Sharon Genalen

Sharon Genalen

also known as Sharon Falen

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 10 years

Family Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +2 more

161 N. Clark Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL

About Sharon

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 10 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2015

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Lake Family Law LLC

161 N. Clark Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL, 60540

Lake Family Law LLC

4055 S Route 59, Suite 100, Naperville, IL, 60564

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Sharon Genalen's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

32 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (32) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Amy | March 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

detailed, dedicated, and supportive

Sharon was an excellent source of knoweldge and support through my divorce process. Her attention to detail caught many mistakes by the other lawyer. She is articulate, assertive, and focused on getting the job done

Posted by Chrissy | August 31, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best Divorce Attorney!!

I worked with Sharon Falen who was beyond amazing & professional. When I had filed for divorce back in December, I had hired a male attorney from a different law firm. After about a month, I realized he was not doing his job & did not have my best interest at heart. I terminated him & found Sharon wi...th STG. From the moment I hired her as my attorney she hit the ground running & took over my case immediately! She was always super professional & explained every detail to me in a way that I could understand. She returned emails, texts & phone calls almost immediately!! She truly fought for me & always, always had my best interest at heart & I was able to settle with way more than I ever expected, thanks to Sharon! I had heard so many horror stories about divorces taking years!!! My divorce only took about 7 months, thanks to Sharon. She made the most difficult time in my life a million times easier for me. I would highly recommend her to ANYONE & EVERYONE!!! She’s truly THE best divorce attorney who goes above & beyond for her clients! As a woman going through divorce I felt she always had my back & I never for one second had to worry if things were being taken care of because she was always on top of everything on a daily basis! She never missed a beat. I could never properly thank her enough for what she did for me to make the divorce process so much more manageable. You won’t regret hiring her!!! Thank you Sharon!!

Posted by PJ | May 16, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Client

I have been working with STG Divorce law since 2013, and have been working closely with Sharon for the last two years on legal issues involving my divorce that have arisen. Sharon is the utmost professional with command of the law and ability to resolve conflicts fairly. Sharon is very cognizant ab...out the legal costs and does everything in her power to keep those costs as minimal as possible. Lastly, I take great comfort in the fact that it is very easy to talk with Sharon about issues of concern and she is very understanding.

Posted by anonymous | December 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Exceeded all my expectations

I had a child support issue with my ex-husband in terms of locating his whereabouts and enforcing my previous child support order from our divorce 9years ago. I disclosed with Sharon Falen that I was working with “limited finances” in regards to my dispute with the father of my child, who was refusin...g to disclose his home address or financially assist in any way. From the very beginning, Sharon was upfront and honest regarding my legal options and kept me well-informed through-out my case regarding the next legal course of action. Sharon was not only able to resolve my dispute, but far beyond exceeded my expectations in all ways possible. I am now receiving more child support then what I had initially expected (but very much needed to raise my daughter on my own!). I highly recommend for any family legality issues-Sharon demonstrated the professionalism, expert knowledge regarding her practice, open attorney/client communication, and remained respectful of my wishes in representing my child’s rights on my behalf. If I should ever need a family law attorney...I would consult only Ms. Falen and no one else to represent and fight for my rights!

Posted by Laurie | December 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Authentic Attorney

I consulted 2 different attorneys, both recommended by different acquaintances, before choosing Sharon to represent me. Sharon was authentic and REAL while still remaining extremely professional. I found her refreshingly human and easy to talk to, especially while I was dealing with the stress, uncer...tainty, and raw emotions of post-divorce legal issues. She did not make grand, unrealistic promises about how easy the legal matter would be to resolve, but instead provided knowledgeable guidance about what the likely outcomes would be, financially and otherwise, and what options I had. Yet, at the same time, she made me feel I was in competent hands and that she definitely had MY back. I knew that the new child support law in Illinois would affect the outcome, but she fought for me and listened to me and my needs. The result was a very fair outcome for all involved, and one that was much better for me than it could have been had I not been prepared. In the end, I feel like I did "win," and I absolutely would hire her again.

See All Client Reviews

Sharon Genalen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sharon
Melissa Kuffel headshot
Melissa Kuffel

Family lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Sharon is a skillful attorney who really cares about her clients and truly dedicates herself to achieve her clients' objectives."

Laura I. Baldwin headshot
Laura Baldwin

Family lawyer | Apr 12

Relationship: Co-worker

"Sharon is extremely professional, always well-prepared, and is a strong advocate for her clients. I highly recommend Sharon."

Teresa Dettloff headshot
Teresa Dettloff

Family lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sharon is a knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated attorney who advocates vigorously for her clients. Sharon has an excellent reputation in the community. I would highly recommend her."

View All Endorsements
Lisa Arnette Copland headshot
Lisa Copland

Family lawyer

Melissa Kuffel headshot
Melissa Kuffel

Family lawyer

Laura I. Baldwin headshot
Laura Baldwin

Family lawyer

Teresa Dettloff headshot
Teresa Dettloff

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2026

Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network

2026

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2019

DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation Pro Bono Service Award, DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation

2018

Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers

2018

Top Women Lawyers in Chicago, Top Women Lawyers (Daily Herald Business Ledger)

2017

Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers

2015

Certificate in Child and Family Law, Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Work Experience

2024 - Present

Attorney, Lake Divorce LLC

2023 - 2024

Senior Associate, Esp, Kreuzer, Cores & McLaughlin, LLP

2017 - 2023

Associate Attorney, Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, PC

2016 - 2017

Associate Attorney, The Child and Family Law Center

Associations

2025 - Present

Child Law Section Council - Illinois State Bar Association

Member

2025 - Present

DuPage County Bar Foundation

Member

2024 - Present

Collaborative Divorce Illinois

Board of Directors

2021 - Present

DuPage Association of Women Lawyers

Member

Illinois State Bar Association

DuPage County Bar Association

Education

2015

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2012

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

Carmel High School

Speaking Engagements

2022

Navigating Orders of Protection

Orders of Protection

2021

DCBA Probate Guardian ad litem Training

Minor Guardianship Appointments

2017

IEP's and 504 Plans: Tips for Parents as Advocates

Children with Special Needs

Publications

2026

DuPage County Bar Association Brief The Interplay of Prenuptial Agreements and Estate Planning: Ethical and Post-Mortem Consequences

2022

DCBA Brief: The Journal of the DuPage County Bar Association Attorneys' Fees Recoverable in Parentage Court: In re Stella and Its Progeny

2017

The Docket, official publication of Lake County Bar Association Reform in School Discipline in Illinois

2014

Praxis - Social Work & the Law: An Interdisciplinary Lens A Critical Analysis of the Collaboration of Child Welfare Professionals

Languages

English

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