Matthew David Elster

Matthew David Elster

4.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 15 years

Appeals Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Appeals, Family, Litigation

161 N. Clark Street, #2600, Chicago, IL

About Matthew

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Appeals 50%

Mr. Elster handles all matters of civil appeals and has over 4 years of appellate experience, both as a law clerk to an Illinois State Appellate Court Justice and in private practice. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Appellate Lawyers Association.

15 years | 50 cases

50%
Family 25%

13 years | 25 cases

25%
Litigation 25%

13 years | 25 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 15 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2010

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP

161 N. Clark Street, #2600, Chicago, IL, 60601

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Matthew David Elster's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | March 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Effective Divorce Attorney

Matt was professional and efficient in handling my divorce case. He was the second attorney on the case and my request was that he "land the plane" after a failed attempt via a different strategy. Divorce is challenging and emotional. I'm so glad I hired Matt and that he was able to get the job done....

Posted by anonymous | June 3, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A Hidden Gem in the Legal Industry: The Family Lawyer Who Saved My Child's Life

In a family law world where fame and popularity often overshadow true talent and dedication, I had the privilege of working with a lawyer who proved that true heroes exist in the shadows. This unsung hero's unwavering dedication, expertise, compassion, strategic approach, advocacy skills, and persona...lized attention were the guiding lights that led us to a successful outcome and, most importantly, saved my child's life. Matt’s impact on our lives cannot be overstated, and I will forever be grateful for his exceptional service. In a world where family law cases can be emotionally charged and complex, finding a competent and compassionate lawyer is crucial. I was fortunate enough to find a hidden gem in the legal industry, a family lawyer who not only fought tirelessly for justice but also played a pivotal role in saving my child's life from an abusive mother. This review aims to shed light on the remarkable qualities and unwavering dedication of Matthew Elster. From the very first consultation, it was evident that Matt had a commitment to fighting for what was right. His genuine passion for justice shone through every word he spoke. Unlike many lawyers, who may view their profession as merely a job, he approached his cases with a deep sense of purpose and compassion that transcended the boundaries of the courtroom because he has little children of his own. Throughout the entire legal process, Matt demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge and expertise in family law. He guided me through the complexities of the system, ensuring that I understood every step of the process. His extensive experience in dealing with cases involving child abuse was evident, as he skillfully navigated the legal landscape with utmost care and precision. What truly set Matt apart was his genuine empathy and compassion for the well-being of my child. He took the time to listen to what happened, empathize with the struggles, and understand the gravity of the situation. Matt recognized the urgency of the matter and worked tirelessly to protect the safety and welfare of my child. His support and guidance throughout the ordeal were invaluable. Every aspect of our case was handled with meticulous attention to detail by Matt. He left no stone unturned, ensuring that every piece of evidence was thoroughly examined and every legal avenue was explored. His diligence in gathering information, preparing for court proceedings, and cross-examining witnesses was commendable. I felt reassured knowing that no aspect of my case was overlooked or taken lightly. In the courtroom, Matt’s advocacy skills were second to none. His ability to articulate my case, present evidence convincingly, and counter the opposition's arguments with precision was remarkable. His calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his unwavering dedication to the truth, left a lasting impact on the judge, ultimately leading to a favorable outcome protecting my child. One aspect that truly impressed me was Matt’s accessibility and open communication. He promptly responded to my queries and kept me informed about the progress of my case at every step. His ability to break down complex legal jargon into simple terms allowed me to understand the intricacies of the legal process, empowering me to make informed decisions. Matt consistently went above and beyond his call of duty. He invested considerable time and effort in thoroughly investigating the case, consulting his legal network, and gathering evidence to build a solid foundation for our case. His commitment to the truth and tireless dedication to protecting my child's well-being were evident throughout the entire process. THANK YOU MATTHEW ELSTER! YOU ARE A LEGAL HERO!

Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Does not care for his client

I was promised the sky and the moon and then after missing on major components of a settlement, he failed to deliver at basics. Save your time and go somewhere there are humans who care.

Posted by David | April 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best ever

Simply awesome. Very knowledgeable. Results. Matt's "bedside" manner is fantastic, doesn't seem like your talking with an attorney. Extremely happy. Would use him again without hesitation.

See All Client Reviews

Matthew David Elster's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Matthew
Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Unknown lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."

Nicholas Peluso headshot
Nicholas Peluso

Appeals lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Elster is a fantastic attorney. If I was ever in need of a civil appeals attorney, he would be my first call."

Heather Jordan Rosen headshot
Heather Rosen

Appeals lawyer | Nov 15

Relationship: Co-worker

"Matt is smart, hard-working and eager. I wholeheartedly endorse him."

Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Family lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Elster. Very experienced and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients. Keep up a great work!"

Jordan David Rosenberg headshot
Jordan Rosenberg

Appeals lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Matthew is highly intelligent, thorough, organized and a zealous attorney for his client's rights. I highly endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Nicholas Peluso headshot
Nicholas Peluso

Criminal defense lawyer

Jonathan Drake Steele headshot
Jonathan Steele

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jordan David Rosenberg headshot
Jordan Rosenberg

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2012 - Present

Attorney at Law, Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP

2010 - 2012

Law Clerk to the Honorable Justice Joseph Gordon, Illinois Appellate Court

2009 - 2009

Legal Intern, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

2009 - 2010

Student Intern, Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic

Associations

2014 - Present

Appellate Lawyers Association

Board of Directors

2010 - Present

Notre Dame Club of Chicago

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Freedman v. Muller [2015 IL App (1st) 141410]

Affirmed

In re Marriage of Davidson [2014 IL App (2d) 130684-U]

Affirmed

In re Parentage of Rogan M. [2014 IL App (1st) 132765)

Dismissed

Hastings v. Jefco Equipment Company, Inc. [2013 IL App (1st) 121568]

Reversed and Remanded

See More Legal Cases

Education

2010

Notre Dame Law School

JD - Cum Laude

2005

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

BS - Bachelor of Science

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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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