Curriculum Vitae - Stephanie A. Kasten
Stephanie A. Kasten Since graduating from law school in 2000, Attorney Kasten has concentrated her practice in family law. From 2005 forward, her practice has been exclusively devoted to family law cases at The Gitlin Law Firm. In May 1997, Attorney Kasten received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in the top of her class from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. She went on to receive her J.D. with honors of cum laude from Northern Illinois University in May 2000.
She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Leading Lawyers Network: Selected by Leading Lawyers Network in 2015 by survey of peers of Illinois’ lawyers based upon experience, reputation and legal skills in the area of Family Law. Law Bulletin Publishing Company.
AAML Fellowship: Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - 2013.
Collaborative Law: Fellow, Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Trained Collaborative Lawyer through Collaborative Practice - Silicon Valley presented by the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, 2006.
Certified Mediator, Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin and Mediation Training and Consultation Institute, 2007.
Lectures:
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) Presentations for Program Exclusively on Child Support and Maintenance, June 2013:
Social Security and Maintenance: In What Situations is Consideration of Social Security Benefits Appropriate? and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders: How to Use QDROs to Enforce Child Support and Maintenance Obligations.
IICLE "Starting Points - Divorce Boot Camp" on the topics of the costs of divorce and custody - February 2015, March 2010, February 2008 and February 2007.
National Business Institute "QDROs and Other Legal Tactics to Ensure Your Client’s Financial Future" - October 2010.
National Business Institute "Financial and Case Management for the Divorce Paralegal" - May 2009.
National Business Institute "A Road Map Through Divorce Proceedings" - July 2006
National Business Institute "Complex Issues in Divorce for the Illinois Practitioner," - January 2005.
National Business Institute "Handling Illinois Divorce Cases from Start to Finish" - October 2004.
McHenry County Bar Association, Family Law Section on case law updates - 2005 to present.
Author:
"The Costs of Divorce: Support, Maintenance, and Other Fiscal Impacts," section of IICLE seminar manual, 2015, 2010, 2008 and 2007
"What About Children? Custody and Visitation," section of IICLE manual, 2010, 2008 and 2007
"Child Support Determinants and Procedure," section of NBI manual, 2010
"Child Support After the Initial Determinations," section of NBI manual, 2010
"Initial Interviews and Pleadings," section of NBI paralegal manual, 2009
"New Supreme Court Rules for Custody Cases - An Overview," McHenry County Bar Association Journal, 2006.
"Handling Custody, Visitation and Support Issues," section of NBI manual, 2006.
"Complex Issues in Divorce for the Illinois Practitioner," section of NBI manual, 2005.
"Handling Illinois Divorce Cases from Start to Finish," section of NBI manual, 2004.
Co-Author: "Social Security and Maintenance: In What Situations is Consideration of Social Security Benefits Appropriate?" IICLE Manual, June 2013.
"Qualified Domestic Relations Orders: How to Use QDROs to Enforce Child Support and Maintenance Obligations," IICLE Manual, June 2013.
Other:
Child Representative/Guardian ad Litem Training, 2007.
Bar Association Memberships and Positions Held:
Member of the American Bar Association (including the Family Law section), the Illinois State Bar Association, and the McHenry County Bar Association (including the Family Law section).
Served in 2005, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, as President of the Family Law Section of the McHenry County Bar Association
Committee Chair 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the McHenry County Bar Association Destination Seminar (a sub-committee of the McHenry County Bar Association.)
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Practice Area
26 years
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Acquired: 2000
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663 E. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, IL, 60098-4262
15 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Matthew | December 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Exceptional Advocate for Fathers’ Custody Rights
I highly recommend Stephanie Kasten of Gitlin Law Firm. She is a high-powered, highly skilled attorney who truly fights for fathers’ rights in child custody cases. Stephanie was incredibly detail-oriented throughout my case and consistently demonstrated genuine family values and care. She walked me t...
Posted by Matthew | September 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family
Excellent
I have hired Stephanie for almost all of my family law needs and I've always been happy with the results!
Posted by anonymous | November 30, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Excellant
I needed to have a Matter taken care of from a divorce 10 years prior (QDRO). During the consultation Stephanie explaining everything thoroughly. I hired her and she began working on my case immediately as time was of the essence. Stephanie was extremely professional and timely. The case was conclude...
Posted by anonymous | August 04, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Divorce Attorney
Ms. Kasten was very dedicated in trying to find a fair compromise to settle our divorce. She came up with some very innovative ideas on how to handle maintenance in our case which I felt would have offered a win win solution to the divorce. She went to extremes to explain this solution to the opposin...
Posted by Brenda | February 18, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Family
Excellent representation!!
Im so happy i used Stephanie Kasten’s services. She is very professional and has a real understanding of marital law. She leaves no stone unturned. She is well worth the money..Stephanie is very personable and easy to work explaining everything in detail as needed. Loved her!!
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2015
Named a Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network
2013
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
2007
Fellow, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
2007
Fellow, Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois
2007
Certified Mediator, Mediation Training and Consultation Institute
2007
Certificate of Completion, Child Representative/Guardian ad Litem Training
2006
Trained through Collaborative Practice - Silicon Valley, Collaborative Practice
2000
Graduated with Honors of cum laude, Northern Illinois University College of Law
1999
Best Brief, Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competittion
1999
Best Brief, Northern Illinois University College of Law Moot Court Competition
1999
Second Place, Oral Arguments, Northern Illinois University College of Law Moot Court Competition
1999
Editor, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Law Review Editor
1998
member, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Law Review
2005 - Present
Associate, The Gitlin Law Firm, PC
2000 - 2005
Associate, Franks Gerkin & McKenna, PC
2015 - Present
Leading Lawyers
2013 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial LawyersFellow
2007 - Present
Collaborative Law Institute of IllinoisFellow
2007 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsFellow
2000 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
McHenry County Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
Family Law Section, McHenry County Bar Association
2012 - 2015
McHenry County Bar Association, Destination Seminar SubcommitteeChairperson
2011 - 2013
Family Law Section, McHenry County Bar AssociationPresident
2005 - 2006
Family Law Section, McHenry County Bar AssociationPresident
2000
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2015
Costs of Custody and Divorce
2013
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders - How to Use QDROS to Enforce Child Support and Maintenance Obligations
2013
Social Security and Maintenance- In What Situations is Consideration of Social Security Benefits Appropriate
2010
Costs of Custody and Divorce
2010
QDROs and Other Legal Tactics to Ensure Your Client’s Financial Future
2009
Financial and Case Management for the Divorce Paralegal
2008
Costs of Custody and Divorce
2007
Costs of Custody and Divorce
2006
“A Road Map Through Divorce Proceedings
2005
"Complex Issues in Divorce for the Illinois Practitioner
2005
Case Law Updates
2004
"Handling Illinois Divorce Cases from Start to Finish
2015
2013
2013
2010
2010
2010
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2009
2008
2008
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English