I have been a sole practitioner for the past eleven years. Before striking out on my own, I was a partner at the law firm of Beermann Swerdlove LLP for nine years, and was a partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, where I practiced for five years.

The major part of my 35 year career has been devoted to negotiating settlements, litigating cases at the trial level, and preparing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.  I have had extensive experience with business, real estate, and retirement plan valuations, as well as with tax matters. In addition, I have handled numerous custody and removal cases involving psychiatric and expert witness testimony.

My Chicago law practice encompasses Cook County, Lake and DuPage counties. 

I am a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was an Adjunct Professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law. I have instructed attorneys in negotiation and mediation for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). I was appointed to the Illinois Bar Association Task Force on Specialization Certification.

A graduate of the University of Illinois and Loyola University School of Law, I obtained my early trial experience as an Assistant State’s Attorney of Cook County in the Felony Trial Division.

I have been a frequent lecturer at seminars given by the Illinois Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and other legal and civic organizations, as well as the author of numerous articles. I was an appointed member of the ISBA Family Law Section Council, and helped draft a new custody statute which is being considered by the Illinois State Legislature.

I have professional and personal experience in adoption matters. My husband and I are proud adoptive parents.

I served as a board member of many agencies providing services to children, including the model chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Practice Areas

Divorce •  Family Law • Matrimonial Law •  Custody • Adoption • Paternity

Admitted:

1975, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; 1998, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

Law School:

Loyola University – Chicago, IL, J.D.

Biography:

Member, Loyola University Law Review, 1974-1975. Elected Member: ISBA Assembly, 1988-2001; 2005?; Board of Directors, Greater Chicago Counsel, National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, 1988-1990. Appointed, ISBA Task Force on Specialization Certification. Appointed Member, ISBA Family Law Section Council, 2000-2003. Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County, Illinois, 1975-1979.

Born: Manhattan, New York, June 26, 1950