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John Steele
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John Steele
Steele Law Firm, LLC
161 N. Clark Street
Suite 4700
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 893-5888 | Fax: (312) 893-5604
http://www.steele-law.com
http://www.familylawlifeline.com
Common Sense Advice from an Attorney Who'll Help You
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements, Adoptions, Post-decree Enforcement/Modification, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Colleges & Universities
- Individualized Education Plans
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements, Adoptions, Post-decree Enforcement/Modification, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
Bar Admissions
IL,
Bar Number: 6292158
Other Court Admissions
Illinois; Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois.
Association Memberships
Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Continuing Education
Attend CLE seminars on Family Law, Bankruptcy and General Legal Issues.
Papers and Publications
We have a blog: Family Law Lifeline.
Example Cases
Divorce is an emotional process, and many people just want to get it over with so they can move on. At the Steele Law Firm, we will strive to come up with divorce solutions that work for you, and we will take the same approach to other areas of family law.
Whether you are primarily concerned about child custody, child support, asset division, spousal maintenance, modification and enforcement of family court orders, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, or adoption, we can help. We can also explore alternative family dispute resolution options, including collaborative divorce and mediation.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in American History
School:
Georgetown University
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
Information coming soon.
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Focus and Accomplishments:
American History.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Minnesota Law School
City:
Minneapolis
State:
MN
Year:
Information coming soon.
Honors:
Dean's List.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
Illinois
Firm Focus and History
We focus on protecting and preserving our clients' property and rights by providing high-quality, personal service to our clients. All of our clients have unique personal problems and we are in the business of solving those problems and helping our clients and their families. Our business is about people. It pays for us to care about our clients and their families. Although we can't do much to change what has happened in the past, we strive to help our clients avoid a path that could lead to a long and costly case.
Our clients come to us from all areas of Illinois for help with Estate Planning matters, such as Wills, Trusts and Probate; Family Law matters, such as Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, and Prenuptial Agreements; Consumer Bankruptcy issues; and Personal Contracts, which encompasses any agreement that you make with an individual or company that requires either you or the other party to pay or provide a service.
At the Steele Law Firm we strive to bring our clients peace of mind as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Whenever possible, we use alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. Until there is no alternative, we make negotiating, not litigation, our priority.
Previous Employment Summary
The Steele Law Firm was established in 2007.
Activities and Awards
Who's Who in American Law.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Empowering clients is one of the most important aspects of our job. Our goal is to make sure that our clients feel that after their case is over, they are able to make more intelligent decisions about their life. Of course, we're always available if they have any questions or concerns after their case is wrapped up.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We will for simple or uncontested matters. However, it is normally not a good idea to for clients unfamiliar with family law to draft complicated family law documents or court filings that are part of a contested matter, especially in cases dealing with minor children.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
If a client chooses to represent him/herself, it is our policy to withdraw as their attorney of record as soon as possible and provide them with their file immediately. We feel it is difficult to coach a client who we do not represent or a client who has requested that we withdraw so they may represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
As a divorced father, I've been through the system. I saw my ex-wife and I getting taken advantage of by our attorneys. They turned a relatively smooth process into an expensive and hostile one. The experience inspired me to make a difference in the area of family law. I wanted to be the kind of lawyer whose clients were better off because I helped them. I wanted to be able to help people without them feeling the way my ex and I felt.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
As an attorney and a divorced father, I understand not only the law, but also what it's like to actually go through a divorce, to go through the frustration of a child custody hearing, and to feel the loss of control that family law litigation brings. Any attorney can tell you how he or she "understands what you're going through," but as a divorced father who has seen examples of good and bad spouses, as well as good and bad parenting, the truth is that every client's situation is unique. It can be difficult to keep a rational mindset when, without realizing it, one suddenly becomes neck-deep in all the issues of the divorce. I take the term "counselor" to heart, knowing that common sense advice is often more useful then simply providing legal advice.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I have always been considered a "family man." Ever since I was young, my parents instilled strong family values in me. They helped me realize how important family is to one's happiness and balance in life. In addition, I am very results-oriented. I think family law is one of the only areas of law practice in which you can see results almost immediately. There is no greater feeling than helping a family to resolve a complex and emotional issue and seeing that happy look on their face.
What do you like best about your career?
I love seeing the pure, unadulterated happiness on our clients' faces when we wrap up a case. Some clients cry tears of joy, some shake hands until my wrist is about to fall off, and some are even compelled to give me a hug. I believe that good lawyers need more than money to keep them in family law, What provides me that motivation is knowing the difference a good family lawyer can make, whether it's keeping children out of dangerous homes, forcing deadbeat dads to pay support, helping a man overcharged with support erase his arrears, or convincing two parents to put their children first.
Tell us about your law firm:
Personally, I have a wonderful paralegal dedicated to providing my clients with the attention and assistance they need when I am in court or with another client. Between my paralegal and myself, I am able to provide close to 24/7 help to my clients. We do not hand off cases to junior associates. So, for example, if you sit down at a consultation with me, and I explain how I am going to help you, you can count on me being the one to handle your case. Our staff understands when they are hired at the Steele Law Firm that family law is different than other types of law, and that family law clients are oftentimes fighting over intensely emotional issues, from where their own child will live, to how they are going to support themselves.
What are your strengths and style?
I would say a strength of mine is that I am a creative problem solver. In family law, both parties tend to have a list of things that they want. I have learned that the more I satisfy the other party's list, the easier it is to get what my client wants. It's amazing how often an agreement can be reached that gives both parties what they really want at the same time, without either side ‘losing.' Also, I think my role as a family lawyer includes me being direct and honest with my client. Oftentimes, settlement is impeded when one side is under a misconception about the law or their chances in court on a given issue. If a client of mine is unlikely to win on a particular issue, I feel it is my responsibility to tell him, and recommend compromise rather than going to court, paying substantial legal fees, and almost certainly losing the matter in the end. My style is to be empathic to my clients. In divorce and child support/custody matters, each story is unique and the facts are important. For example, unlike other areas of law, child custody places a great deal of importance on the best interests of the child, which is almost entirely fact dependant. Being able to understand a client's situation is not only polite, it is often required in order to piece together the strongest argument for my client.
Personal Interests:
Spending time with my family, playing basketball, reading American history, vacationing at my family's cabin in Minnesota.
Office Manager/Assistant
Kerry Eckenrode
Fax
(312) 893-5604
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Additional Offices
Naperville, IL
Two Mid-America Plaza
Route 83 & 22nd St.
Suite 800
Naperville, IL 60181
Schaumburg, IL
1901 N. Roselle Rd.
Suite 800
Schaumburg, IL 60195
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Yes, particularly for uncontested matters or cases with a few issues. Although every case is unique, we are able to anticipate the approximate time involved with different type of cases and offer one set price for all the legal services needed in a particular matter. We can even set up a retainer agreement where we charge a flat fee for an uncontested matter and switch to a different fee arrangement if the matter becomes contested. For example, an uncontested divorce with no children and no assets in Cook County would be $600, not including court costs.
Hourly Rates
$250 for an attorney, $90 for a paralegal or assistant.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, consultations usually take 30 to 60 minutes.
Typical Retainer
Every case is unique, so each client gets a retainer based on his or her needs and the complexity of the case. However, typically our retainer agreement is $1,500 for child support or child custody cases and $2,500 for a contested divorce.
Nolo's Licensing Check
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.
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