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Gunnar J. Gitlin

Gunnar J. Gitlin has exclusively practiced in divorce and family-law cases for his 35-year career. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers elected Gunnar J. Gitlin as a Fellow in 1996 and he served as President of the Illinois Chapter. He is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.  In 2016 through 2023, Attorney Gitlin rewrote the seminal treatise on Illinois divorce law:  Gitlin on Divorce: A Guide to Illinois Family Law.

Mr. Gitlin’s practice has been limited to family law since his graduation from Loyola University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Gitlin received his B.A. in English Literature from Kenyon College. He first worked for a family law firm in Chicago—Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck. In the 1990’s Attorney Gitlin became a partner of Gitlin & Gitlin. In 2002, he established The Gitlin Law Firm, P.C.

Attorney Gunnar Gitlin frequently lectures to Illinois family lawyers–both statewide and nationally. The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education selected Attorney Gitlin as one of five Illinois family lawyers for their 21st Century Master Teacher’s Program. In 2007 Attorney Gitlin received the Michael S. Cohen award “for continuing commitment and contribution to the professional education of matrimonial lawyers.” That year, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers honored Attorney Gitlin with the President’s Special Recognition Award.

Attorney Gitlin has served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Various organization recognize Attorney Gitlin including—

Attorney Gunnar J Gitlin 2023 Resume CV

Publications

Gitlin on Divorce: A Guide to Illinois Family Law
Gitlin on Divorce Book Details
Gitlin’s Illinois Annotated Family Practice Desktop Code
Gitlin's Annotated Divorce and Family Law Statute Book Details
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Child Custody Litigation Handbook
Publication details
  • “Settlement of the Child Custody Case: The Art of Custody Warfare.” 2004 Edition (updated 2006 and 2010)
  • Updated version available “in house” by request.
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Illinois Family Law Practice Handbook’s – Property and Financial Aspects
Publication details
  • Chapter 5 – Business Valuations. 2000 and 2003 Editions (updated 2006 and 2010). Co-Author.
  • See general outline available on this website as well as the Book: Gitlin on Divorce: A Guide to Illinois Family Law: Property Chapter. 
Co-author: Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Child Custody Litigation Handbook
Publication details
  • “The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Effecting Custody Cases.” 2006 and  2010.
“Appellate Review in Domestic Relations Cases: The Elusive Final and Appealable Order”
Publication details
  • Illinois Bar Journal, Aug. 2000. Vol. 88, No. 8. Co-Author.
Co-Author: “Post-Eckert Trends in Child Removal: A Review of Appellate Cases”
Publication details
Contributing author to “Gitlin on Divorce — Case Reports
Publication details

Numerous other articles including many articles on this website

Lecturer

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Institute for Training New Lawyers – Faculty and Committee Chair
Presentations for the AAML's National Institute
  • 2003 Chicago Illinois Program: Pension Plans and Drafting of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders; Business Valuation 101/102; Use of Spreadsheets and Other tools for the Family Lawyer.
  • 2002, Chicago, Illinois Program: Pension Plans and Drafting of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. Co-chairman for 2002 program.
  • 2001, Chicago, Illinois Program: Business Valuation 101/102 (a primer on business valuation issues in divorce cases). Co-chairman for 2001 program.
  • 2000, Chicago, Illinois Program: Preparation for Trial Preparation: The Trial Notebook. Co-chairman for 2000 program.
  • 1999, Fort Worth, Texas Program: Presentation for Trial Preparation: Preparing the Client for Mediation and Custody Evaluation
  • 1997 – Chicago Program: Presentation for “Common Assets Program” Retirement Benefits and How to Effectively Draft QDROs” and “Business Valuation Primer.”
Illinois Family Support Enforcement Association
Presentation
  • Using QDROs to Collect Child Support. Oct. 2012
Law Education Institute, National CLE Conferences – Colorado
Presentations for National Family-Law Seminar
  • “Settlement of the Child Custody Case.” January 2015, Conference – Vail, Colorado, January 2015.
  • “QDROs 102: A Primer on Advanced Issues Re QDROs – Drafting and Qualification” January 2003 Conference – Aspen, Colorado.
  • “Business Valuation Premiums and Discounts.” January 2001 Conference, Vail, Colorado.
  • “Preparing the Client for Mediation and the Custody Evaluation – Understanding How Psychologists Use the MMPI-2 in Custody Evaluations. January 1999 Conference, Vail, Colorado.
Illinois Attorney General Seminar
Presentation
  • May 10, 2007. Springfield, Illinois. Child Support Enforcement Issues Unique to Illinois Law.
Strafford Publications
Webcast Presentations
NIU Law Review Symposium: Current Issues in Child Custody Law
Presentation
  • Member Symposium Faculty: Panel Discussion: “Have Kids, Might Travel: A Guide to Successfully Litigating and Resolving Illinois Relocation Cases” March 24, 2005. DeKalb, Illinois. Other Members of Panel included: Joseph DuCanto (dec.) and Steven Peskind.
Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Presentations and Programs Chaired
  • Chapter Meeting: Caselaw update 2022. Nov. 16, 2022.
  • Co-Chair for 13th Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2018.  Presentation:  “Collaborative Divorce: New Statutory Law and Supreme Court Rule.”
  • Co-Chair for 12th Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2017.
  • Co-Chair for 11th Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2016. Presentation: “Practice and Implementation of the IMDMA revisions: “How’s that working for you?”
  • Co-Chair for 10th Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2015. Presentation: “Case Law Update 2015: Both Financial and Non-Financial Cases and the Impact of the Family Law Rewrites in 2016.”
  • Co-Chair for Ninth Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2014.
  • Columbus Day Eighth Annual Seminar: A View from Above – Case Law Update 2013
  • Co-Chair for Sixth Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2011: Columbus Day 2011, Oak Brook, Illinois. Presentation: “New Supreme Court Rules and Case Law Update Involving Ethics Issues for 2011.”
  • Co-Chair for Fifth Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2010: Columbus Day 2010, Oak Brook, Illinois. Presentation: “A View from Above: Case Law and Supreme Court Rule Update 2010.”
  • Co-Chair for Fourth Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2009: Columbus Day 2009, Oak Brook, Illinois. Presentation: “A View from Above: Case Law Update 2009.”
  • Co-Chair for Third Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2008: Oct. 13, 2008, Oak Brook, Illinois. Presentation: Collaborative Divorce 101 and the Ethics of Collaborative Law.
  • Chair for Second Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers 2006: Oct. 9, 2006, Oak Brook, Illinois.
  • Chair for First Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Family Lawyers 2005.
    • Presentation: Statutory Update and Supreme Court Rules 2005 / Case Law Update Oct. 10, 2005. Oak Brook, Illinois.
IICLE  – Martin Luther King Day Program (formerly co-sponsored by Illinois Chapter of the AAML)
Presentations for MLK Seminar
  • 2024, “Caselaw from 2023: A View from the Top: Caselaw from 2022 through January 2024.
  • 2023, “Case Law Update from 2022: A Review of our Top-20 Cases from May 2022 to Dec. 30, 2022.”
  • 2022, “Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce 2022: New and Future Issues – The Lasting Impact of COVID-19 Caselaw Update: A View from Above.”
  • 2021, “Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce: Defining & Understanding Income 2021″–Presentation: Financial Caselaw Update.
  •  2020, “Maintenance Calculating Using Complex Tax Returns.” Monday, January 20, 2020 – Hyatt Schaumburg and Live Webcast.
  • 2019, “Case Law Update.”
  • 2018, “Case Law Update.”
  • January 2017, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce 2017:  “Imputed Income in Depth: Business Valuation & Maintenance.”
  • 2016, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce 2016: Your In Depth Guide to Financial Aspects of the IMDMA Rewrite: “Business Related Non-Marital Property Issues.” Presentation with Don Schiller.
  • 2015, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce 2015 – “Ethics: Financial Topics in Mediation & ADR.”
  • 2014, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce 2014 – “Case Law Update 2014.”
  • 2013, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2013 “Case Law Update 2012.”
  • 2011, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2011: “Case Law Update 2010: A View from Above.”
  • 2010, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2010: Panel Discussion: “Premarital Business Interests, Reimbursement Issues Involving non-Marital Businesses and the Retained Earnings.”
  • 2009, Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2009: “Valuation Discount Refresher. Control Premiums and Minority Discounts, Discounts for Lack of Marketability and Key Person Discounts.”
  • 2005. Presenter for Judge’s Panel. “Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce.” Deerfield, IL. Joint program with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the IICLE and Trenwith Valuation
  • 2004, Deerfield, Illinois. Program: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2004. Case Law Update Regarding Sophisticated Issues Regarding Property, Maintenance and Other Financial Issues in Divorce Cases. Program associated with the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
DuPage County Family Law Section
Presentation
  • “The Revolution that Wasn’t — Leveling Two Years Later.” Oct. 1999.
Kane County Bar Association
Kane County Bar Presentations
  • Case Law Updates 2014: A View from Above. Nov. 2014.
  • “Identifying and Determining Income for the Purpose of Child Support and Maintenance.” May 2003.
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Presentations
  • Written materials used for presentation on joint custody including updated article by Gunnar J. Gitlin reviewing each Illinois appellate court case involving an award of joint custody and joint parenting agreement of The Gitlin Law Firm – 2003.
  • “Removal Trends: An Analysis and Update of Original Illinois Bar Journal Article regarding Removal,” Jan. 25, 1999.
Winnebago County Bar Association
Winnebago Family Law Section Presentations
  • “Child Support Presentation — New Legislation Re Child Support and Income Withholding” Joint Presentation with Dennis Casty of FinPlan, Nov. 1999.
  • “Trends in Maintenance Award: The Trend Toward Reviewable Maintenance and Permanent Maintenance” and “Trends in Custody Cases: A Comprehensive Analysis Joint Versus Sole Custody Awards,” April 1999.
  • May 20, 2016 “Case Law Update 2015 / 2016 Focuses on Cases Relating to the Rewrite of Illinois’ Custody Laws.”
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Master Teacher’s Biannual Program
Presentations and Programs Chaired for Master Teacher's Seminar
  • 2024 Master Teacher Program. Child Support and Maintenance 2024.
  • 2021 Master Teacher Program. Child Support and Maintenance 2021. “On the Nature of Presumptions and Our Maintenance and Child Support Guidelines.”
  • 2019 Program Co-Chair: Drafting Marital Settlement Agreement Seminar and Child Support and Maintenance Master Teachers Seminar
  • 2017 Presentation, “Think Tank Roundtable: The Future of Maintenance & Child Support,” May 18, 2017.  Panel discussion including: Hon. Grace Dickler, Presiding Judge Domestic Relations Division, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago
    Hon. Pamela Loza, Circuit Court of Cook County; Hon. Jeanne M. Reynolds, Circuit Court of Cook County, Skokie; Hon. Elizabeth Rochford, Circuit Court of Lake County, Waukegan.
  • 2015 Master Teacher Program: “Chaos on the Homefront – Child Support and the New Illinois Laws on Maintenance Guidelines with Gunnar Gitlin”: April 2015 – UBS Tower & Conference Center.
  • 2013 Master Teacher Program: “Gunnar Gitlin on Child Support and Maintenance Litigation 2013,” June 2013. UBS Tower & Conference Center, Chicago.
  • 2011 Master Teacher Program: “Child Support and Maintenance Litigation 2011,” Chicago. April 2011.
  • 2007 Master Teacher Program: “Child Support and Maintenance Litigation 2007,” Chicago and Peoria Illinois.
  • 2004 Master Teacher Program: “Gunnar Gitlin on Child Support and Maintenance.” Aug. 2004. Presented in Springfield and in Chicago.
  • First Master Teacher Programs: “Child Support and Maintenance: Using the Law, the Facts and Savvy Planning to Get the Best Awards for Your Clients,” Jan. 23, 2003, Chicago, Illinois. Full day program presented by Gunnar J. Gitlin – “Master Teacher.” Additional full day program presented in Champaign / Urbana in Nov. 2002 and in Chicago in Dec. 2002.
  • One of five Illinois family lawyers selected as Master Teacher for the Twenty-First Century Master Teacher Project by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Educations – June 2000.
Originator of IICLE’s Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements Workshop–Program Chair
Presentations and Programs Chaired
  • Drafting of Marital Settlement Agreements Workshop, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education:
    • Co-Chair–Ninth Seminar: Sept. 2022, Chicago.
    • Chair for 9th Seminar (downstate): June 2019.
    • Program Chair for our Eight Seminar: Sept. 2018, Chicago.
    • Program Chair for Seventh Seminar: Nov. 2013, Chicago.
    • Program Co-chair for Sixth Seminar: May 2012, Chicago.
    • Program Chair for Fourth Seminar: Chicago, Sept. 22, 2006; Urbana, Sept. 15, 2006; Chicago, Nov. 2006.
    • Third Chicago program – Feb. 2000.
    • Springfield, Illinois program – March 1999.
    • Second Chicago program – Feb. 1999.
    • First Chicago Program – Nov. 1998.
Other IICLE Programs
Other Presentations for IICLE
  • “Cutting Edge Custody, Visitation and Grandparent Visitation Issues;” and “Clauses no Marital Settlement Agreement Should be Without.” Fifth Annual Family Law Conference, March 2006, Chicago, Illinois.
  • “Clauses no Marital Settlement Agreement Should be Without.” Fifth Annual Family Law Conference, March 22, 2006, Springfield, Illinois.
  • Annual Family Law Conference, 2005, “Attorneys’ Fees: An Analysis of Illinois Case Law Seven Years After the Leveling the Playing Field Amendments.” April 2005, Chicago and Urbana.
  • Annual Family Law Conference, April 16, 2004, Springfield, Illinois and April 23, 2004, Chicago, Illinois, “The UCCJEA – A Solution to a 35 Year Old Problem.”
  • April 4, 2003, Urbana, Illinois and April 9, 2003, Chicago – UBS Tower: “Jurisdictional Issues in Divorce – Jurisdiction and Venue; UCCJA/UCCJEA/PKPA; and Personal Jurisdiction Versus Subject Matter Jurisdiction in Divorce.”
  • “Current Issues and Developments in Child Custody Jurisdiction: The UCCJEA is Coming!”, Dec. 2003 (Chicago) Program: “Successfully Analyzing, Negotiating, and Trying Your Child Custody Cases.”
  • “Case Law Update 2001-2002 and Trends in Illinois Family Law Cases.” April 2002, Chicago Illinois and Springfield Illinois for “First Annual Family Law Conference.”
  • Moderator of Key Issues in Child Custody Seminar – Springfield and Chicago, Illinois programs. Lecturer: Preparing Your Client for Mediation and Custody Evaluation – March 1998.
  • “The Shrinking of Child Custody Cases: The Use of Mental Health Experts – – Preparing Your Client for the Contested Custody Case,.” 1996. Springfield, Illinois program.
Effective Solutions
Presentation
  • Litigation Issues 1997 — Business Valuation Case Law Update, 1997.
DePaul University Graduate School of Taxation
Presentation
  • An Overview of Recent Business Valuation Cases and Issues in Divorce, Feb. 17, 1997.
Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section
ISBA FLS Presentations
  • 2021. UCCJEA, the Hague Convention, and Relocation of Children. Feb. 2021.
  • 2016 “The Revolution is Here – Do you know what has changed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act?” June 2, 2016, Chicago, IL.
  • 2015 Program, “”Attorney Education in Child Custody and Visitation Matters in 2015.” Presentation: “Removal and Custody Trends for 2015.” Chicago, IL.
  • May 2014 Program, “”Attorney Education in Child Custody and Visitation Matters in 2014.” Presentation: “Removal and Custody Trends for 2014.” Carbondale, IL.
  • March 19, 2010 ISBA Program, “Attorney Education in Child Custody and Visitation in 2010 and Beyond” Presentation: “Dealing with Other Jurisdictions and Allowing Children to be Removed from Illinois: Removal, the UCCJEA and the Hague Convention.” Chicago.
  • Mid-year meeting 1997: “Leveling the Playing Field Legislation – Contribution Petitions and Final Fee Hearings.”
American Bar Association Family Law Section
Presentation
  • Mid-year meeting 1997: Hot-Tips by the Experts program – “Key Books in Every Divorce Lawyer’s Library.”
Illinois Chapter American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers
IL Chapter AAML Presentations
  • Chapter Meeting: Caselaw update 2022. Nov. 16, 2022.

  • Program Chairman or Co-chair for the First through the 13th Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Lawyers: 2005 through 2018.

  • Chapter Meeting: Caselaw Update 2022. Nov. 16, 2022.
  • Chapter Meeting: Case Law Update 2002. Presented in April, 2002.
  • Chapter meeting: Case Law Update 2002. Presented in Feb. 2002.
  • Financial Matters in Divorce 2002: Jan. 2002 Program: “Business Valuation Discounts and Other Issues Affecting Valuation of Closely Held Businesses.”
  • “Top Cases Year 2000,” Nov. 7, 2000.
  • “Treatment of Depreciation and Business Expenses in Determining Net Income According to the Child Support.”
  • “Venue in Divorce Cases: What is Residency;” June 2, 1998.
  • “Top Ten Cases 1998 – A Case Law Review 1998”
  • “Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and the Department of Labor’s QDRO Handbook; Analysis of the Marriage of Wenc decision and Issues in Drafting QDROs regarding defined benefit plans.” May 5, 1998.
  • “Joint Custody in Illinois / 1998 Tax Worksheets;” Feb. 3, 1998.
  • “Top 10 1997 Cases;” Jan. 1998.
  • “Maintenance and Property Spreadsheets: An Analysis of Illinois Case Law;” Dec. 1997.
Member Planning Committee for Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Programs
Planning Committee Details for MLK Programs
  • Member Planning committee 2020 through 2024 programs: Powered by IICLE
  • Member Planning Committee for 2017 through 2019 programs: Joint Programs with Illinois Chapter AAML, IICLE and Mazars
  • Member Planning Committee for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 programs: Joint Programs with Illinois Chapter AAML, IICLE and Cohn-Reznick Group.
  • Member Planning Committee for 2008 through 2014 programs: Joint Programs with Illinois Chapter AAML, IICLE and UHY Advisors
  • Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce. Jan. 17, 2005. Deerfield, IL. Joint program with the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and Trenwith Valuation.
  • Business Valuation, Financial, and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce. January 17, 2004. Deerfield, IL. Joint program with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the IICLE and Trenwith Valuation.
Joint McHenry County and Lake County Bar Association Family Law Sections
Presentation
  • Basic and Advanced Training for Guardian ad Litems: “Custody Jurisdiction: A Primer on the UCCJEA and the Hague Convention.” March 2008
Collaborative Divorce Institute of Illinois
Presentation for CDI
  • The Illinois Maintenance Guidelines: Legal, Emotional and Financial Implications For Collaborative Practice, Nov. 20, 2014. Des Plaines, IL
McHenry County Bar Association Chair of Family Law Section 2014-2015
Presentations for MCBA FLS
  • New Supreme Court Rules and Orders, Legislation Update, and Caselaw Update, Jan. 2022.
  • “IRMO Solecki, Hard Lessons & Unexpected Consequences From Well-intentioned, Poorly-drafted MSAs.” Oct. 13, 2020, Presentation co-presented with Judge Jeffrey Hirsch.
  • Case Law Update 2019: “A Review of our 2019 Case Law Including Post-Decree Maintenance Review / Modification Cases. Jan. 2020.
  • Case Law updated 2018: “A Review of 2017 and 2018 Important Cases.
  • “Impact of Case and Statutory Law on Proposed Local Rule Changes,” Jan. 2012.
  • Case and Statutory Law Update. Oct. 30, 2009.
  • Case Law Update 2009. April 2009.
  • Case Law Update 2008. Oct. 24, 2008.
  • Caw Law Update 2007. April 13, 2007.
  • Collaborative Practice 101for McHenry County lawyers in light of the new Supreme Court custody rules. 2006.
  • Case Law Update. April 2005.
  • “Leveling the Playing Field – Five Years Later – The Revolution that Wasn’t.” Oct. 2002.
  • Case law update 1997-1998: Review of Top Ten Cases 1997.
  • Family Law Form Changes in Light of Amendments to the Supreme Court Rules, 1996.
  • Tips re Drafting Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, 1994.
  • Attorney’s Fees under §508 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 1992.
  • Family Law and Federal Taxation, 1990.
“Gitlin on Divorce” Family Law Seminars
Presentations for Gitlin on Divorce Seminars
  • April 2008, Settlement of Your Child Custody Case. Chicago, Illinois. DePaul Univ. School of Law.
  • “Case and Statutory Law Update 2007” for Gitlin on Divorce Family Law Seminar, April 25, 2007, Woodstock, Illinois
  • “Case and Statutory Law Update 2006” for Gitlin on Divorce Family Law Seminar, July 21, 2006, Bull Valley Golf Club, Woodstock, Illinois
Webinar for National Child Support Enforcement Association
Presentation
  • Feb. 27, 2013, Presenter Regarding Child Support Enforcement in a IV- D World: “Enforcement of Child Support and the Interplay with Bankruptcy Proceedings.”

Leadership

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Illinois Chapter
Leadership Roles for IL Chapter AAML
  • President (2022-23)
  • President-Elect (2021-22).
  • Vice President of the Illinois Chapter (2008-2011 and 2020-2021)
  • Board of Directors: 1997-2003; 2006 – 2007; 2011-12 and 2017-2019
  • Chair: New Case Law Committee (1997-1998; 2001-2002)
  • Chair: Continuing Legal Education Committee (2005-2007) ; Co-chair (2008 through 2011) and 2014 through 2019
  • Chair: Web Site Committee (2008 to 2013)
  • Program Chair: Started what became the premier continuing legal education program for Illinois Family Law in 2005: The AAML’s Family Law Seminar for Experienced Matrimonial Lawyers (chairing of co-chairing the program through to 2018).
  • Member: Continuing Legal Education Committee 1998-2001, 2012 and 2013; Legislation and Lobbying Committee, (1998-1999)
  • Co-chair: Legislation and Lobbying (2019-2023)
McHenry County Bar Association
Leadership Roles for MCBA
  • President Family Law Section 2014-2015.
  • Non-mediator Member 22nd Judicial Circuit’s Family Mediation Advisory Council (2005-2011).
  • Chairman, McHenry County Bar Association Legal Aid Committee (1993-1996).
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National
Leadership Role for AAML National
  • Dean of Institute for Matrimonial Law Associates (1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002).
ABA Family Law Section
Leadership Role
  • Co-editor American Bar Association Family Law Section’s News Update Service, 1999-2004.
Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois: Now Collaborative Divorce Illinois
Leadership Roles
  • Web-site committee chair. 2007-2012.
  • Faculty and member of Training Committee for Nov. 2011 Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce Training. Chicago, Illinois.

Recognitions

Michael S. Cohen Award
Award
In 2007, Attorney Gitlin received the Michael S. Cohen award “for continuing commitment and contribution to the professional education of matrimonial lawyers.”
President’s Special Recognition Award
AAML Award
Awarded by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President’s Special Recognition Award 2007.
Leading Lawyers Network and Super Lawyers
Selected
Selected by Leading Lawyers Network since 2003 by survey of peers of Illinois’ lawyers in the area of Family Law. Law Bulletin Publishing Company.
Selected by his peers to be named as an Illinois SuperLawyer® in the area of Family Law.
A-V – Martindale-Hubbell®
Received
A-V Peer Review Designation through Martindale-Hubbell®.
Best Lawyers in America
Award
Selected by Best Lawyers in America for 16 years (since 2007).

Published Opinions

Opinions include
  • IRMO Hines, 356 Ill.App.3d 197 (2d Dist. 2005).
  • IRMO Brackett, 309 Ill.App.3d 329 (2nd Dist. 1999). Case of first impression in Illinois prohibiting a maintenance award in lieu of a property interest in a pension plan. Also, significant case addressing issue of rehabilitative versus permanent maintenance.
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