Jeffery M. Leving

PRO

Jeffery M. Leving

also known as Jeffery Leving

4.1
Rating: 5.7

Licensed for 46 years

Marriage and prenuptials Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Marriage & Prenuptials, Family, Divorce & Separation ... +2 more

225 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
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Virtual Consultation Available

About Jeffery

Biography

We are a nationally-recognized family law firm dealing in divorce, child custody & visitation rights

Divorce is hard & we are well-equipped to handle the complex legal struggles that our clients face

With over 30 years of experience and dedication to family law, our goal is to safeguard your rights.

We are a nationally-recognized family law firm dealing in divorce, child custody & visitation rights.

We are a nationally-recognized family law firm dealing in divorce, child support & visitation rights.

We are a nationally-recognized family law firm dealing in divorce, child custody & visitation rights.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

20%
Child Support 20%

20%
Divorce and Separation 20%

20%
Family 20%

20%
Marriage and Prenuptials 20%

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 46 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1979

Active And Authorized To Practice Law, With Disciplinary Probation Conditions

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Location

Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.

225 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60606

www.dadsrights.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Jeffery online.

Jeffery M. Leving's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.1 /5.0

44 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (44) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Keith | September 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family

Great lawyers

Outstanding law firm. Anthony D'Agostino sat down with me and was a great listener. He answered my questions and explained a lot of the process, what's next and what my rights are. He's fighting for me and really made me feel comfortable. They fight for father's rights.

Posted by A.D. | September 06, 2017 | Divorce & Separation

Consultation

I had a consultation with Anthony D'Agostino from Jeffery M. Leving's law firm. Unfortunately, I was pro se on my divorce and custody case. I had spoken with several attorneys prior but this was the first time I actually felt like a professional lawyer was listening to the details of my case and pro...viding genuine helpful feedback. I did not get the feeling he was trying to evaluate how profitable the case might be as a prospective client. His insight and feedback was very useful even after the judgement order in my divorce case was entered. Divorce is difficult at best for nearly everyone but knowing you have a reasonable opportunity to be treated fairly owing to good representation by your attorney can help you get through those trying times. Anthony D' Agostino can certainly provide you with that confidence.

Posted by Danny | March 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Amazing Result!

I hired Jeffery Leving after a previous lawyer did nothing for my case. I really didn't have much hope but Jeffery Leving gave me hope. I still was not sold until we got to court and to my surprise the results were amazing. I now see my 3 kids every weekend and some weekdays. My relationship with... my children is stronger than it has ever been. I am spending the first Easter in years with them and cannot wait! I owe all of this to Jeffery Leving and his team of lawyers who gave me hope when I had none and then delivered on their promises. I could not be happier with the result and am so grateful a firm like this exists to help fathers! I'm telling all my friends about this firm and would if I ever need a lawyer again (hopefully not) I will not hesitate to call this firm. They are the pioneers for fathers and know the system inside and out. After my case I learned Jeffery Leving even helped write some of the visitation laws in Illinois and judges have worked at his firm. I now know why they are the best. Thank you for reading my long post. I hope this is helpful to you and you avoid the low level lawyers and hire the best. God bless you!

Posted by James Tafland | June 04, 2015 | Family

Child Custody Client

DEFINITLEY WORTH THE INVESTMENT I love being a dad, I have been very generous with my finances, and have been making regular child support payments of more than 20 percent of my net income since our daughter’s birth. After our daughter was born, I was only allowed to come over and visit for an hou...r or so whenever it was convenient for the mother and the mother would often make excuses and tell me that it was not a good day for a visit. I was crushed, depressed, and heart broken by the severely restricted and limited visitation/parenting time. After reading Jeff’s book “Fathers Rights” I contacted the law offices of Jeffery M. Leving I was glad to finally find a law firm that truly cared about and appreciated my role as the father of this child. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving took the time to listen to and understand my concerns and goals as a father. They truly recognized and appreciated my desire to maintain a significant presence in my daughter’s life. I was given the opportunity to meet Mr. Leving and briefly describe my case and thank him for all the hard work that he continues to do for fathers. Mr. Leving expressed sympathy for me and my situation and assured me that his law firm would work diligently for me. They did. The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving made sure that I was educated and prepared for the highly emotional and frustrating battle a head of me. Below, are a few things that these other attorneys told me: 1) Not to expect a court order for visitation for at least 60 days after filing my first petition. 2) They are sorry, there is nothing that they can do, it’s not fair, and that is just the way the system works. 3) It’s very difficult with a child this young. 4) I am sorry you just lack the biology necessary to care for a child of this young age. 5) I have handled hundreds and thousands of family law cases throughout my career and the outcomes for cases like yours are very typical with limited visitation especially with a child this young. My Initial Consultation with the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving was with a highly respectable and very experienced attorney Anthony (Tony) D’Agastino. During my initial consultation, Tony did the following: 1) Listened to and wrote down every important detail of my lengthy story and concerns. 2) Expressed sincere concern and even expressed sympathy for my situation and the events that I had already endured. 3) Asked questions and made sure that he understood the details correctly. 4) Clearly explained the law and what he would do to get me a court order for visitation/parenting time as soon as possible. 5) Discussed my options as well as how he could use the law to address my concerns and achieve my goals. For example, he told me he would file a motion for an emergency hearing to establish visitation/parenting time as soon as possible. – none of the other attorneys I interviewed offered this. 6)Listened to my goals and helped me clarify and establish clear achievable goals. My case was assigned to a senior attorney Lawrence (Larry) Rosen. As my attorney, Larry did the following: 1)Continued to work closely with Tony and the rest of the firm to make sure that my concerns were addressed quickly and that my case was handled with upmost importance. 2)Wrote a petition for parentage that addressed all of my goals and concerns and worked with me to make minor modifications and answered all my questions about the petition before filing it with the court. 4)WE RECEIVED A COURT ORDER FOR VISITATION/PARENTING TIME EXACTLY THIRTY ONE WORKING DAYS AFTER MY EX WAS FIRST SERVED WITH MY INITIAL PETITION. I HOPE THAT ANOTHER FATHER READS THIS AND BENEFITS FROM THE TENACITY, EXPERIENCE, AND PASSION THAT THE LAW OFFICES OF JEFFERY M. LEVING HAS FOR REUNITING FATHERS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

Posted by Andy | March 26, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Great service! They really care!

I'm glad I took the advice and hired Leving. They offered great service and the results are better than I expected (although I admit my expectations were not very high being a man). The attorney my case was assigned to was very understanding and ran circles around the other attorney in court. The ...other side was visibly shaken by my attorneys well prepared arguments. The ordeal is over but if I had to do this again (I hope I never do) but I'd call Levin in a minute. They really care!

See All Client Reviews

Jeffery M. Leving's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jeffery
Anthony Sylvio D'Agostino headshot
Anthony D'Agostino

Family lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Co-worker

"It's been an honor working side-by-side with Jeffery Leving for 15 years fighting for fathers and reuniting children with their dads.. Decades ago, Jeffery's passion in helping reunite Elian Gonzalez with his father in Cuba has now grown exponentially into his daily fight and firm mission to allow all fathers the ability make a difference in the lives of their own children. There is no better attorney than Jeffery Leving!"

Jeffrey Lee Paustian headshot
Jeffrey Paustian

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 17

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I commend the philanthropic efforts of Jeffery M. Leving supporting WGN's Toy Drive last Friday, December 14th. I know it was important to him giving toys to fatherless children, who, tragically, won't receive toys from their dads, but who hopefully will be reunited with their dads some day soon! https://t.co/9YipN3EpfH"

James Mitchell Hagler headshot
James Hagler

Family lawyer | Dec 17

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Jeffery Leving for almost 3 decades. His commitment to his clients and their legal causes is outstanding, and everyone at his firm believes in helping fathers maintain strong relationships with their children. Jeffery and his attorneys will protect your legal interests and work with you to achieve your goals. He is a brilliant lawyer and will fight so that your children, and your relationship with them, will not be put at risk."

Andrea N. Giammicchio-Heckman headshot
Andrea Giammicchio-Heckman

Family lawyer | Dec 17

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer because he not only fights with integrity for children, but because he is highly educated and always contemplates issues from all angles. It is an honor to work for Jeff."

Arthur Sherman Kallow headshot
Arthur Kallow

Family lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I very strongly endorse this lawyer. Jeffery Leving is the hardest working lawyer I’ve ever known. He insists that the clients of the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. receive the highest quality representation and works tirelessly to have his firm provide such quality representation. I have practiced law for 45 years and have dealt with thousands of attorneys across the country and I can honestly say that Jeff Leving possesses the highest legal skills as well as being by far the best legal strategist that I’ve met. He also is the most concerned attorney I know when it comes to the well-being of the firm’s clients and their children. I am proud to be associated with Jeff and to be part of his firm since 2004."

Maureen Ann Gorman headshot
Maureen Gorman

Family lawyer | Jul 17

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I highly endorse this lawyer. I have worked for Jeffery M. Leving for 9 years. Nationally known and respected as one of the foremost family law attorneys in the country, Mr. Leving is a passionate and compelling advocate who has devoted his 30+ year career to reuniting fathers and children nationally and internationally, strengthening families, and achieving social change. Named one of "America's Best Lawyers" by Forbes Radio™, Mr. Leving has won victories in many high profile cases. He has also achieved countless successes for loving, hard-working fathers all over the country. Mr. Leving takes on many cases in which the father is struggling for the best interests of his children, regardless of how difficult or complex the case may appear. He brings his incredible skill, intense passion, and finely honed strategies to every case, to protect these fathers' rights and to preserve their relationships with their children."

Mark A. Petrolis headshot
Mark Petrolis

Family lawyer | Jul 14

Relationship: Co-worker

"It is a privilege for me to work with Jeffery Leving and the best family law firm in the nation. Mr. Leving is indefatigable when it comes to protecting his clients. He works non-stop to make sure none of his clients become a target looking for an arrow. He has your back. His legal acumen is second to none, by winning cases that are intensely complex or viewed as a hopeless cause to others. His track record over the last 30 years is evidence of this, particularly, the Elian Gonzalez case he won. There, everybody thought it was an impossible case to win. Mr. Leving continues to win the “unwinnable” cases. As a result, Mr. Leving has saved countless children from dangerous situations. He has reunited families across the world. If you think your case cannot be won, speak to Mr. Leving. Not only does he provide the legal expertise that he only can, he provides the path to people who feel their family law matter is hopeless. Mr. Leving is the sword and the shield that every client needs."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Jeffery. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Joseph Henry Sparacino headshot
Joseph Sparacino

Family lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. In the 7 years I have been a member of the Leving Firm I have worked with the most dedicated advocate of Father's Rights and protector of children I have seen in 23 years as an attorney. Under his leadership I have achieved results for the firm's clients I would have not thought possible before. His thoroughness, skillfull use of all resources available, and dedication to the simple goal of keeping fathers in children's lives and keeping them safe is inspiring. Jeffery M. Leving never sees a situation as hopless, seeing a way to move the mountain that the Courts can be to achieve the goals of his clients."

James John Knibbs headshot
James Knibbs

Child custody lawyer | Nov 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jenet Gonzalez Pequeno headshot
Jenet Pequeno

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Jeffery M. Leving is a tireless and fearless advocate on behalf of father's everywhere. He never gives up and never gives an inch. I have seen him work miracles for father's who were desperate and were losing hope. He and I fought for a military father to have the right to have his boy baptized in the Catholic faith. Not only did our client obtain the right to baptize his little boy in the Catholic faith, he also received the right to raise him in the Catholic faith! Even if the situation seems desperate, Jeffery Leving will fight to find a way!"

Andrey Bohdan Filipowicz headshot
Andrey Filipowicz

Family lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have worked with Jeffery Leving for ten years. During this time I have witnessed Mr. Leving leading by example, and the resulting professional growth of the talented attorneys at his firm. Mr. Leving has contributed to my own personal growth in the arena of family law, as I evolved from a solo general practitioner to a member of the finest team of matrimonial attorneys I have ever been privileged to work with. In addition to providing strategic guidance, I have seen Mr. Leving taking charge of individual cases when necessary, and caring deeply and passionately about his work and the individuals his work touches. While his firm may have had thousands of clients, I have seen Mr. Leving go out of his way and devote his personal time to see to it that individual children are not victimized, and to see to it that a sometimes indifferent and callous system is held accountable. Due to his zealous hard work and "thinking out of the box" he has earned victories for clients who had lost hope."

View All Endorsements
Joseph Henry Sparacino headshot
Joseph Sparacino

Divorce and separation lawyer

Arthur Sherman Kallow headshot
Arthur Kallow

Family lawyer

Jenet Gonzalez Pequeno headshot
Jenet Pequeno

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  5.7 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Partial Stayed Suspension and Probation issued in IL, 2024

updated on 10/22/2024

This type of suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time, and must meet State ordered requirements. While on probation, the State monitors the lawyer's activities in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2024

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

House Resolution 0995 Honors - Jeffery Leving, Illinois House of Representatives

2012

National Lifetime Call to Service Award, President Obama

2005

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

N/A

America's Best Lawyers, Forbes Radio

N/A

Award for Meritorious Service to the Public and Legal Community, Illinois State Bar Association

N/A

Protection of the Family, Illinois State Crime Commission

Work Experience

1986 - Present

Attorney/President, Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.

Associations

2004 - Present

Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood

Chair

1979 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Member

1979 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

Federal Bar Association

Member

Education

1979

Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology

JD - Juris Doctor

1974

Southern Illinois University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2015

The 3rd Annual Caribbean Healthy Fathers & Families Conference - San Juan - Puerto Rico

The Impacts of Divorce on Children

2015

16TH Annual Fathers and Families Conference in Los Angeles, California

Parental Alienation: A Growing Epidemic Destroying Children’s Self-Esteem and Families

2014

Fathers & Families Coalition of America National Conference

A Father's Role in Preventing Family Violence

2012

West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association

Child Custody and Visitation

2012

13th Annual Fathers & Families Conference in Los Angeles, CA

Responsible Fatherhood

2011

Women’s Law Symposium

Equality

2011

Strengthening Fathers to Strengthen Families Forum

Fatherhood Empowerment

2011

Fatherhood Involvement Forum

Rights of Non-Custodial Parents

2011

Father Factors Forum

Co-Authorship of Illinois Laws

2011

7th Annual Southwestern Fatherhood Institute Training Conference

Importance of Co-Parenting and Healthy Relationships for Children

2010

Fathers Who Care: Expo for Today’s Man

Parenting Rights and Responsibilities

2009

Men Making a Difference in the Lives of Children

Father Involvement in Chicago Public Schools

2008

Southwestern Fatherhood Institute Training

Dads Make A Difference

Publications

2020

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Bill would lower interest on unpaid child support

2020

2015

Chicago Tribune - Beacon News Abused Boy Reunited With Loving Father

2015

Chicago Tribune - Des Plaines Single Mom Wronged – Parenting Rights Restored

2012

Jossey-Bass, a Wiley imprint How to Be A Good Divorced Dad

2012

1998

Basic Books Fathers' Rights

Languages

English

Spanish

Polish

Portuguese

Russian

German

Activity

Avvo Rating

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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
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    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