Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
6 Client Reviews
$ 375-375 per hour
PRO
Elizabeth Felt Wakeman
also known as Liz
Virtual Consultation Available
About Elizabeth
Biography
Education:
Fremd High School, Palatine, Illinois
University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, BS in Business Administration, Honors
DePaul University College of Law, JD, 1993
Many continuing education courses including:
Certificate in Mediation Training, DePaul University Center for Dispute Resolution, 2005
Collaborative Law Training, 2018
National Business Institute, Brewery and Distillery Law
Probate Guardian Ad Litem training, 2017
Guardian Ad Litem training, 2018
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers annual seminars
Illinois Association of Defense Lawyers Annual Defense Tactics
E-Discovery / What you Need to Know
Construction cases/Kajima I and II
Managing Complex Claims
Practical Ethical Advice
Court Annexed Mediation and Small Claims Training
Arbitrator Training
Ethics and Professionalism
Trying the Dissolution of Marriage Case
Dissolution of Marriage Judicial Forum
Divorce and Taxes
How to Discredit Business Valuations
Hot Topics in Professional Responsibility
Young Lawyers/judge panel
Foundations/Evidence
Art/Ethics of Advocacy
Liz has presented many seminars to divorce recovery groups, counselors, lawyers, hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies and was an instructor for several years for a personal injury trial practice course presented by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Liz provided seminars in Mapping the Legal Minefield; guidelines for medical practitioners to area hospitals and their staff. She presented “Handling Minor’s Claims” to several insurance carriers.
Liz tried a case with a former law partner which involved one of the earliest cases in which a plaintiff was able to recover damages for grief and sorrow. In that case, a young child’s father was killed in a motorcycle accident. Historically, without a history of significant financial contribution, the recovery for this case would have been minimal. Liz and her colleague successfully argued for recovery despite a lack of financial support from the deceased father to the child.
Liz made new law in the area of compensation for lost wages for a plaintiff who owns a corporation and is not able to earn money for the corporation due to injuries. After this case, the law is now clear that an injured person is entitled to recovery of the loss of those earnings and earning potential.
In the area of family law, Liz has had multiple cases heard by the appellate court with success for her clients. In a recent case, the State of Illinois through Lisa Madigan’s office attempted to seek compensation from a father in Illinois who had children living in Mexico. Madigan’s office was trying to have child support set at Illinois standards rather than the standard that would apply in Mexico where the mother and children live. Liz fought against the idea that Illinois state resources would be utilized to send money out of the country inappropriately when the father was already providing financial support. Liz’s argument in this case was affirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
In another case, the court held that the founder of Cancer Treatment Centers of America was in contempt of court which was affirmed by the Appellate Court. Despite this party’s unlimited resources, Liz and her client have defeated him in each appeal on multiple issues thus far. Liz’s client received the largest court ordered maintenance award reported in Illinois.
Liz strives to find ways to help parties avoid litigation and to make the litigation process less stressful. She combines her skills as a litigator and mediator to reach effective results. There are many ways to navigate a divorce and Liz will help you choose the path that will fit your situation best.
Liz has handled a wide variety of family law matters including complex, high-value estates, custody contests, paternity claims, DCFS investigations, and post-decree disputes. Her approach focuses on the continued interaction of the family members under a changed living arrangement. She works hard to get her clients to an equitable and workable result while trying to limit the long-term damage that can arise in a hotly contested divorce. While it is often considered best to avoid the court room in family law matters, staying out of the court room very often depends on being well prepared for a court hearing.
Representing both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation she has handled cases in the following areas: automobile, trucking, motorcycle accidents, construction, slip and fall, medical malpractice and other injuries and wrongful death claims.
Liz is very active in her community both professionally and personally.
She served as board member for the International Academy of Dispute Resolution. In that role, she judged national collegiate and international law school mediation tournaments giving her the opportunity to help students from all over the country and the world refine their mediation techniques. Whenever possible, Wakeman Law Group will try to get the parties to the table to try to work out their differences and will develop creative strategies to reach a resolution.
Professional Organizations:
Wakeman has trained lawyers in trial, alternative dispute resolution and mediation techniques.
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society
International Academy of Dispute Resolution
Women in Business
Women in Management
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Commission on Professionalism Mentoring Program Participant
Illinois State Bar Association, Assembly Member
Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce
McHenry County Bar Association
Civil Practice Committee/Section
Liz has served on committees to create, review and supplement the local rules for the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
Liz has assisted in the presentation of multiple continuing legal education courses through the McHenry County Bar Association regarding mediation, evidence and other civil litigation topics.
Illinois State Bar Association
Judicial Evaluation Committee Member (outside of Cook County)
Investigates and interviews judicial candidates to determine their qualifications for serving as a judge
Judge, Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest
Family Law Section Member
Health Care Law Section Member
Law office Management and Economics Section Member
Tort Law Section Member
McHenry County Bar Association
Family Law Section Member
Lake County Bar Association
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Mediation Council of Illinois
International Association of Collaborative Professionals
Collaborative Divorce Illinois
Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce
Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce
Community Involvement:
Former:
Lake in the Hills Village Trustee
Parks and Recreation Board Co-founder, Member, Chair
Sunset Fest Committee/ Kids’ Korner Coordinator
Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board member
Algonquin/Lake In The Hills Food Pantry volunteer
Cub Scout Pack 150, adult leader
Boy Scout Troop 151, adult leader, merit badge counselor (7 badges)
League of Women Voters
Deputy Registrar, McHenry County
Jaycees, Algonquin Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce
Communities Against Gangs
Lake in the Hills Airport Advisory Committee
Lake in the Hills Women’s League
Participant in Village of Lake in the Hills committees to hire key employees
Participant in Village of Lake in the Hills community education/cooperation committees
United Way Campaign Coordinator
Junior Achievement: JA and Project Business program instructor
Joy Community Presbyterian Church, steering committee member
Joy Community Presbyterian Church, Sunday School teacher/coordinator
Barrington Presbyterian Church, children’s area volunteer
Current:
People for Parks Foundation of Lake In The Hills, Inc., board member
Chair, Pub in the Park Craft Beer Festival
Boulder Ridge Country Club
Inverness Golf Club
Mediator in family law matters in McHenry County
Mediator for Kane County
Guardian Ad Litem in McHenry County family law cases
Our Office:
At Wakeman Law Group, PC, we use the most current technology to keep your legal fees low and we have office hours by appointment only with flexibility for your schedule. Phone messages are sent by email to the appropriate professional and we utilize Westlaw to give our clients the most current research results. With new changes in the law in 2017 and further changes in 2023 regarding child support, we incorporate software specifically designed to give accurate numbers for maintenance, child support and parenting time so that it can be clearly communicated to the court.
Awards:
Turning Point Peace & Justice Award, 2020
Shaw Media, McHenry County Taking Care of Community, 2019
Shaw Media, McHenry County Women of Distinction, 2018
Leading Lawyer 2013 - 2024
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
10 Best Attorneys, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023
Daily Herald Business Journal, Top Suburban Women Lawyers, 2017
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Child Custody
20%
Child Support
20%
Divorce and Separation
20%
Family
20%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Illinois for 32 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Wakeman Law Group, PC
(833) 646-0165
Mobile
741 S. McHenry Ave Suite A, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
wakemanlaw.net/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Elizabeth online.
Elizabeth Felt Wakeman's Reviews
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Practice Areas
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Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Responsiveness
Posted by Samantha | February 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Child Custody
Liz and her team have been amazing. I’ve been fighting a custody case for over 3 years and although it’s been a lengthy and torturous process dealing with my narcissistic ex, we’ve reached a best possible outcome this far. I’m extremely grateful for her attention to detail, timely responses and under...
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Experience
Honors
2023
Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin Media
2018
Women of Distinction, Shaw Media
Associations
2005 - Present
McHenry Bar Association , Civil Practice Committee/Rules CommitteeMember
Illinois State Bar Association
Member
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Member
Education
1993
DePaul University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2006
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
What To Do When the Lawyer Calls, or Writes
2005
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Mapping the Legal Minefield for Medical Care Providers
2005
McHenry County Business Owners
Mediation Opportunities for Your Business
2005
Lake in the Hills Rotary
What’s New in the Law that May Have an Effect on Your Business
N/A
Farmers Insurance, multiple years
Handling Minor’s Claims
Languages
English