving Service Personnel
- [5.37] In General
- [5.38] Considerations in Granting a Stay
- [5.39] Duration of the Stay
- III. [5.40] Administrative and Legal Proceedings Against Persons in the Armed Forces Pertaining to Support, Maintenance, Paternity, Custody, and Visitation
- [5.41] Army
- Responsibilities
- [5.42] Army Commanders
- [5.43] Army Personnel
- [5.44] Release of Information; Privacy
- [5.45] Family Support Obligations
- [5.46] Support Arrearages
- [5.47] Garnishment
- [5.48] Involuntary Allotments
- [5.49] Custody
- [5.50] Paternity
- [5.51] Basic Allowance for Housing
- [5.52] Medical, Hospital, and Prescription Coverages
- [5.53] Navy and Marines
- Responsibilities
- [5.54] Naval and Marine Commanders
- [5.55] Naval and Marine Personnel
- [5.56] Support Guidelines
- [5.57] Garnishment
- [5.58] Paternity
- [5.59] Basic Allowance for Housing
- [5.60] Air Force
- [5.61] Responsibilities
- [5.62] Garnishment
- [5.63] Allotments
- [5.64] Paternity
- [5.65] Coast Guard
- IV. [5.66] Federal Legislation Relative to Collection of Child Support and Maintenance
- V. [5.73] Services Provided to Private Counsel and Their Clients by the State of Illinois
- Chapter 6 — Discovery
- I. Introduction
- II. Mandatory Disclosure
- III. Interrogatories
- IV. [6.11] Requests for Production of Documents and Other Tangible Things
- V. [6.14] Mental and Physical Examinations of Parties
- VI. Depositions
- VII. Requests for Admission
- VIII. [6.24] Objections to Discovery
- IX. [6.28] Enforcing Discovery Requests and Obtaining Sanctions — Supreme Court Rule 219
- X. Appendix
- Chapter 7 — Client Management and Education
- I. [7.1] Introduction
- II. Initial Client Conference
- III. [7.9] Initial Pleadings
- IV. Discovery and the Client
- V. [7.16] Temporary Hearings
- VI. [7.17] Alternative Dispute Resolution
- VII. [7.18] Custody Evaluations
- VIII. [7.19] Guardian ad Litem/Attorney for the Child/Child’s Representative
- IX. [7.20] Negotiations
- X. Trial
- XI. [7.24] Conclusion
- List of Forms
- Table of Cases
- Index
- David C. Ainley
David C. Ainley
David C. Ainley is a Partner at Katz & Stefani, LLC, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in family law. Ainley is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. He earned his B.S. from Purdue and his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
- Cynthia M. Baruck
Cynthia M. Baruck
Cynthia M. Baruck is an attorney in the Chicago law firm of Stein & Stein, Ltd., which limits its practice to family law matters. Her practice consists primarily of the representation of clients in the trial and appeal of family law and related matters. Ms. Baruck was previously a Partner in the Chicago law firm of Pedersen & Houpt, P.C., and Of Counsel to the firm of Mandel, Lipton, Roseborough and Lifshitz, Ltd. Ms. Baruck is received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
- Samantha Bell Sugarman
Samantha Bell Sugarman
Samantha Bell Sugarman is a Partner at GMR Family Law LLP, in Chicago, where she concentrates her practice on family law. She was Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Domestic Relations Committee (2017 – 2018) and has been named an Illinois Rising Star in the area of family law. She earned her B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. She is also a graduate from the National Family Law Trial Institute.
- A. Lou Benassi
A. Lou Benassi
A. Lou Benassi is Owner of Benassi & Benassi, P.C., in Peoria, where he focuses his practice on family law, personal injury, and workers’ compensation law. Mr. Benassi is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Illinois State and Peoria County Bar Associations. He earned his B.S. with high honors from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of California, Berkley.
- Timothy M. Daw
Timothy M. Daw
Timothy M. Daw is a Senior Partner of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, in Chicago, Lake Forest, and Wheaton, where he concentrates his practice in family law. Mr. Daw is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and has been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America and Leading Lawyers. He earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. with distinction from DePaul University College of Law.
- Herbert A. Glieberman
Herbert A. Glieberman
No bio available.
- Elaine C. Kopf
Elaine C. Kopf
No bio available.
- Katya C. Manak
Katya C. Manak
Katya C. Manak is an attorney in the Chicago law firm of Stein & Stein, Ltd., which limits its practice to family law and related matters. Ms. Manak is a member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations and Chicago Inn of Court. While in law school, Ms. Manak served as a judicial extern in the Cook County Domestic Relations Division. She received her B.A. cum laude from Knox College and her J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
- David P. Pasulka
David P. Pasulka
David P. Pasulka is Principal at Pasulka & Associates, P.C., in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in divorce and family law. He is a member of the Board of Managers of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was elected President Elect of the Academy (2017). He is also Past President of the North Suburban Bar Association, Past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Matrimonial Law Committee, and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Council. He received his B.A. from the University of Chicago (Pullman Scholar, Illinois State Scholar) and his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.
- Karen Pinkert-Lieb
Karen Pinkert-Lieb
Karen Pinkert-Lieb is a Senior Partner with Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, in Chicago, where she focuses on family law. Pinkert-Lieb has been named Family Law Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America, as well as the number one Female Divorce Attorney in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network. She is also named annually in Best Lawyers of America and Illinois Super Lawyers. Pinkert-Lieb earned her B.A. from the University of Texas and her J.D. cum laude from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
- Douglas C. Scovil
Douglas C. Scovil
No bio available.
- Allison A. Stein
Allison A. Stein
Allison A. Stein is a Partner at Griffin McCarthy & Rice LLP, in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on family law. Ms. Stein is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the Lake County Bar Association. She has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in the area of family law. Ms. Stein earned her B.A. from Northwestern University and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
- David M. Stein
David M. Stein
David M. Stein is a Founding Partner in the Chicago law firm of Stein & Stein, Ltd., which limits its practice to family law matters. His practice consists primarily of the representation of clients in the trial and appeal of family law and related matters. Mr. Stein has been named a Leading Lawyer and a Super Lawyer and has lectured on family law topics to organizations including IICLE®, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Board of Vocational Experts on the subject of vocational experts and matrimonial litigation. He is a graduate of Tulane University and DePaul University College of Law.
- Jay D. Stein
Jay D. Stein
Jay D. Stein is a Partner at Bernstein Law Firm, LLC, in Chicago, where he focuses on the representation of clients in the trial and appeal of family law and related matters and in alternative dispute resolution of those matters. Mr. Stein is a Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and has a certificate in Divorce Mediation Training from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. He is a member of the Chicago, DuPage County, and Illinois State Bar Associations. Mr. Stein earned his B.S. from Northwestern University and his J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
Family Law (Illinois): Preliminary Considerations in Dissolution Actions (ARCHIVED 2011 EDITION & 2013 SUPPLEMENT)
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