Partner
Location: Libertyville, Illinois
Phone:
Fax:
Email: Email Me
Mr. Strauss joined the Law Office of Gary L. Schlesinger in March, 2006, and he became a partner on September 1, 2010, when Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, was formed. Michael has practiced only family law since being admitted to the Illinois Bar. He has handled family law cases in seven counties in the state of Illinois. Michael also serves as a mediator and as a Child Representative or Guardian Ad Litem.
Michael has presented multiple times at the Lake County Family Law annual conference as well as to speak each year at the annual Illinois College of Law Student/Alumni conference on issues of family law and small law firm practice. Michael is one of the co-editors of the Lake County legal publication, The Docket. Michael has also been elected to the Illinois State Bar Association Assembly and was appointed by the Illinois State Bar Association present to the Child Law Section Counsel. He was named a Rising Star in the area of Family Law by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2014 and 2015, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of all Illinois attorneys under 40. Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer Magazine recognized Michael as one of the most talented up and coming young lawyers in Illinois, with his selection to the 40 Under Forty 2014 list. Michael is one of only two attorneys selected in Lake County, IL by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin 40 Under Forty.
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Separation
- Premarital Agreements
- Paternity
- Custody & Support
- Juvenile Cases
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2004
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2005
Education
- University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, IllinoisJ.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence – 2004
- University of Illinois, Champaign, ILB.S., Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Family Studies -
Honors and Awards
- Selected to to the 40 Under Forty 2014 list by the Chicago Law Bulletin Publishing Company
- Selected to Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2014 and 2015
- Recipient, F. Dennis Franz f/k/a Russell Bundeson Award presented by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and given to the top law student dedicated to the field of Family Law, 2004
- Dean’s List, 2003
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Lake County Bar Association, Member, 2006 – Present
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, 2004 – Present
- Kane County Bar Association, Member, 2004 – Present
- University of Illinois College of Law Alumni Association, Member, 2004 – Present
Past Employment Positions
- Shaw, Jacobs & Associates, P.C, Associate, 2004 – 2006
Fraternities/Sororities
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Zeta Beta Tau
