Leon I. Finkel Partner

lfinkel@bergerschatz.com

PRACTICE AREAS: Divorce, Domestic Relations, Family Law, Matrimonial Law

Leon I. Finkel is co-managing partner of Berger Schatz. Mr. Finkel counsels clients in all areas of family and matrimonial law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, marital settlements, asset valuations and distributions, parenting agreements, child-custody and child-support matters, and family law settlements. An experienced litigator, he regularly represents individuals in trials and appeals.

Mr. Finkel is a member of the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association (Family Law Section). He is a fellow and member of the Board of Managers of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Illinois Chapter), and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer every year since 2006 and has been named among the Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers in 2011. Mr. Finkel has been named to the Leading Lawyers Network and is one of a select group of attorneys to earn a peer rating of AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®. While in law school, he was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award for Family Law.

A frequently published author, Mr. Finkel has written numerous articles on topics ranging from depositions, motions, and business assets, to child support orders, among others. He lectures regularly on family and matrimonial law.

Mr. Finkel serves on the Law & Justice Committee of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Haven Youth and Family Services of Winnetka, Illinois, and was a member of the Board of Education of District 219 Niles North and Niles West (Illinois) High Schools from 1998 to 2003.

Education

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1983
• Northern Illinois University, B.S., magna cum laude, 1980

Bar admissions

Mr. Finkel is admitted to practice in Illinois.

Publications

• "Taking the force out of divorce", Crain's Chicago Business (May 2010). Read More
• "Changing Pension Beneficiaries After Divorce: It's More Important After Kennedy", Illinois Bar Journal (September 2009). Read More
• "Unraveling the Confusion of When Judgments are Stayed by Motions to Reconsider," Illinois Bar Journal (March 2007).
• "The Case for Allowing Expert Assistance at Depositions," Family Law Section Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association (March 2004). Read More
• "Goodwill of a Business as a Divisible Asset," Illinois Family Law Report (June 1996).
• "Assessing Frequent Flier Miles for Divorce," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (January 2, 1996).
• "Child Support Orders Based on Percentage of Pay 'Okay'," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (January 20, 1995).
• "Life Insurance as Security for Maintenance," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (July 22, 1994).
• "Agreements to Go Below Support Guidelines: Are Findings Necessary?" Family Law Section Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association (September 1990).

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