$ 250-250 per hour
About David
Biography
Appellate & Trial Practice
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Appeals
100%
16 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 16 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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David Matthew Gotzh's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 37 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Beth | August 24, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Review of Guardian ad Litem Conduct – David Gotz (Will County, IL)
As a litigant and court observer, I have serious concerns regarding the professional conduct of GAL David Gotz in matters involving both pro se litigants and attorneys. It appears he has a pattern of: Openly showing bias against self-represented parties and financially disadvantaged litigants. ...
Posted by anonymous | June 1, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Terrible lawyer. Can't be trusted. Has been sued.
Gotzh is a terrible lawyer. There is an online petition that explains why he should not be allowed to practice law. He has been sued by his client before. Google shows his office is permanently closed but he is still out there. Buyer beware.
David Gotzh
Replied last August 28, 2023This person isn't a client because I've never, ever, been sued by a client. I have been sued by angry pro se opposing parties - that happens a lot when you represent working class custody cases. They all get thrown out without having to go to court (in Illinois it's called absolute litigation privilege - sadly it doesn't stop them from trying regardless). I retired from trial practice in 2020'ish, and upgraded to appellate practice. Nothing wrong with representing working class parents, but it was volume work, and very difficult to get out of - poor people can only refer their friends, who not surprisingly, are also poor. In 2020 I won my first published appeal, and decided it was time to move up. I did, won more appeals, and now my clients come from State Appointment or referrals from trial lawyers - the money is far better, the stress is far lower, and aside from this commenter, the drama level is practically zero. Best part, no one sent over to me cares about online reviews. All they care about is results. It's a nice change of pace.
Posted by anonymous | November 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Unreliable
I hired him a couple years ago and once he got his payment for services, it took him over a month to file my motions. Once he QUIT because he said we were like oil and water, I was able to defeat the states attorney by myself without even going to law school. It's the best bet to hire someone local i...
Posted by Justin | October 3, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
The Best There Is
Mr. Gotzh is hands down the best attorney I ever hired. I hired him to file an Appeal on a 50/50 order and a contempt charge. Mr. Gotzh was successful in winning both counts of the appeal. Getting a precedential ruling out of the 3rd District Court of Appeals. And managing to get the GAL recommendat...
Posted by Renee | December 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Reasonably priced and fair
I hired Mr. Gotzh back in 2013 for my divorce. He straight up told me this was such a simple case(minus us having an infant), that he thought I’d be fine on my own. That sort of honesty is tough to come by. I still decided to retain him for my peace of mind as I was dealing with an unpredictable e...
David Matthew Gotzh's Lawyer Endorsements
"A perfect example of a specializing lawyer who has mastered his subject matter. I am always anxious to read his answers because I know they are going to be true to the statute and case law. I don't practice in this are but I surely admire the way David does."
"Mr. Gotzh is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services."
"I highly endorse Mr. Gotzh. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."
"A highly experienced, well-rounded and compassionate attorney. I endorse this lawyer"
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"This lawyer is knowledgeable, efficient and talented. I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Gotzh continues to show that he is knowledgeable and experienced in the realm of family law through the answering of his avvo questions. I have no reservation endorsing this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is well respected among his peers."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. It is clear by reading the answers in the AVVO community that this lawyer is a top notch attorney who is highly respected in the legal community."
"With a great track record of hundreds of published answers to consumer questions on Avvo.com and the recommendations from clients and attorneys alike, it is easy to see that attorney Gotzh is skilled and knows the law well, too. Kudos."
"I have had the privilege of watching David Gotzh in court and reading his contributions online both here at Avvo and on other professional listservs. Mr. Gotzh is a consummate professional with a wealth of knowledge. I would not hesitate to refer clients to him and highly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Gotzh consistently and continually provides accurate and reliable information in his answers on Avvo. He is very knowledgeable not only in the law, but also how it is applied and interpreted by the local judiciary."
"I continually amazed at the brevity and clarity of the answers on Avvo by attorney Gotzh. Always helpful, accurate and to the point, I am pleased to endorse this service-oriented lawyer. I"
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2011
Certification in Mediation & Arbitration, Illinois State Bar Association
2011
Advanced Family Law Practioners Conference, Illinois State Bar Association
2011
Certification - Pets and the IMDMA, Illinois State Bar Association
2010
Certification in Child Visitation, Abuse, and Kidnapping, Prairie State Legal Services
2010
Title IV Child Support Certification, Chicago Bar Association
2010
Certification: Issues Impacting Children & Custody, Illinois State Bar Association
2009
Guardian Ad Litem Certification, Illinois State Bar Association
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Attorney, Prairie State Legal Services Inc
2010 - Present
President, Law Office of David Gotzh
2009 - 2010
Attorney, Cabrini Green Legal Aid
2008 - 2008
Associate, Capital University School of Law Poverty Clinic
Associations
2018 - Present
Appellate Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - Present
North Suburban Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Will County Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Kankakee County Bar AssociationVice Chair
2009 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationCo-chair
2001 - Present
American LegionChair
Sample of Legal Cases
IRFMO Aref, 1-15-1357
Reversal of Support and Maintenance
Education
2008
Capital University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor - Juris Doctor
2005
Valparaiso University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
American Legion Benefit
American Legion Benefit
Publications
2014
Accounts Recovery
Collecting Illinois Debts
2013
Elite Daily
The Paradox of Child Support Enforcement
2011
Inside Track: State Bar of Wisconsin
Crazy eyes: Why effective client intake is critical
2010
American Bar Association Journal
Warning Signs
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Criminal Contempt
02 Jun 2022
Q&A
How do I officially object to a post judgment fee with the court?
12 May 2022
Q&A
Settlement Negotiation Help
30 Mar 2021
Legal Guides
Video Legal Guide
Illinois Driver's License Suspension - 2017 Edition
25 Aug 2011
Video Legal Guide
Challenging Illinois Attorney Fee Pleadings - 2017 Edition
24 Aug 2011
Video Legal Guide
Lawyers Sanding Clients - 2017 Edition
24 Aug 2011