My law office has a focused family law practice and represents clients throughout the North Suburban Chicago area, including the counties of Cook, McHenry, and Lake. We represent and advise clients in the areas of divorce, adoptions, paternity, alimony, child support, child custody, visitation, civil juvenile matters, and domestic violence.

My associate, Lindsay Coleman, and I are certified family mediators, and I am also a family law court approved mediator. Judges have the power to appoint mediators in custody and visitation cases, and the individual parties are also free to pursue mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation. Mediation allows clients the opportunity to resolve their disputes in a less adversarial process where solutions are negotiated and agreed upon, rather then imposed or ordered by a judge. Mediation within family law can lead to solutions that are acceptable to both parties, while preserving relationships and avoiding the time, stress, and expense of trial.

My firm offers both litigation and mediation services to clients. While mediation can be an effective means of alternative dispute resolution for some individuals, it may not be appropriate or practical for every client or every dispute. If mediation is unavailable or unsuccessful, my firm can represent clients in family law issues that can involve the most complex custody and divorce cases.

As a student and scholar of the law, I frequently lecture on family law matters and attend numerous seminars and conferences each year held by local, state, and national bar associates. I have testified before the Illinois legislature on behalf of the Illinois State Bar Association on various family law related matters. Due to my expertise and experience, I am often sought out by other attorneys for answers to difficult or unique family law questions.

As an experienced trial attorney and a dedicated and effective advocate, I have earned the respect of both judges and attorneys. I am frequently appointed by judges in Lake County to represent children in contested and difficult child custody cases, and I protect the rights of children as an appointed guardian ad litem in adoption proceedings. I have also been asked by judges to help write local court rules dealing with various administrative matters relating to the family law practice in Lake County, Illinois.

A large percentage of new clients are referred to us by other attorneys. While we greatly appreciate the referrals we receive from satisfied clients and attorneys, the best referrals are those from opposing parties or their attorneys. We consider these referrals to be the highest compliment to the level of service and representation that we provide to our clients.