Our skills and experience will get the best result possible for you.
Leon Finkel is known for making sure clients understand their rights so they can make informed decisions for their future.
Approach
Leon works with a range of individuals to find resolutions to their family law matters.
He is renowned in Chicago and throughout Illinois for his deep understanding of the issues business owners in professional services, healthcare, and other industries face regarding their rights, assets, and valuation issues. His insights equally benefit the spouses of the business owners he represents. Leon is a frequent lecturer at both law and accounting firms on protecting business interests.
He believes all individuals and families deserve excellent service during life’s transitions. By incorporating a team approach, he also provides efficient and cost-effective representation to those of more moderate means.
In March 2017, Leon led a Berger Schatz team to a significant victory before the Illinois Supreme Court, obtaining a ruling that clarified the legal standard for attorney fee awards in matrimonial cases (In re the Former Marriage of Heroy, March 23, 2016).
He has successfully represented clients in a number of notable appeals, including In re the Marriage of Newton (Illinois 1st Dist., 2011), regarding disqualification of attorneys because of a conflict of interest; In re the Marriage of Heroy (Illinois 1st Dist., 2008), the highest maintenance award ever to be affirmed on appeal in Illinois at that time; and In re the Matter of Visitation with C.B.L. (Illinois 1st Dist., 2000), at the time the leading case in Illinois on visitation rights for same-sex partners.
Leon served as the firm’s Managing Partner from 2012 to 2020.
Reputation
Leon is well respected by judges and his peers, evidenced by his list of recognitions. Over the course of his career, he has received every possible designation and honor available to a divorce lawyer in Illinois.
A frequently published author and speaker, Leon shares insights on numerous topics, including termination of maintenance upon cohabitation, depositions, motions, business assets, and child support orders, among others.
Professional Recognition
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Hon. Edward R. Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award, 2024
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent®
- The Best Lawyers in America® for the practice of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration, 2014 – Present
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2006 – Present
- Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois
- Leading Lawyers Network, 2003 – Present
- Top 100 Attorneys in Illinois
Publications & Presentations
- Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce: Defining & Understanding Income – panelist, IICLE, January 2021
- Divorce Planning Is Critical for Your Business-Owner Clients – Stout, March 2019
- Dating, Maintenance, and Miller – Illinois Bar Journal, April 2016
Contact
lfinkel@bergerschatz.comdownload vCard
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
Recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award for Family Law
Northern Illinois University, B.S., magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Professional Leadership
American Bar Association, Member Illinois Bar Association, Member
- Family Law Section, Member
- Current Member and Former Board Member