Tracy Marie Rizzo

I used Tracy for my divorce about 13 years ago. She was incredibly professional and was very attentive to all of my needs. I even recall our first phone conversation I hired her when she told me "I am NOT your friend. When you talk to me it will cost you money." What lawyer does that???? Well, to mak...e a long story short, after my divorce was complete I received BACK some of my $5,000.00 retainer. Fantastic experience for a non-fantastic situation. HIGHLY recommend.

I had one attorney that initially handled my divorce and did a mediocre job, at best. I subsequently had post decree difficulties and sought out a better attorney to represent me going forward. I was given the contact information for Tracy from another divorce attorney and for that I am forever grate...ful! Tracy has been my attorney for years and has done an excellent job handling all of the issues that have come up during this time. She has a knowledge of the law that is second to none and knows precisely when and how to navigate the legal process. The divorce system is difficult at best and having Tracy represent me has made this whole experience much less draining. Tracy's expertise in this area has taken the fear and anxiety out of an emotionally laden part of my life. She also personalizes this process by asking about how I am doing and reminding me that there is a bigger picture to consider. With children involved, Tracy is careful to recognize what is in the best interest of the children and provides thoughtful, gentle guidance about how to proceed. Her attention to detail and preparation have provided the structure for my children to have the best opportunities for their needs to be met. This is something that I think can is often overlooked in the adversarial arena of divorce. I can't say enough about how Tracy has been considerate of the issues that impact both the children and the parents in a divorce. She has never added any fuel to the fire by being overly aggressive in pursuing what is a legal obligation, but instead, has maintained a professional and stoic presentation before the judge. Her organized preparation before a court appearance regarding a range of messy financial issues clearly helped the judge understand everything and in the end, make an appropriate ruling. I continue to use Tracy to represent me years after my divorce was finalized because she is simply the best. I also recommend Tracy to anyone that I know who is going through this difficult process because I know from experience that she will provide the same professional and personal comfort to whomever is fortunate to retain her.

Divorce is ugly and navigating the legal process is confusing. Tracy came highly recommended and I'm glad that I chose her. I would not have gotten through my divorce without her. When emotions got high, she stayed calm. When I got emotional, she calmed me down. Looking back, her advice was spot... on and even when in the moment it was tough to hear she was right. She knows her stuff. I respect her professionally. She's extremely competent, but I didn't just come to trust her, I also came to also like her. She was all I had to lean on during a very difficult time. Divorce doesn't just happen during normal business hours. Tracy was there 24/7. I have referred her often and that's the highest compliment you can pay to someone.

Having been in, and wasted a ton of money on, horrible situations with attorneys who didn't give a hoot, I deeply empathize with the unhappy customer above. I came crawling to Tracy after 4 raving clients of hers (all I knew) told me I must call her. In the almost 7 years working with her, I've nev...er heard of anyone unhappy with her, so I'm sorry for his position, I've been there, but Tracy SAVED me, nothing less. I had snazzy LA lawyer, made me sign off on alimony (in a young parent haze), he just wanted to be done with it. Then the big firm with 10 people to pay for each item that arose, and when I became emotional witnessing my case falling apart, I was threatened they'd fire me on the spot. I had to beg for forgiveness, at their bs mercy to finish the hearing. Then the one who couldn't stand up to the other side, 9 months of nothing done = 10 years of debt - WHICH I was just able to negotiate and pay off, because I listened to all the success stories and called Tracy. Yep, she's a straight shooter, no dysfunctional issues with client/attorney status, or internal company politics sucking her energies, or even, oops it's 5:01 can't reach her. I've reached out at every hour of any and every day and holiday, she has always immediately responded if it was urgent and always responded as soon as possible when non urgent. With Tracy's representation, I went from being really screwed - even spending some time representing myself, which made it all worse - to getting us legal orders that are fair, and protected us all. I was in debt, raising 2 kids alone, with a very well to do ex soaking it up. She rose above the other side's unprofessional, often unethical, ugly and mean behavior EVERY time. This family court system is rough and dirty. Tracy is even, objective, sticks to the facts when the other side goes bananas. There are times and situations that are not worth the fight, or the judge will not appreciate and can work against you - Tracy knows what those items are and warns me. That's what I need! That's why I'm paying, to be properly advised, so I don't waste more time and money. I need to count on my counsel to represent me best, to reel me in if needed, to advise with a right outcome. For what purpose? TO get this done and get us out of there! Not to drag on and on even further so everyone can continue billing. This system drags on enough, but Tracy doesn't drag, this I know after all these years. I have an ex addicted to court filings, his attorney gladly takes his money whenever he feels the urge, no matter how ridiculous. Tracy takes care of it, and the judge sees it all for what it is, she did that for me, I certainly couldn't have done it, nor any of the past 4 lawyers I had. I'm in a position where the judge respects my side and the clarity of my attorney, and sees clearly our case. I feel protected and heard by the judge, and have felt this way from Tracy since day 1. I trust her. I know uncaring, narcissistic, incompetent representation - she is the opposite, and I and my kids owe our current peace of mind to her diligence, discipline, and sincere caring for her clients, and clearly her love and respect for her profession. Much of her work ethic, especially her professionalism and neutrality in the work place, has been very inspiring for me, being in this tug of war role with my ex, all while trying to rebuild my life and career. I'm very grateful.

Divorce or custody is one of the most traumatic times one experiences in life, for me I was ignorant to the court system. I was a young man in a situation most find themselves in, I received custody papers from the court as my ex was seeking to part ways an seek all the financial support entitled by ...the state laws for support, I was very nervous and seemed advice from a family friend who knew of top notch attorneys, I wanted to retain the well advertised fathers rights attorney Jeffery Leving, I called the first attorney that I wrote down on the list of three I was referred. She stated she did not work in cook county but told me she would recommend me someone very capable of protecting my interest in this very sensitive and personal matter. I decided to use her recommendation and not pursue the other two I was referred, was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Tracy met with me and made me feel comfortable, she did not hide the fact that I had a battle against me if I wanted to pursue full custody. I never thought what would happen next would happen, my son told me he was abused by his mother's new boyfriend, for anyone who has ever had to deal with this as a mother of father I sympathize for you as no man woman nor child shall ever be abused. I did not plan to seek full custody but my sons safety is and was my number one priority. Tracy was on top of it, emergency motion was filed next day and a 604b evaluation. Tracy helped me with everything, I truly felt she cared about my sons well being, I've know many attorneys and most are greedy and see this at what it is to them, business. I never felt that way with Tracy. My case went on for 3 years, I was arrested twice for domestic issues which I was cleared from both compliments of Tracy and her staff she assembled. It is easy for anyone to get arrested during a divorce, motives for false claims to the authorities are obvious as the domestic dispute in court is ongoing and both parties attempting to get the upper hand, Tracy's expertise is what got me through it, we were able to prove the claims as a false attempt for her to get the upper hand in our custody dispute. I knew my sons life would be altered if he were to grow up in an unhealthy environment, its all that mattered to me and I think she knew that, it's hard to find a lawyer with a heart. If your children matter to you I wouldn't hire anyone else! Tracy won me custody of my son and he is doing great! That was over 10 years ago. He is now an AP student in a prominent private high school well on his was of being a positive member of our society , I am 100 percent sure that would not have happen if I chose another referrel, I consider her the best divorce attorney in the business. Thank you!