Jeffrey Ray Esser

PRO

Jeffrey Ray Esser

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Family Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation

33 N Dearborn St, Suite 900, Chicago, IL

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Jeffrey

Biography

A trusted attorney to help you through a stressful time in your life

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 50%

If you are looking to end your marriage, Attorney Esser can help you through this. Chances are good it will be an emotionally trying and difficult period in your life. You will need a lawyer that is compassionate yet aggressive.

50%
Family 50%

Attorney Esser is a premier family law attorney that can help you with your family legal needs. He has over 14 years of experience helping people in Illinois through their family issues. Give him a call now.

21 years | 100 cases

50%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 325-375 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2021 2020
...
+ 5

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 20 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2005

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Jeffrey R. Esser

33 N Dearborn St, Suite 900, Chicago, IL, 60602

esserlegal.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Jeffrey online.

Jeffrey Ray Esser's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

108 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by Anu | February 27, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Jeff made a difficult divorce much easier to handle

Jeff is an exceptional divorce attorney. He is knowledgeable, strategic, and truly advocates for his clients. He handled my case with professionalism and care, and I always felt informed and protected throughout the process. I highly recommend him to anyone needing strong and reliable representation!...

Posted by anonymous | December 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Knowledgeable, thorough and calm attorney

Due to pandemic I thought processing divorce documents was more complicated because of lockdown and limited in-person consultations, I was wrong because Jeff walked me through the entire process. The night I decided to end my marriage, I went online and searched for lawyers with good reviews. I too...k a chance on him based from good reviews. I sent him a message late that night and as far as I remember that was Sunday and to my surprised, he replied right away. I told to myself, I will hire him as my lawyer and from then on I stopped searching for another lawyer. I trusted him and I feel at ease sharing my marriage situation. He is very prompt answering my questions. He took time explaining legal things in a polite and a calm manner. Within 3 months of processing the marital agreements, my uncontested and inevitable divorce got approved. He was on track of everything and this helped me finalized my divorce at the target date. At the day of the prove up, I appreciated the fact that he is such a good listener mainly because Jeff was able to defend me before the judge. It was indeed a great relief after all the pain and disappointments. My marriage failed but somehow Jeff gave back my dignity. I can't thank you enough! More power to you!

Posted by Melinda | October 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Honest, Intelligent, Prepared, and Compassionate

Going through a divorce is incredibly difficult and emotional. The last thing you want to have to worry about is your lawyer. I had previously hired a lawyer to take on my divorce case. The lawyer was unresponsive, and continually made errors in my paperwork. It was so difficult managing this divo...rce and my previous lawyer. I did some research, and came across Jeff— and I’m so glad that I did. Jeff welcomed me with open arms. He was prepared. He had gotten my voicemail and had looked up my case in the court docket. He gave me a quote and we began the process. I was immediately impressed by Jeff and his knowledge. The judge in my case was quite difficult, so Jeff had to do A LOT of extra work that wasn’t anticipated in my quote. However, he never charged me more. He was always responsive. He called me frequently and gave me email updates. I have high standards. Jeff immediately put me at ease. It was nice to finally have this burden lifted off of my shoulders. I can actually say that I have nothing bad to say— and how rare is that!? Jeff was everything an attorney should be: responsive, intelligent, educated, informed, and compassionate. He gives me hope for the legal field. Don’t hesitate. This guy is honest and I can’t recommend him enough!

Posted by anna | May 20, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Uncontested Divorce

excellent and easy to work with

I called Jeffrey because I was looking to have a quick and not expensive uncontested divorce. After he asked me a few questions so that i understood what uncontested divorce was he said that I indeed did fit that category. I was divorced in less that 5 weeks from the date of my first phone call. ... The longest part of the 5 weeks was that it took me a week to get him the signed papers. He was very nice and gives you a sheet explaining what to expect and how to fill out everything and what court is like etc. It was like "paint by numbers". Very easy. At court, he was with me the entire time which was less than 30 minutes total even with the wait time. In front of the judge it was less than 5. He charged me exactly what he said it would cost. I really have zero complaints and wish I had something to say so this seems believable. Possibly, the only thing is that he should mention that it takes a little time to find the actual city court offices where the divorce happens other than that- it was flawless. I highly recommend him.

Posted by Lauren | December 06, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Uncontested Divorce

Excellent experience all around

I had an uncontested, amicable divorce, and from our first phone consultation up through my prove-up in court, Jeff made everything as simple and easy as he could. He answered all my questions and made sure I understood every step of the process, he took care of all the paperwork (including sending... the settlement to my out-of-town ex), and worked out times to meet that fit both our schedules. When I arrived in court for my final prove-up, I was nervous until Jeff walked in. After he arrived, I felt calm and secure knowing things would go smoothly (which they did). I'm very glad I chose to hire Jeff to handle my case and would highly recommend him to anyone going through an uncontested divorce.

See All Client Reviews

Jeffrey Ray Esser's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jeffrey
Jenet Gonzalez Pequeno headshot
Jenet Pequeno

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jeff is a gentleman and a scholar. I have had two cases where I was opposing counsel to Jeff and the two cases could not have been more different. One of the cases was a legitimate, "War of the Roses" and the other was a slightly contested matter which resolved in just a few months. He is tenacious and not afraid to go to trial. He always advocates hard for his clients and for that, I strongly endorse him."

Jonathan Douglas Nye headshot
Jonathan Nye

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Jeffrey on a case in which I was a guardian ad litem. He was very capable handled a very high stress and acrimonious case with dignity understanding and with great advocacy."

Jonathan Neil Schatz headshot
Jonathan Schatz

Family lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Morgan Elizabeth Given headshot
Morgan Given

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Jeffrey was opposing counsel on a complex divorce involving out of state removal. Jeffrey was very responsive, allowing us to finish the case extremely quickly."

Adnan A. Shams headshot
Adnan Shams

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have consulted with Mr. Esser on several occasions and have found him to be highly knowledgeable in his practice. I highly endorse Jeffrey particularly for his attention to detail."

Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Family lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Esser. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."

View All Endorsements
Amil Alkass headshot
Amil Alkass

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kristina Buchthal Regal headshot
Kristina Regal

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jonathan Douglas Nye headshot
Jonathan Nye

Child custody lawyer

Jenet Gonzalez Pequeno headshot
Jenet Pequeno

Family lawyer

Jonathan Neil Schatz headshot
Jonathan Schatz

Divorce and separation lawyer

Morgan Elizabeth Given headshot
Morgan Given

Divorce and separation lawyer

Julie Owen Herrera headshot
Julie Herrera

Wrongful termination lawyer

Adnan A. Shams headshot
Adnan Shams

Business lawyer

Modupe A. Sobo headshot
Modupe Sobo

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers

2012

Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

2010

Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Managing Partner, Law Office of Jeffrey R. Esser

Associations

2012 - Present

Illinois State Bar Associate

Member

2009 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Member

Education

2005

University of Southern California Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Northwestern University

B.A.

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

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