Jerald A. Kessler, Attorney at Law

Jerald A. Kessler, Attorney at Law

Are you experiencing a conflict involving divorce, a business partnership or other legal matter? Are you ready to resolve your conflict in a non-adversarial manner rather than through expensive and time-consuming litigation? My firm provides professional mediation and collaborative law services to individuals, families and businesses throughout the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. I have devoted my legal career to helping people solve problems and helping them reach satisfying resolutions.

Would you like to speak with an experienced lawyer regarding alternative forms of conflict resolution such as mediation and collaborative law? Call my firm today at 847-367-4500 to arrange a consultation. You may fill out a contact form and someone from my firm will be in touch with you promptly.

Involved in a conflict? Let me help.

I have been involved in mediation for over 20 years. My experience and reputation are well-known among my peers in the Chicago area. I am highly sought after for my professional mediation services. I give frequent seminars and workshops on mediation and train new mediators.

Are you experiencing a divorce? Try a Quiet Divorce™.

I provide mediation and collaborative law services to people involved in divorce. Mediation offers a civilized alternative to litigation — it is private, dignified, and cost effective. Collaborative law involves both parties and their respective attorneys agreeing to reach a resolution without litigation. Mediation and collaborative law can benefit you and your children.

Are you involved in a business or family dispute?

I provide professional mediation services to individuals, families, business owners and businesses involved in various types of disputes. Whether you are contesting the terms of a will, are involved in a dispute with your insurance company regarding a personal injury claim, or are in a disagreement regarding business succession planning, I can help.

Practice Overview

Mediation and collaborative law can provide you with an amicable and satisfying resolution to contested issues. Whether you are experiencing a divorce or are involved in a business dispute, consider a form of alternative dispute resolution. Contact me today to learn more about any of the following practice areas.

Mediation
As an experienced mediator, I provide guidance to people at a difficult time in their lives, assisting them in finding solutions. I have devoted the majority of my legal career to mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Whether you are going through divorce or a business dispute, I encourage you to consider mediation.

Professional Mediation
As a trained professional mediator, I help people involved in various types of disputes find mutually satisfactory resolutions. My experience includes helping families involved in will contests, family business disputes, personal injury, and other types of disputes.

Divorce
Are you interested in a "Quiet Divorce™"? Mediation may be a good fit for you. I am a proponent of non-adversarial divorce. This method benefits adults and children alike. I can be your guide through mediation and help you reach sound decisions.

Collaborative Law
Collaborative law provides an empowering way for people going through divorce to reach agreement. Each party and his or her attorney signs a participation agreement. This states that a divorce agreement will be reached through the collaborative process, avoiding litigation and that each party will be cooperative and provide full disclosure on all relevant issues. Through the collaborative process, decisions regarding property, child custody and other matters can be resolved in a way that works for both parties.

Jerald A. Kessler, Attorney at Law 

Areas of Practice

• Mediation
• Child Support
• Custody & Visitation
• Divorce
• Family Law

Certification/Specialties

• Advanced Practitioner Member, Association for Conflict Resolution
• Approved Panelist for ACR Referral List
• Approved Panel Member, Mediation Council of Illinois Referral Service
• Approved Panel Member, Lake County Bar Association Mediation Program
• Certified Mediator, 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois -- Family Mediation Panel
• Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program, USDA
• Mediation, Center for Conflict Resolution, Chicago
• Certified Mediator, 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois -- Civil Mediation Panel
• Mediator, Americans With Disabilities Act Claims, Key Bridge Foundation

Education

• J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1972
• B.A., University of Chicago, 1969
  Honors: Special Honors, Political Science
  

Representative Clients

• Families and Family Businesses
• United States Postal Service REDRESS Program
• Key Bridge Foundation, Washington, D.C.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture-Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Visiting Lecturer, Undergraduate and Graduate Level Conflict Resolution, North Central College, 2000 - present
• Instructor, DePaul University College of Commerce, 1980 - 1981, 1987
• Lecturer, Legal Writing and Research, ITT Chicago Kent College of Law, 1973 - 1976
• "The Ethics of Mediation Style" (Co-Presenter), Emerging Issues in Mediation Conference, University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Association of Mediators, Madison, Wisconsin, 2003
• "Divorce Mediation -- The Civilized Alternative," The Lilac Tree, Evanston, Illinois, 2003
• Annual Guest Lecture, "Power, Power Imbalances and Caucus," Combined Conflict Resolution Classes, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1998 - present
• "What Lawyers Can Do to Facilitate Mediation," Family Law Seminar, Lake County Bar Association, 2003
• Mediator Training, "Screening for Impairments to Mediation," 19th Judicial Circuit Family Mediation Program, Grayslake, Illinois, April 12, 2003
• "Power Imbalances and Anger in Mediation - No Problem," Family Law Seminar, Lake County Bar Association, 2002
• "Working with Attorneys in Mediation" (Co-Presenter), Association for Conflict Resolution Seminar, Family Section Conference, Savannah, Georgia, March 2, 2002
• ADR: "Appropriate Dispute Resolution," Association of Women Attorneys, Lake County Illinois, Approved Continuing Legal Education Seminar, January 11, 2008
• Mediating in the Face of Strongly Held Beliefs, National Conference Association for Conflict Resolution, Philadelphia, 2006

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Mediation Council of Illinois -- President, 1995 - 1999
• Mediation Council of Illinois -- Board of Directors, 1993 - present
• Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly AFM) -- Advanced Practitioner Member
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• North Suburban Service Council -- Board Member, 1994 - present
• North Suburban Service Council -- President, 2001 - 2003
• Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois -- Fellow and Board Member, 2002 - 2004
• Lake County Bar Association -- Member, Family Law Committee
• Lake County Bar Association -- Chairman, Lawyer Referral Committee, 1994 - 1996, 1998
• Chicago Bar Association -- Member, Matrimonial Law Committee
• Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County -- Secretary, 2000 - present
  

Past Employment Positions

• Cook County, Assistant State's Attorney, 1973 - 1975
• Justice Joseph J. Drucker, Illinois Appellate Court, Law Clerk, 1972 - 1973

Lawyers

Jerald Kessler

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Location : Libertyville, IL

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