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Mary E. McSwain is a Founding Partner of McSwain Rapp Law, LLC in Wheaton, Illinois. She is a general practitioner whose work focuses on family law and residential real estate. Before opening her current firm, she practiced with Attorney Neal Cerne, who later became a Judge in DuPage County.
Over the course of her career, Mary has built a strong reputation as a trial attorney and advocate. She has written several appellate briefs that led to published, precedent-setting opinions. Known for her strong Midwest work ethic, she has represented thousands of clients in family law matters and real estate transactions.
Mary has also been active in legal education and professional leadership. She has presented at seminars sponsored by the DuPage County Bar Association, Chicago Title Insurance Company, and the Illinois State Bar Association. In addition, she is a registered title agent for several title insurance companies.
Her service to the legal community includes leadership roles with several respected organizations. She served as Chair of the DuPage County Real Estate Law and Practice Committee during 1993–1994 and again during 2007–2008, where she helped facilitate revisions to the regional residential real estate contract. She is also a longtime former member of the board of directors of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and the DuPage County Family Law Committee, with more than 25 years of involvement.
Mary also served as an elected member of the Illinois State Bar Association Assembly from 2004 to 2010 and on the board of the DuPage County Bar Association from 2000 to 2006. During that time, she chaired several committees, including Court Facilities and Law Practice Management.
Her work has earned recognition throughout the local legal community, including the DCBA Pro Bono Service Award for 2005–2006 and the DCBA Board of Directors Award for 1999–2000. She also holds a 5/5 Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating and a 10/10 client rating on Avvo.
Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and her Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law. She was admitted to practice in Illinois and the Northern District of Illinois in 1983, and before the United States Supreme Court in 2015.
5
Practice Areas
43 years | 500 cases
43 years | 2,000 cases
43 years | 50 cases
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$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: Illinois
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
2100 Manchester Road, Building B, Suite 1050, Wheaton, IL, 60187
205 1/2 West State Street, Suite C, Geneva, IL, 60134
19 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 19 reviews
Posted by MaryAnn | May 07, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
GREAT EXPERIENCE
I hired Mary as a referral many years ago to help me with post-decree child support issues. My husband was abusive and very scary. Mary didn't flinch and never relented until every dime owed me was recovered. Mary was always accessible and supportive during my desperate time of need. subsequently...
Posted by R | December 07, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Deceiving and Apathetic
I rarely leave bad reviews for anything, but Mary was very disappointing. In my personal opinion, she gained my trust and then majorly failed me. My case was domestic, I was pregnant and she had me leave my home the night before she went on vacation to Europe. The next morning there was an emergency ...
Posted by Gregory | November 05, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
A never ending divorce.
My ex-wife and her attorney kept returning to court for one thing or another. Mary finally got everything I wished for and more and it is finally finished! She was professional and her fees were very reasonable.
Posted by anonymous | November 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Quality Legal Services
Mary helped me resolve spurious motions against me. She was organized, prepared and reasonable in her arguments. Due to her diligence, I prevailed and and very happy with the results. Thanks!
Posted by Lori | August 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
Best Experience Ever!!!!!
Mary McSwain was referred to me by my brother. He had her handle a few transactions for him in the past and recommended her to me. From the first phone call, Mary and her assistant Lynn were nothing but professional. Mary explained every detail of the sale of my house to me and that was helpful ...
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
2026
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2026
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2025
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2025
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2023
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2023
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2022
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2021
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2020
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2019
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
Pro Bono Legal Service Award, DuPage County Bar Association, Legal Aid
2000
Board Of Directors Award, DuPage County Bar Association
N/A
10.0 Rating (Superb), AVVO
2025 - Present
Partner, McSwain Rapp Law, LLC
1989 - 2025
President, McSwain & Associates, P.C.
1983 - Present
DuPage County Bar AssociationDirector 2000-2006, current member
2008 - 2008
DuPage County Bar Association, Real Estate Law CommitteeChair
2006 - 2006
DuPage County Bar AssociationDirector
2005 - 2005
DuPage County Bar Association, Court Facilities and LibraryChair
2002 - 2009
Illinois State Bar AssociationAssembly
2001 - 2001
DuPage County Bar Association, Law Practice Management CommitteeChair
1994 - 1994
DuPage County Bar Association, Real Estate Law CommitteeChair
1983
Juris Doctor
1977
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2026
2026
2026
2026
English
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