№ CHICIL
John Conniff
Family Law
- City
- Chicago
Register → Practice Areas
Family Law
Counsel
7+
Avg. experience
14 yrs
Free consultations
68%
Sub-practices
8+
§ Editorial
What to look for in a family law attorney.
— The Counsel editors
Legal matters involving family relationships including divorce, custody, and adoption.
Finding the right family law attorney requires careful consideration of experience, communication style, and fee structure. The attorneys listed here represent a broad cross-section of practitioners serving clients in this area of law.
“Contested divorces are expensive — financially and emotionally. Many cases that begin in opposition end in negotiated settlement once both sides understand the realistic legal outcomes. An attorney who is quick to inflame conflict is rarely in your best financial interest. Look for someone who can articulate your rights clearly, negotiate firmly, and reserve litigation for when it is truly necessary.”
§ What to look for
- 01Experience with collaborative divorce and mediation — not just litigation
- 02Specific knowledge of your state's custody and property division statutes
- 03A realistic, measured communication style — not one who inflames conflict
- 04Child advocacy focus when children are involved
- 05Familiarity with business valuation and complex asset cases if applicable
- 06Fee transparency and willingness to discuss cost containment strategies
§ Questions to ask at your consultation
- ›What is the realistic range of outcomes in my custody situation?
- ›How does your state handle the marital home when only one spouse wants to stay?
- ›Can we resolve this through mediation or collaborative law rather than litigation?
- ›How do you handle communication with my spouse's attorney?
- ›What are your billing practices, and how can we manage costs?
- ›At what point would you advise going to court versus settling?
§ 01 — Sub-practices
Within family law.
The matters most often brought to counsel.
§ 02
Counsel in family law.
A selection of attorneys in this practice area.
№ TERRIL
Dominick Dolci
DUI/DWICriminal DefenseFamily Law
- City
- Oakbrook Terrace
№ CHICIL
Andrew Weisberg
Criminal DefenseFamily Law
- City
- Chicago
№ GROVIL
Paul Lytle
Criminal DefenseFamily Law
- City
- Downers Grove
№ CHICIL
Dean Taradash
Family Law
- City
- Chicago
№ SPRIIL
William Vig
White Collar CrimeDrug CrimesDUI/DWI
- City
- Springfield
§ 03 — Legal News
Recent coverage in family law.
Newsroom and court coverage curated for this practice area.
WLOSOct 7, 2026
01
North Carolina bill would cut divorce separation period in half
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_AFBVV95cUxQSTUxVklESEt0NGpBY25pUzNJQUFQZ2ZQVmZKZVNNQU5TOXJ1MDdzYkNlTVlmMWNzRmlYdXgxdWwtTFl6Wmk4Z3FrWVJDd2E2MHgtUDMzdEhidzlrdFo4WWRKTklpTHhUdmE2ajd1RGdNNXhoUWkxREdkbE1YRkx0UTRrYzg0SWFWcjFqTHV1N2J1SXR1Mm9BOGhQWFNqR0tadWxrbXRHS3lCVVMzYVFxUTZQSTQ1Q1Q
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BlueRidgeNow.comSep 28, 2026
02
NC divorces require a 1 year separation. A new bill could change that
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxPRkgxUWFYWE1uMzFEZzJWSC0weVprMDFTX0xTXzJ0UGZGY3BoSnhRTjVHTWdrWnVSWm5vNW5XbHJDYmlnOW5DUkt5ZHVpYkhyc3NGajhYTGw1S19yTWxSb0s0X0tTcV9rdXBVSkprUzVDLXpjWURJcFlMUklUQjlkdUw2eG9iVFdxNUpTa01GZmNyenYtY0hCTWNTV1lpR00yQ0dCLTJPZnJlWDBFVU14Z1A5QnBwZ2c
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The Asheville Citizen TimesSep 28, 2026
03
NC divorces require a 1 year separation. A new bill could change that
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxQZ0lJU0dkRGtRSmEyQjlaTzJ0bnd6a0g3aGhzR292ZDIzQVhLa0YzQ2NpOGU0NlB0ZjY3X1FZY2EtUS1laUVKazd5SFRNX3V6SEFFRjBkbFF0NnlhN25sZ0FnWjloYzFZVlp4ZjIzWmtiQmlBd2dNaWJOelBCSm9ma18yR0ZiWmxWa1haczJrYmpjYkpUVjdvV3RHZmlaZENibWFDd3BVVjRqUTNhb183ZS1RZEZIXzV
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Raleigh News & ObserverSep 22, 2026
04
Social media star Jen Hamilton wants to change NC divorce laws. What to know
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibkFVX3lxTE5KTHFwdG5iRHoybDlhTzVyd0ZpRktEcFBmRlc1V2FrbmZzeE9LdWNHRVc0d25rRzFSSG52dzVXRzg2UUtVeGZ5WEc4Rk42YzhYSFZDdkZpdVNVN2pkbTBEOUhtdTl0aUREUXdNVElB0gFuQVVfeXFMTVVzNTdWX0RIWXp1OUxzNFgyMlVLLXd0MEo4LXNoMlF4M3BzVGE2S0I1NXRVWnJtelNlOFFPcktSTjdQb3RsaFh
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ABC11 NewsSep 22, 2026
05
North Carolina lawmaker pushes divorce law changes: 'Antiquated'
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxNbk96ek1YVUtYN3RPUTlwZFFBS1hFOHpERFpQMGpuTXZzMTVtMFB2TTlhb0IzT1ZVbXFHS3NtWUhfVDk0ZFBmSnF0X0Fhd2Vrazc5LVhXQ0htY0dpSnRoSGVfVVY0UjVNV0hya2w3ZXFpdDRpN2JtWTI2OVUzb2QxVHhYS3Nzejdua2FtVzNwZUFaekJrLWdycXJR0gGfAUFVX3lxTE13cEZVY3dfTWRfbEhpeTZFZmx
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FOX8 WGHPSep 4, 2026
06
North Carolina lawyer suspended over sexual messages to opposing party in custody case
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2gFBVV95cUxNQnQ5d2FTX3EwbkhLMHpsZGFFNEVLUzMycW8zRHhEOFY5cjZGeklFWXFXSk5mUlBFaTd2TFgzdG9hd0lYb0h6bEtyNDNqNUlaRG9iaU9aWXM5dnl1S0tiTFRFOERyNnlJMWZXeXFQNGd2S1laZ3d5NzVOYVJmcTlDdWF0WmFJWms1d0RSaW9mdUFkdTZtdmk1Y0JzSkJXd0lDdDdHMGRVY0JOdnlSajNiLVNYTndLMkZ
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