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James M. Quigley
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James M. Quigley
Beermann & Swerdlove, LLP
161 N Clark St
#2600
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 621-9700 | Fax: (312) 621-0909
http://www.beermannlaw.com
Experienced, Responsive, Full Service Family Law Firm
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
We are looking for family law clients in the areas of divorce cases, custody cases, pre-nuptial agreements and other matters.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Domestic Violence
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Age Discrimination
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Tax Planning
- Grandparent Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
We are looking for family law clients in the areas of divorce cases, custody cases, pre-nuptial agreements and other matters.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
Bar Admissions
IL, Nov 1992
Bar Number: 6209777
Other Court Admissions
Illinois, 1992 and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1992.
Association Memberships
Chicago Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Illinois Trial Lawyers Association; Lake County Bar Association; DePaul University College of Law-Family Law Center Advisory Board Vice-President.
Continuing Education
I have assisted in teaching a Family Law Skills course through DePaul University, College of Law. I have also attended Continuing Legal Education seminars in the area of family law and have also participated in online seminars pertaining to family law.
Example Cases
I successfully tried a case wherein our client was awarded custody and was permitted the right to remove the minor child to the State of Michigan. I also tried a sophisticated financial case with an estate valued in excess of $40 million dollars, which involved financial experts, accountants, lifestyle analysis and other intricate financial considerations.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
City:
Madison
State:
WI
Year:
1989
Honors:
Periodic Dean's List.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Journalism with an emphasis on African American studies.
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
DePaul University College of Law
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
1992
Focus and Accomplishments:
First Place Moot Court Client Counseling Competition-1990.
Number of Attorneys
31
State Licensed In
Illinois.
Firm Focus and History
Established in 1958 as a small neighborhood law office, Beermann Swerdlove LLP has grown to provide legal counseling and representation for a full range of business and individual needs.
At Beermann Swerdlove LLP, clients are our top priority. We are tough when we need to be, yet our lawyers possess both the compassion and skills necessary to lead clients through various challenges in their personal and professional lives. Our objective is to get to know our clients -- establish trust and rapport -- not treat them like just another case file. Our lawyers learn what is important to each client and then provide the legal strategy and representation necessary to achieve each client's individualized goals.
We are well known for our trial and appellate practice, which includes complex marital dissolution and business disputes, insurance coverage matters, real estate and construction litigation, professional responsibility actions as well as plaintiffs' personal injury representation. Our transactional practice includes attorneys who handle sophisticated matters involving the purchase and sale of assets, businesses and real estate, as well as counsel clients on business operational and employment issues. Complementing the firm's litigation and transactional capabilities is our estate planning practice which involves personal wealth management and intricate business succession matters.
Beermann Swerdlove LLP is rooted in Chicago and since its beginning; the firm's lawyers have committed themselves to a wide variety of legal, business and community organizational involvement. For example, many of our partners, through their participation in bar association and law school educational activities over the span of 50 years, have taught countless attorneys advocacy and client relations skills -- all with the goal of supporting the profession and producing exceptional lawyers. Further, many of the firm's partners have expanded their leadership contributions to business and community activities by serving on corporate, municipal and charitable boards, as well as in other capacities.
Previous Employment Summary
Information coming soon.
Activities and Awards
I have practiced Family Law in the Domestic Relations divisions of Cook County, Lake County and DuPage County, Illinois, since 1992. My career as a Family Law attorney began while heading the Family Law Department as an associate. The law firm provided a legal benefits plan for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), representing a wide array of Chicago Police Officers, Chicago Firemen, Illinois State Police Officers, and their families. In 1996, I opened my own law firm, Quigley & Associates, P.C., as a sole practitioner, which was a full-service Family Law Firm. With two full-time attorneys and a paralegal, we serviced the needs of a broad-based clientèle. My experience includes the trial of cases involving complex financial issues as well as custody matters. In addition to representing clients in traditional divorce litigation and negotiations involving financial and property matters, I represent clients in child custody, visitation, paternity, and child support matters. I also work drafting and enforcement of Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that clients should always seek to educate themselves on all legal issues, provided that the information they receive is reliable. It has been my experience that often times information found via the internet or through individuals the clients know is often inaccurate, incomplete and/or distorted.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am always willing to review documents prepared by clients to the extent that it provides a framework for final agreement or furthering the case in litigation. However, documents prepared by clients often have to be redrafted to comport with Court Rules and expectations of the Court.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Typically, I am not in the practice of advising clients who represent themselves and would not seek to engage in that area of practice.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer due to the wide array of legal challenges and opportunities provided through law. I was also attracted to trial work in particular. I enjoy the art of advocacy and being in a position to assist people in need.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My work experience has allowed me to interact with a diverse cross-section of people from all ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds and even different age ranges. Working with a wide array of individuals has allowed me to negotiate effectively with attorneys and judges from all walks of life. Being able to connect with a lawyer or a judge is critical since it relates to the art of persuasion and effective advocacy.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose the area of family law, because it is the one area where you have the most direct interaction and contact with people on a human level. I enjoy interacting with people and helping solve real problems.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about my career is getting to meet good people and helping them through very difficult times. Although most people dealing with family law issues are not in a good place, there is something intrinsically rewarding about helping them get through the very difficult process in an honorable and respectful way.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a partner in one of the largest family law firms in the city of Chicago. Since we are a larger firm, I am better able to service my clients by utilizing the assistance of associates and paralegals to offer clients lower hourly rates. Furthermore, having a team representing an individual allows for greater contact, which is absolutely critical in family law cases. I always maintain direct contact with clients and I'm available to help my clients, involvement of associates or paralegals notwithstanding. Additionally, my legal assistant is absolutely in tune with all of my clients and their cases.
What are your strengths and style?
My greatest strength is the ability to remain objective both in advising my clients, as well as interacting with attorneys for the other party. While I am competitive by nature, I always put the client's long-term needs first and do not allow my emotions to dictate the course of action in a case. As a style, I try to be agreeable and professional, with an emphasis on rapid resolution. However, when I encounter an unreasonable opposition, I am very comfortable in moving into litigation mode. I have tried many cases, and my stated position is that going to trial should be a last resort, because of contention and financial drain on the estate.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests include spending time with my family, athletics, photography and art.
Office Manager/Assistant
Assistant: Melissa Cruz.
Fax
(312) 621-0909
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:30 pm
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Spanish.
Additional Offices
Highland Park, IL
1700 Green Bay Rd.
Suite 200
Highland Park, IL 60035
(312) 621-9700
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
No.
Hourly Rates
$400.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer free telephone consultation for up to 30 minutes.
Typical Retainer
$3,500 to $5,000.
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
