Maxine Weiss Kunz
Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC · Chicago, IL
Maxine Weiss Kunz is a Chicago family law attorney and certified mediator who co-founded Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC. She earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she completed a Certificate in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution and served on the Mock Trial Advocacy Team. She holds a double major in Psychology and Communications from Indiana University-Bloomington. She has been named to the Super Lawyers list every year from 2017 through 2025 and was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2023 -- both at the Illinois chapter and national level. She serves as Treasurer and Board of Directors member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). She is a certified mediator through the Center for Conflict Resolution and a court-approved mediator for DuPage, Kane, Will, and Cook counties. She was recognized as one of 40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch by the American Society of Legal Advocates in 2019. Her background in psychology informs her mediation approach, helping couples navigate the emotional dimensions of divorce alongside the legal complexities of asset division and custody arrangements.
- Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., ADR Certificate); Indiana University-Bloomington (B.A., Psychology & Communications)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, collaborative divorce, adoption law, complex custody disputes
- Location
- Chicago, Park Ridge, and Elmhurst, IL
- Website
- wkofamilylaw.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 18.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 19.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 13.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 13.5 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 13.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 9.5 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 5.0 / 5 |
| Total | 91.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Illinois State Bar records, Super Lawyers (2017-2025), AAML Fellow records, AFCC Board records, Center for Conflict Resolution certification, and Google Reviews. Last updated March 2026.
Angel M. Traub
A. Traub & Associates, P.C. · Lombard, IL
Angel M. Traub is a Lombard, Illinois family law attorney and certified mediator who founded A. Traub & Associates, P.C. She has over 20 years of family law experience and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer annually since 2020. She served as President of the DuPage County Bar Association in 2022-2023 and as Past President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers. She is a certified mediator for divorce, parental allocation, civil litigation, and family law disputes, and is court-approved in DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will counties. She is also a certified arbitrator for DuPage County and has been approved to the Cook County Financial Mediator list. She holds training and certification in collaborative divorce law. She was recognized by the American Society of Legal Advocates as a Top 100 Lawyer.
- Education
- The John Marshall Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2001); Northern Illinois University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1998); Collaborative divorce and mediation certifications
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, child custody mediation, collaborative divorce, estate planning, arbitration
- Location
- 200 W. 22nd Street, Suite 210, Lombard, IL 60148
- Website
- atclaw.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 17.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 17.5 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 13.5 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 12.5 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 8.5 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 5.0 / 5 |
| Total | 86.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Illinois State Bar records, Super Lawyers (2020-present), DuPage County Bar Association records, Google Reviews, and court-approved mediator registries. Last updated March 2026.
Gemma B. Allen
Allen, Glassman & Schatz, LLC · Chicago, IL
Gemma B. Allen is a Chicago family law attorney and certified mediator who co-founded Allen, Glassman & Schatz, LLC. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and her Bachelor of Science magna cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago. She is a court-certified mediator in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She has been repeatedly selected to Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the Leading Lawyers Network, and maintains an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She received the Judge Edward Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 for her creative and impactful contributions to family law. She was named by Crain's Chicago Business as one of Chicago's 100 Most Influential Women and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She has authored a book and over 100 articles on family law topics and has appeared on Oprah, CNN, ABC, and NBC. She served on the ISBA Family Law Section Council and co-chaired the Model Mediation Act sub-committee.
- Education
- University of Michigan Law School (J.D.); Loyola University of Chicago (B.S., magna cum laude)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, complex financial settlements, parenting matters, collaborative family law
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Website
- allenglassman.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 16.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 17.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 15.0 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 10.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 8.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 4.0 / 5 |
| Total | 82.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Illinois ARDC records, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent), Cook County Circuit Court mediator records, American Bar Foundation Fellow records, and Google Reviews. Last updated March 2026.
Jennifer R. Ward
Ward Family Law, LLC · Chicago, IL
Jennifer R. Ward is a Chicago family law attorney and certified mediator who founded Ward Family Law, LLC. She has practiced matrimonial and family law exclusively for over 20 years. She serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where she has taught family law legal writing since 2005. Her deep courtroom, lecturing, and publishing experience provides well-rounded expertise in settlement negotiation, document drafting, and mediation. Her firm handles divorce mediation, custody disputes, and complex asset division with a focus on achieving durable agreements that minimize post-decree conflict.
- Education
- UIC John Marshall Law School (J.D.); Adjunct Faculty, UIC School of Law (since 2005)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, child custody, complex asset division, family law litigation
- Location
- 155 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Suite 4250, Chicago, IL
- Website
- wardfamilylawchicago.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 16.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 15.0 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.5 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 14.0 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 7.0 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 3.5 / 5 |
| Total | 80.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Illinois ARDC records, UIC School of Law faculty listing, certified mediator registries, Google Reviews, and professional association memberships. Last updated March 2026.
Gail M. O'Connor
O'Connor Family Law, P.C. · Chicago, IL
Gail M. O'Connor is a partner at O'Connor Family Law, P.C., a Chicago firm dedicated to families in transition. With nearly 30 years of experience in family law, she guides clients through divorce and custody processes using mediation to find practical, lasting solutions. She is a Cook County certified mediator and has been named to the Super Lawyers list for her work in family law. She is particularly experienced in handling cases involving complex asset division, high-conflict custody disputes, and blended family issues. Her approach emphasizes reducing the emotional toll of divorce while ensuring equitable outcomes.
- Education
- DePaul University College of Law (J.D.); University of Illinois (B.A.)
- Specializations
- Divorce mediation, high-conflict custody, complex asset division, blended family issues
- Location
- 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 3216, Chicago, IL
- Website
- oconnorfamilylaw.com
Detailed Score Breakdown
| Category | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation Training & Certification | 20% | 15.0 / 20 |
| Professional Recognition | 20% | 14.5 / 20 |
| Specialization Depth | 15% | 12.0 / 15 |
| Years of Practice | 15% | 14.5 / 15 |
| Client Satisfaction | 15% | 11.0 / 15 |
| Pro Bono & Community | 10% | 6.5 / 10 |
| Professional Affiliations | 5% | 3.5 / 5 |
| Total | 77.0 / 100 |
Scores compiled from Illinois ARDC records, Super Lawyers, Cook County certified mediator records, Google Reviews, and Avvo. Last updated March 2026.