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
Divorce, division of assets and debts, maintenance (alimony), child support, parenting time (visitation) and allocation of parental responsibilities
16 years
Post-decree (after divorce) custody, support and maintenance modifications and parentage cases
16 years
Languages spoken
English
Gauthier Family Law
270 Center Drive
Suite 220
Vernon Hills, IL, 60061
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2006 | 12/06/2020 |
Legal answers | 59 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40 | National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys | 2015 |
Nation's Top One Percent | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2015 |
BV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 | American Society of Legal Advocates | 2014 |
Featured Attorney- Divorce | Avvo | 2013 |
Top Contributor - Divorce | Avvo | 2013 |
---|---|---|
Certified Small Claims Mediator | 19th Judicial Circuit | 2012 |
Named Member of ABA Advisory Panel | American Bar Association | 2012 |
Granted Admission | 7th Circuit Court of Appeals | 2012 |
Named to the Trial Bar | United States District Court | 2012 |
Certified Arbitrator | Circuit Court of Cook County | 2012 |
Fastcase50 Nominee | Fastcase | 2011 |
Certified Arbitrator | 19th Judicial Circuit | 2011 |
Dean's Honor List | Chicago-Kent College of Law | 2005 |
Cali Award for Excellence | Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction | 2004 |
Dean's Honor List | Chicago-Kent College of Law | 2004 |
Academic Scholar Award | Chicago-Kent College of Law | 2002 |
Deerpath Award | Lake Forest College | 1996 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Gauthier Family Law | 2017 - Present |
Senior Attorney | Law Firm of Wendy R. Morgan | 2010 - 2010 |
Attorney Founder | Gauthier & Gooch | 2010 - 2017 |
Attorney | Wakenight & Associates, P.C. | 2009 - 2010 |
Attorney | Law Offices of Thomas W. Gooch, III | 2005 - 2009 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | Member of Trial Bar | 2012 - Present |
7th Circuit Court of Appeals | Admitted to Practice | 2012 - Present |
Volunteer Voter Protection Legal Team | Volunteer Attorney | 2012 - Present |
Lake County Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
Chicago Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
American Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
---|---|---|
Illinois State Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
Libertyville Boys Club Football | Head Football Coach | 1998 - 2000 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Windy City Times | Same-Sex Divorce: When there isn't a happily ever after | 2015 |
Lake County Suburban Life | Downtown Sign Prompts Police Visit | 2014 |
Cook County Record | Riffner Barber Rowden Sued for Malpractice | 2014 |
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | Oral Contracts Increase Accountants' Exposure to Breach of Duty Claims | 2013 |
Illinois Appellate Court | Miller v. Harris | 2013 |
Illinois Appellate Court 2nd Dist | Hoch v. Boehme | 2013 |
---|---|---|
Appellate Court of Illinois, 2nd District | Timan v. Ourada | 2012 |
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | Issues involving multiple cases throughout Chicagoland | 2011 |
Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, London Daily Mail | Multiple issues in cases in Cook County | 2011 |
Jezebel | Motion to Dismiss | 2011 |
Above the Law | Motion of the Day | 2011 |
Appellate Court, 2nd District | Christopherson v. Franklin | 2011 |
Illinois State Bar Association | Voluntary Nonsuit? You'd Better Think Twice (Cited through Kasny v. Coonen & Roth) | 2010 |
Illinois Appellate Court, 2nd District | Kasny v. Coonen & Roth | 2009 |
Grand Central Publishing | The Genesis of Justice (contribution) | 2001 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology | J.D. | 2005 |
Lake Forest College | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2000 |
University of Havana | N/A | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Appellate Court, Second Distrist | Christopherson v. Franklin - oral argument of professional malpractice appeal | 2011 |
Libertyville High School | Racial and Economic Relations in Cuba | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Katten v. All Pro | Bench Trial |
LeRose v. McDonnell | Settlement in favor of client |
Buffalo v. Citgo | Settlement in favor of client |
(Plaintiff's name redacted) v. Kara | Defendant's full policy limits awarded to client |
Miller v. Harris | Settlement in favor of client |
Zvertivnev v. Exotic Motors | Jury verdict for Defendant |
---|---|
Hunter v. Adcock | Judgment for Plaintiff |
Dore v. Exotic Motors | Judgment for client |
Christopherson v. Franklin | Succeeded on Appeal, case remanded to trial court |
Christopherson v. Franklin | Currently on appeal and set for oral argument on April 4, 2011 |
Kasny v. Coonen & Roth | See appellate opinion below |
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Michael Salvi, Litigation 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, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
John Borcia, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jeannie Ridings, Litigation Attorney on Nov 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Douglas Borthwick, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a sharp witted, outside-the-box thinker who brings these attributes to the table for his clients' benefit.
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, Divorce and separation 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, Litigation Attorney on May 2, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. I work with him. He's one of the best
Sean Cleary, Divorce and separation 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, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 3, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Bryce Fetter, Family Attorney on Apr 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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, Family Attorney on May 7, 2012
Relationship: Other
If you need a family law attorney in Illinois, may I suggest Michael John Gauthier.
Jorge Rodriguez, Family 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.
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Joan Bundy, Family Attorney on Apr 2, 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, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 25, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.