David N. Schaffer

David N. Schaffer

3.7
Rating: 9.3

Licensed for 41 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Naperville, IL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Marriage & Prenuptials, Family

2020 Calamos Court, Suite 200, Naperville, IL

About David

Biography

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 41 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1984

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Schaffer Family Law, Ltd

2020 Calamos Court, Suite 200, Naperville, IL, 60563

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

David N. Schaffer's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.7 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Professionalism

Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Lazy and dishonest

I hired David based on the good reviews. What a mistake! It cost me tens of thousands and was great harm to my case. This lawyer did not make any efforts to learn the facts of the case to prepare for negotiations with the opposing party or hearings, did not file the petitions he wanted to file. Howe...ver, he did not forget to charge for all of that as if it was done. He even lied to my face. Looking at all the wonderful reviews that mislead me, I was asking myself whether that which happened to me is an exception. So, I found the case where David N. Schaffer lied under oath. MOLDEN v. REID (200 Ill. App.3d 495 (Ill. App. Ct. 1990)). Here is the quotation: "...the trial court specifically characterized as a "lie" Shaffer's assertion..." If you want a decent lawyer on your side, search the cases, not reviews. It takes time but it pays off.

Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Disappointed in the follow through

Mr. Schaffer presents himself as an expert in international child custody issues. However, the Hague petition he filed on my behalf was immediately rejected as inadequate by the U.S. Department of State. Elementary issues including translation to the appropriate language and adequate evidence of habi...tual residence - central to the case - were lacking. Getting David to correct these errors took way too long given the time sensitivity of the case. The delay proved costly in other ways, requiring my own time, that of other attorneys, and additional international travel relative to the plan that he outlined. He had some useful advice for me during a difficult time, but his execution of the legal processes - his primary responsibility - proved disappointing.

David Schaffer

Replied last July 05, 2023

I do not recognize this reviewer as a client. Further, I wonder their motivation(s) for posting what is also an illogical "hit piece" against me: One does not file a Hague "petition" with the U.S. Department of State. One files an "application" to the Dept. of State - the Central Authority for the U.S. to be forwarded to the Central Authority of the country to where the children have been abducted or are being wrongfully withheld. It is the "left-behind" parent that files and signs the application. I help organize the facts and documents necessary for same. Further, if the application country-specific "checklist" obtained from the US Department of State country officer for where the abducted child(ren) are at, includes that the application also be submitted in another language besides English, I assist the client in finding a professional translator for this purpose. I have never had a client's application to the Dept of State "rejected." In addition, the United States' Central Authority (the US Dept of State) does not make a decision on the adequacy of evidence for habitual residence. That is for the court where the actual Hague petition will be filed - another reason why this person's "review" is quite a bit "off" - or as Dr. Spock from Star Trek would say - "quite illogical." I also have never had a case requiring "other attorneys and additional international travel" to fix things. The only "other attorneys" would be the ones who filed the actual Hague petition in the country where the children are located. That said, I always refer my clients to equally qualified "local" overseas counsel in the country where the children have been wrongfully retained or abducted to for filing of the Hague "petition" in their court system. If this person still thinks I ever represented him or her, I ask that they at least have the decency to call me directly rather than remain "anonymous." I have devoted and continue to devote a good part of my practice and time to help my clients go through what I consider a parent's "second" worst nightmare. I also have and continue to publish scholarly articles and teach on international child custody law. As such I please ask that anyone reading the Anonymous review focus instead on my experience and qualifications and my other real reviews.

Posted by Joy | February 24, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility

Beware - Not reliable

We hired and paid money upfront believing his every word and assuming he would be professional and live up to his word. But immediately after we paid he failed in following up with every single action item he promised. I called and multiple times left voice messages and my calls weren't returned nor ...were my emails answered. When I was able to get hold of them - they would ask me send another baseless document and from lawyer side nothing was done at all. Completely frustrated we started looking for other lawyers and they asked me to ask for refund and the lawyer never responded to refund and again wouldnt call or email reply back. And from lawyer side literally no action was taken and issue got resolved on its own. When he promised to provide a service he didnt and but wanted payment for it? Absoluetly unprofessional and I contacted the BAR association and left complaint as well. Dont trust this lawyer and dont make poayment upfront and once he gets paid he just disappears you cant even catch hold of him in office. Beware and stay away from this lawyer

Posted by Sahil | December 29, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Family

David is the best

David represented me in a family law matter. This guy is a sweetheart to his clients but a beast to the opposing party. As far as fees, he is willing to work with you. The guy below reviewing David must have been a real pain in his rear because when I told David my funds were getting low, he offered ...something no other family law attorney would offer and I am not going to speak of it on here. additionally David was there for me 7 days a week and at odd hours. I wish David the best, even though he won't have lunch with me. I enjoyed his company but I get attached to good people. He's a busy guy so I can appreciate that. And remember everyone, he prepares for his clients like he is facing the 2'nd best attorney in family law. David being the 1st. Best wishes all, Sahil

Posted by Garg | March 14, 2013 | Child Custody

David Schaffer is all you need!

David is the shield between your ex and your child(ren). When my mom and I met David, we were impressed. He takes the time to evaluate every case and will prepare you for successful outcomes. He will keep your fears away and calm you down in every situation. He is not an attorney that will have sym...pathy for the opposing party and that is very hard to find. If you don't hire David for your custody/order of protection/visitation matter you will make a big mistake. He is very personable and I am proud I hired him. He stands out, and is extremely confident in court and he is all you need . David shows the utmost respect, reliability, and trustworthiness and he won't give you an unrealistic outcome. He is outstanding and well respected by the judges & has a track record of success. Thank you David for all of your hard work!

See All Client Reviews

David N. Schaffer's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
James Patrick Nelson headshot
James Nelson

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. David is extremely acknowledgeable in the area of divorce and family law."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.3 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2012

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2007

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Education

1984

Indiana University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

1996

Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education

The 'Shrinking' of Child Custody Cases

Publications

1996

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Child, Spousal Support Law Work in Tandem

1996

DuPage County Bar Association Brief The Use of Revenue Rulings in Marital Appraisals

1995

Illinois Family Law Report Amended Supreme Court Discovery Rules

1995

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin An Analysis of the Legitimacy of 750 ILCS/5/505(a)(5)

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution