PRO
also known as Deborah Cohen
Virtual Consultation Available
Debbie Cohen is the founder of Cohen Law LLC, a boutique divorce and family law firm based in Northbrook, Illinois, serving clients throughout Chicago, the North Shore, Cook/Lake Counties, and surrounding suburbs. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Debbie brings a unique combination of litigation, investigative skill, & compassion to her family law practice.
Before focusing her practice on family law, Debbie served as a prosecutor, practiced criminal defense, & worked as an investigator for the Independent Inspector General of Cook County. This diverse background gives her a distinctive perspective when handling complex divorce & family law matters. She is comfortable in the courtroom, skilled at evaluating credibility and evidence, and understands how to develop a case strategically from the beginning, while always remaining focused on the client's goals.
A multi-year Super Lawyers honoree with 5-star client reviews, Debbie is known for combining strategic, results-focused advocacy with the personal attention clients need during one of the most difficult transitions of their lives. She understands that divorce is not simply a legal proceeding—it can affect a client's children, finances, home, family relationships, and future.
Debbie represents clients from all walks of life, from stay-at-home moms to prominent business owners and professionals. Debbie handles uncontested and contested divorce, high-asset and complex financial divorce matters including closely held businesses and executive compensation, child custody and custodial disputes, allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, contested parenting matters, relocation cases, child support, maintenance, prenuptial & postnuptial agreements, orders of protection, & post-decree matters.
At Cohen Law, clients are treated as individuals, not case numbers. Some cases call for negotiation; others require strong courtroom advocacy. Whether negotiating a resolution or advocating in the courtroom, Debbie believes clients deserve to feel heard, protected, and genuinely cared for every step of the way.
Her philosophy is simple: strong advocacy doesn't have to come without compassion. Her clients deserve both and she delivers.
4
Practice Areas
Always
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Debbie online.
51 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 51 reviews
Posted by anonymous | August 12, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Terrific!
After changing attorneys during a legal matter, I then hired Ms. Cohen to represent me. She went above and beyond anything that I could have expected from her. Ultimately, Ms. Cohen delivered a favorable outcome that was not even originally presented to me by my previous Attorney. She remained in ...
Posted by Monika | August 03, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Simply the Best !
Working with Debbie was an absolute pleasure! She is a fantastic attorney who gives 100% to her clients . I hired her for a traffic case, and was pleased with every step ! Her knowledge and attention to details is on point . Most importantly, she is very responsive, and always available to discuss an...
Posted by Jon | August 03, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Wonderful, caring, and always showing empathy
I have know Debby Cohen for 10 years. I have never found an attorney who cares as much as she. She is extremely knowledgeable about the law and always will make time and drop everything on her client's behalf. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. I am so fortunate to have found such a won...
Posted by Joyce | August 20, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Kind, Compassionate, Understanding, Patient
Debbie was not only supportive in every way, but she also always made herself available to answer and explain any questions. It is a very rough thing to go through, but Debbie and her team made it much easier to deal with. Debbie Cohen is amazing and I highly recommend.
Posted by Marquita | July 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Best family law attorney.
had the privilege of having Debbie Cohen represent me throughout my divorce, one of the most difficult experiences a family can endure. From the very beginning, Ms. Cohen was a dedicated advocate, providing unwavering support and guidance through every court appearance, hearing, and challenge. Throu...
"I endorse this lawyer. I first met Deb during a civil litigation matter, wherein we represented the same client as both plaintiff and counter-defendant. I was immediately impressed by her direct, no-nonsense communication style, great sense of humor, and her relentless tenacity/creativity in formulating litigation and settlement strategies. Following the successful resolution of that matter, we developed a close professional and personal relationship. I have referred many criminal defense litigation matters to Deb over the years, and in each and every case without exception, Deb secured a victorious acquittal or pre-trial dismissal with prejudice. Each client thanked me profusely for Deb’s referral, and waxed on effusively about her compassion, commitment and performance. One client in particular told me how Deb’s dismissal of his felony charges changed his life – that he graduated from college and has a fulltime job with the State of Illinois."
"Debbie is a passionate and zealous advocate for her clients, taking the time to do whatever research is needed on a case and utilizing her excellent litigation skills where appropriate. In sum, a fantastic attorney!"
"Debbie is a fantastic lawyer. We started out together in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office handling various criminal prosecutions and gained immeasurable experience doing so. As a private attorney, she has the litigation skills and demeanor that makes her a very effective Defense Counsel. She is a fierce advocate for her client and achieves excellent results. I highly endorse her."
"I’ve known Debbie Cohen for many years now as my fellow attorney. She has an enviable reputation in the legal community for professionalism, expertise, and compassion for her clients. I have always found her to be scrupulous and well-prepared. With her years of experience as a prosecutor and a private criminal defense attorney, you cannot go wrong with hiring her. I would also feel confident having her represent me in a family law matter, because I know how capable she is, but more importantly I know she has the life experience and empathy to understand what parties are going through during a divorce and or custody battle. As someone who has been through a protracted family law matter myself, I can speak to the importance of kindness and patience in an attorney representing you during a difficult time. Debbie Cohen is an excellent attorney and I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Phenomenal trial attorney. One of the toughest prosecutors I ever tried a case against. Razor sharp, great trial skills, unrelenting. I have gotten to know Debbie as a member of the defense bar as well and she is one of the most respected attorneys in the Chicagoland area amongst her peers and judges. Honest, trustworthy, dependable, kind and considerate. A consumate professional. I would have no qualms hiring Debbie if I ever needed representation. An absolute credit to the Illinois defense bar and a wonderful human being."
"Deborah and I worked together as prosecutors in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. She is a hard working professional that fights for for her clients. I endorse this lawyer for any DUI or criminal defense matter."
"I have known Deborah since law school, and butted heads with her when she worked for the Cook County State's Attorney. She is professional and thorough, and I'm pleased to recommend her work as an attorney."
"I worked with Deborah at The Cook County State's Attorney's Office and know her to be an excellent trial attorney."
"Ms. Cohen and I met while working at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. While we have both gone out separate ways from that position, continue to work together and rely on one another as a source of information and collaborative work within the law. Ms. Cohen is an experienced, ethical and conscientious attorney who fights with zeal for her clients and has a strong presence in the courtroom. Most notably, Ms. Cohen shows genuine interest in treating all clients, attorneys, and others with whom she has contact with, with respect and dignity. Something overlooked in our profession these days. I would not hesitate to refer a client to Ms. Cohen."
Expungement lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Government lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2026
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
1999
Best Trial Advocate, William Daniel’s Competition
2018 - Present
Lawyer, Cohen Law
2013 - 2018
Investigator, Cook County Inspector General's Office
2009 - 2013
Assistant Special Prosecutor, Cook County Special Prosecutor
2007 - 2013
President, Cohen Law
2006 - 2007
Litigation Associate, Schain Burney Ross and Citron
2000 - 2004
Assistant State's Attorney, Cook County State's Attorney's Office
2020 - 2021
Chicago Bar Association, Domestic RelationsBoard Member
2012 - 2013
Northwest Suburban Bar AssociationBoard Member
2012 - 2020
Forrest Powell FoundationBoard Member
2011 - 2013
Illinois Association of Criminal DefenseBoard Member
2010 - 2013
Decalogue Society of Lawyers
2008 - 2013
Illinois State Bar Association
2007 - 2013
Women's Criminal Defense Bar AssociationMember
Deferred prosecution = Dismissal of All Charges
All charges dismissed against my client.
2000
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
BA - Bachelor of Arts
English
Legal Answers
Will I receive my bond money back the day i go to court?
20 Aug 2020
I got a traffic ticket for "permitting an unauthorized person to drive" and I was wondering what ate the repercussions?
13 Mar 2011