Michael Harry Minton

The only Board Certified Family Law Trial Advocate in the State of Illinois with the goal of each Client "realizing an accomplishment" in the Dissolution Process while achieving Emotional and Economic security for the Family in a professional and confidential manner. I have a passionate belief in what we do, never compromising standards or values in caring about the Client and the Family. I have maintained this vision of Client Service and Representation. This True Professionalism as exhibited has been nationally recognized for over 40 years. "Family Matters Matter To Us."

Michael Harry Minton, founding partner of The Minton Firm, with offices located in the Chicagoland area, was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association in 1971, having received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Northwestern in 1971, attending the University of London School of Economics while at Northwestern, and having received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1968.

A member of the Association Of Trial Lawyers Of America since 1975, Minton received recognition as an "Advocate" by ATLA's National College of Advocacy Achievement Recognition Program. The National College of Advocacy recognizes Minton as a “Fellow of Trial Advocacy” and was awarded the status of ATLA “Stalwart”. Minton was elected as an ATLA Family Law Section Officer and served as the Secretary of the Family Law Section. Minton was then elected as Chair of the Family Law Section for two terms and then served as Immediate-Past Chair.

The National Board Of Trial Advocacy awarded Minton Board Certification on Civil Trial Advocacy in 1982 and Minton has been re-certified each year, most recently by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as achieving board certification in Family Law Trial Advocacy in 2011. Minton was the first attorney in the State of Illinois to be awarded Board Certification as a Family Law Trial Advocate. The NBTA is dedicated to the identification of attorneys with a history of enhanced skill in trial practice and insures that each NBTA board certified attorney can substantiate their specialty designation with true quality.

Minton is listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for 2011 and has maintained this recognition for 25 years. This AN Preeminent has been earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating Process and signifies the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards. The American Biographical Institute recognized Minton for his outstanding pursuits and achievements in the field on family law as Man of the Year 2011.

The National Trial Lawyers certified and named Minton to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2011. Minton was invited to become a member of the distinguished Melvin M. Belli Society in 2010. This invitation for membership is extended to a select number of attorneys who had demonstrated both ability and dedication to Civil Trial Advocacy with the acknowledgement that Minton has met the standard of excellence required for this Award.

Minton is a member of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation and a Sustaining Fellow of the Roscoe Pound Foundation. Minton was a Chairman of the ATLA Lawyer’s Challenge For Children Program and a member of the Streetlaw Educational Project. Minton served on the Board of Editors of the national publication entitled “Fair Share” and was the Consulting Editor for the Nichol’s Illinois Civil Practice Volume 3A, which covered Trial Practice and Procedure.

Minton is the author of the book entitled "What is a Wife Worth? The Leading Expert Places a High Dollar on Homemaking," William Morrow & Co., Inc. New York; McGraw Hill, Inc. New York (paperback) and an Audio Cassette Presentation entitled “The Value of Housework: For Love or Money.” Minton has authored chapters and articles regarding trial practice for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the National Business Institute. Other Articles have been published in the Trial Diplomacy Journal, the Journal of Forensic Economics and the Halm Library Publication. Articles have also appeared in People Magazine, Money Magazine, Fortune Magazine, The American Benefactor and other news publications throughout the country. Recently, Minton authored an article titled “Winning in Changing Times: Trial Advocacy in Custody Litigation” which appeared in Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s Winter 2010 Trial Journal, Volume 12, Issue 1.

Minton has lectured at Bar Association Conventions and Seminars held in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Canada, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Ohio and has been a featured speaker at the 50th Annual ATLA Convention. Minton was on the Seminar Faculty and lectured at the Absolute Litigators 2009 “Winning in Changing Times” held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Minton has been a featured guest on Donahue, 60 Minutes, The Letterman Show, The Today Show, The Larry King Radio Show and other nationally syndicated radio and television programs. Minton has argued cases before the Illinois Court of Appeals, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Arizona Appellate Court.

Minton maintains membership in the American Association for Justice, The American Bar Association, The Illinois Bar Association, The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, The Chicago Bar Association, the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and The DuPage County Bar Association.