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Michael John Gauthier

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Avvo Rating10
  • Vernon Hills, IL
  • Licensed for 13 years
  • Free consultation
Michael John Gauthier
Michael John Gauthier
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About Michael

Aggressive, assertive and compassionate family law representation

I am a lifelong resident of northern Illinois, having earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from Lake Forest College and my Juris Doctorate from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. I am licensed to practice in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and am the recipient of the prestigious CALI Award for his work in Trial Advocacy. I dedicate my practice to family law litigation throughout the courts of Illinois and have represented clients in dozens of appeals before the First and Second Appellate Districts of Illinois as well as the Illinois Supreme Court. 

Practice areas

FamilyDivorce and separation
  1. Divorce and separation: 90%

    Divorce, division of assets and debts, maintenance (alimony), child support, parenting time (visitation) and allocation of parental responsibilities

    15 years

  2. Family: 10%

    Post-decree (after divorce) custody, support and maintenance modifications and parentage cases

    15 years

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1193448 1489876681

Contact

270 Center Drive
address map

Gauthier Family Law

270 Center Drive
Suite 220
Vernon Hills, IL, 60061

Office (847) 816-7781
Fax (847) 557-4090

Website

http://www.gauthierfamilylaw.com/About/

Gauthier Family Law

Vernon Hills Family Law Blog

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law200607/06/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers59
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys2015
Nation's Top One PercentNational Association of Distinguished Counsel2015
BV RatedMartindale-Hubbell2014
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40American Society of Legal Advocates2014
Featured Attorney- DivorceAvvo2013
Top Contributor - DivorceAvvo2013
Certified Small Claims Mediator19th Judicial Circuit2012
Named Member of ABA Advisory PanelAmerican Bar Association2012
Granted Admission7th Circuit Court of Appeals2012
Named to the Trial BarUnited States District Court2012
Certified ArbitratorCircuit Court of Cook County2012
Fastcase50 NomineeFastcase2011
Certified Arbitrator19th Judicial Circuit2011
Dean's Honor ListChicago-Kent College of Law2005
Cali Award for ExcellenceCenter for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction2004
Dean's Honor ListChicago-Kent College of Law2004
Academic Scholar AwardChicago-Kent College of Law2002
Deerpath AwardLake Forest College1996
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyGauthier Family Law2017 - Present
Senior AttorneyLaw Firm of Wendy R. Morgan2010 - 2010
Attorney FounderGauthier & Gooch2010 - 2017
AttorneyWakenight & Associates, P.C.2009 - 2010
AttorneyLaw Offices of Thomas W. Gooch, III2005 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
United States District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisMember of Trial Bar2012 - Present
7th Circuit Court of AppealsAdmitted to Practice2012 - Present
Volunteer Voter Protection Legal TeamVolunteer Attorney2012 - Present
Lake County Bar AssociationMember2005 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationMember2005 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember2005 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember2005 - Present
Libertyville Boys Club FootballHead Football Coach1998 - 2000
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Windy City TimesSame-Sex Divorce: When there isn't a happily ever after2015
Lake County Suburban LifeDowntown Sign Prompts Police Visit2014
Cook County RecordRiffner Barber Rowden Sued for Malpractice2014
Chicago Daily Law BulletinOral Contracts Increase Accountants' Exposure to Breach of Duty Claims2013
Illinois Appellate CourtMiller v. Harris2013
Illinois Appellate Court 2nd DistHoch v. Boehme2013
Appellate Court of Illinois, 2nd DistrictTiman v. Ourada2012
Chicago Daily Law BulletinIssues involving multiple cases throughout Chicagoland2011
Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, London Daily MailMultiple issues in cases in Cook County2011
JezebelMotion to Dismiss2011
Above the LawMotion of the Day2011
Appellate Court, 2nd DistrictChristopherson v. Franklin2011
Illinois State Bar AssociationVoluntary Nonsuit? You'd Better Think Twice (Cited through Kasny v. Coonen & Roth)2010
Illinois Appellate Court, 2nd DistrictKasny v. Coonen & Roth2009
Grand Central PublishingThe Genesis of Justice (contribution)2001
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of TechnologyJ.D.2005
Lake Forest CollegeBA - Bachelor of Arts2000
University of HavanaN/AN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Appellate Court, Second DistristChristopherson v. Franklin - oral argument of professional malpractice appeal2011
Libertyville High SchoolRacial and Economic Relations in CubaN/A
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Katten v. All ProBench Trial
LeRose v. McDonnellSettlement in favor of client
Buffalo v. CitgoSettlement in favor of client
(Plaintiff's name redacted) v. KaraDefendant's full policy limits awarded to client
Miller v. HarrisSettlement in favor of client
Zvertivnev v. Exotic MotorsJury verdict for Defendant
Hunter v. AdcockJudgment for Plaintiff
Dore v. Exotic MotorsJudgment for client
Christopherson v. FranklinSucceeded on Appeal, case remanded to trial court
Christopherson v. FranklinCurrently on appeal and set for oral argument on April 4, 2011
Kasny v. Coonen & RothSee appellate opinion below

Reviews

(36)
5 Star
94%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Review Michael Gauthier

Absolutely a go to!

Posted by

After doing research about other attorneys, I felt Gauthier Family Law was the perfect choice. Mike absolutely did not disappoint when it came to his knowledge and organization skills. I highly recommend Mike and his firm to anyone!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent Lawyer

Posted by

No divorce case is easy. I was so extremely happy to have found Michael. He is very personable, professional and very knowledgeable. He made a divorce after 26 years as comforting as possible. He is an excellent attorney in may aspects! I would highly recommend him to anyone.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(51)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Michael Salvi, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 5, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Mike is a smart lawyer who fights hard for his clients. Every time I see him arguing a motion I am impressed. The judges respect him because he's prepared and presents his case in a logical, persuasive way. Thus, he wins, a lot.

Marc McCallister, Medical malpractice Attorney on Oct 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

John Borcia, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Jeannie Ridings, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 22, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Douglas Borthwick, Family Attorney on Nov 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Saam Ghiaasiaan, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a sharp witted, outside-the-box thinker who brings these attributes to the table for his clients' benefit.

Richard Rosenstein, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gauthier is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients.

John O'Brien, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.

Thomas Gooch, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on May 2, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. I work with him. He's one of the best

Sean Cleary, Car accident Attorney on Apr 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community.

David Carrier, Elder law Attorney on Oct 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Martin Osinski, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 5, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Bryce Fetter, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

John Phillips, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 28, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Attorney Gauthier. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos.

Baskin Jones, Car accident Attorney on May 7, 2012
Relationship: Other

If you need a family law attorney in Illinois, may I suggest Michael John Gauthier.

Jorge Rodriguez, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 22, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Family law questions can be stressful. Attorney Gauthier knows the law and can successfully guide you through your legal situation.

Jon Pettis, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 20, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Duffy, Litigation Attorney on Apr 5, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Joan Bundy, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 3, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. He always has intelligent and helpful things to say in response to questions posed by members of the public on Avvo. I would recommend his work without reservation.

Wesley Hill, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 26, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

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    Recent Posts

    Vernon Hills Family Law Blog