Fahnert, LLC
Smart. Caring. Dedicated.
Firm Overview
Our law firm focuses on helping fair-minded individuals reach fair outcomes in their family-law matters. I founded Fahnert, LLC, after a stint as a divorce lawyer at a public-interest legal clinic in Chicago. I realized that the private sector needed the same smart and caring lawyers who worked in the public interest sector. Thus, I founded my law firm with the client-focused philosophy of doing good, putting clients first, and resolving issues as efficiently as possible.
Example casesJudge v. Client: A judge was consistently ruling against the law (and our client). We filed a Motion for a Supervisory Order with the Supreme Court of Illinois. They vacated two months of the judge's rulings and order the judge to follow the law.
Wife and Husband (client): Husband, my client, felt that his wife's demands for maintenance were excessive. After a hearing, the judge awarded no maintenance.
Wife and Wife: Represented litigant in the first dissolution of civil union (same-sex divorce) in Illinois.
Fahnert, LLC
25 East Washington
Suite 1237
Chicago
IL
60602
- (312) 235-2352
Fees
Yes. We offer free initial phone consultations for up to one hour.
Uncontested divorces: $3,500.
$350.
Office Information
Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Yes
Spanish.
We have also been at the forefront of same-sex marriages, having represented a litigant in the first same-sex dissolution of civil union in Illinois.
Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve a fair and smooth resolution to your divorce so that focus on the next stage in your life.
We believe that trust between attorneys and their clients is crucial to obtaining a good outcome in your case and that a strong attempt should be made to resolve matters through negotiations rather than through trial. However, we are prepared for those difficult cases where a judge is needed to decide an outcome.
How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?
I chose family law because I like the immediate effect that my hard work has on clients.
What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I strongly encourage you to learn about family law, read books on divorce, and voice your opinion.
Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will consider reviewing documents on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me.
Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will consider coaching clients on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me.
Marie Fahnert
During my law school years, I worked at Northwestern School of Law's Small Business Opportunity Clinic (helping entrepreneurs with the legal aspects of their business), the Center on Wrongful Convictions (where I was part of a team that won clemency for a wrongfully-convicted death row inmate) and the Center for International Human Rights (helping draft a winning appeal for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights).
I also worked as an English teacher in China (2 years), a computer programmer, and a berry picker (!) before attending Northwestern.
I lived in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The exposure to different cultures made me more open minded, more sympathetic, and more accepting of people. This understanding of people (and their follies) helps me be a better lawyer because I truly believe that we should be as open minded about others as we would like others to be about us.
Caring, listening and working hard is an important part of reaching a fair outcome in a case. Clients often have a good sense of what they want, how to achieve it and what is fair. Their opinions are very important.
Personal interests:I dream of moving to Mongolia.
- Bar Number:
Illinois , 2006
- Northwestern School of Law
Juris Doctor , 2006
Chicago, IL
I worked at the Small Business Opportunity Clinic, Center on Wrongful Convictions and Center for International Human Rights.
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