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Michael John Gauthier

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Avvo Rating10
  • Vernon Hills, IL
  • Licensed for 15 years
  • Free consultation
Michael John Gauthier
Michael John Gauthier
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About Michael

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

  1. Divorce and separation: 90%

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

    17 years

  2. Family: 10%

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

    17 years

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1193448 1489876681

Contact

Gauthier Family Law

270 Center Drive
Suite 220
Vernon Hills, IL, 60061

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

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law200612/20/2021
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/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
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Reviews

5.0 stars4.8 (64)
5 Star
94%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Review Michael Gauthier

Thank you!

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Professional and Helpful

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly recommended

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly Recommend

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Divorced in Three Months! (:

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Gauthier Family Law Divorce Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thank you

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Divorce attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best possible outcome

5.0 stars

Posted by

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Gauthier Family Law Review

5.0 stars

Posted by

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
Lawyer Michael Joseph Salvi

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.

Lawyer Marc Emery McCallister

Marc McCallister, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Michael Joseph Salvi

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.

Lawyer Marc Emery McCallister

Marc McCallister, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer John Michael Borcia

John Borcia, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Jeannie Marie Ridings

Jeannie Ridings, Litigation Attorney on Nov 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Douglas MacMillan Borthwick

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

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Saam Seyed Ghiaasiaan

Saam Ghiaasiaan, Unknown 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.

Lawyer Richard Todd Rosenstein

Richard Rosenstein, Unknown 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.

Lawyer John M O'Brien

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.

Lawyer Thomas William Gooch III

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

Lawyer Sean Cleary

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.

Lawyer David L. Carrier

David Carrier, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 3, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Martin Osinski

Martin Osinski, Unknown Attorney on Sep 5, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Bryce A. Fetter

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

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer John Michael Phillips

John Phillips, Unknown Attorney on Aug 27, 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.

Lawyer Baskin Lowber Jones

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.

Lawyer Jorge Luis Rodriguez

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.

Lawyer Jon Martin Pettis

Jon Pettis, Unknown Attorney on Apr 20, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Michael James Duffy

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

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Joan M Bundy

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.

Lawyer Wesley Kent Hill

Wesley Hill, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 25, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

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PAYMENT METHODS

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Recent Posts

Vernon Hills Family Law Blog