Joshua Friedman is an experienced and resourceful attorney who focuses his practice on sophisticated family law matters such as high net worth maintenance and child support, the valuation and division of assets and complex compensation structures. His versatility as a seasoned negotiator and skilled litigator, and his passionate attention to detail, help him focus on the most meaningful aspects of a case. This allows him to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients while remaining dedicated to their top priorities.
Client priorities drive Mr. Friedman’s belief that it’s critical to never lose sight of individual needs and family values when resolving family law disputes. “Details matter when you’re filing for divorce. The resolution of every aspect of a case sets precedents that will affect clients and their families for the rest of their lives,” he maintains. “Seemingly straightforward cases can quickly become complex, especially when children, business interests and estates are involved.“ He is committed to finding and employing the divorce process that is best suited to meeting client needs most efficiently and effectively.
Mr. Friedman also knows that it takes focus on his part to find pragmatic, levelheaded and advantageous strategies to expedite matters when negotiations don’t progress smoothly. “In challenging situations I’m adept at taking creative approaches, which may include divorce mediation and other alternative dispute resolution practices. I’m intimate with the complexities of each option, which lets me help clients make educated choices about how to resolve their cases and achieve expedient and optimal results,” Mr. Friedman explains.
Resolving disputes also requires consideration of the many “what ifs.” What if one partner advances in his or her career? Professionals often have complex compensation programs that deserve consideration. What if one partner takes off time for childcare or illness? “Knowing all the complexities of my clients’ situation and extrapolating potential impending issues gives me the knowledge and insight to prepare a case and obtain solutions that will protect my clients today and in the future,” Friedman says.
Thanks to Mr. Friedman’s deep knowledge of family law matters and extensive courtroom experience, he is very conversant with the intricacies of those options and is a respected and frequent lecturer on a range of topics for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), including business valuations, maintenance awards and prenuptial agreements. He also co-authored the chapter on maintenance law for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE).
Education & Publication
Expertise
Mr. Friedman has extensive experience in divorce, litigation, child custody and support, alternative dispute resolution, tax matters, mediation, maintenance and prenuptial agreements. He is a respected authority on family law matters, serving as a lecturer on a range of topics for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), including business valuations, maintenance awards and prenuptial agreements. He also co-authored the chapter on maintenance law for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE).
Education
- Miami University of Ohio, B.A., 1986
- Washington University Law School, J.D., 1991
Admissions
- Admitted to the Illinois Bar, 1991
Speaking
- IICLE: Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce, “Beyond Disgorgement: Protecting and Collecting Attorneys’ Fees – Doing it Right & Ethically,” Lecturer, 2020
- IICLE: “Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements Workshop,” Faculty, 2019
- IICLE: Child Support and Maintenance: 7 th Biannual Mater Teacher Seminar, “Maintenance Guidelines: What are They and How Do You Prepare and Argue the Elusive Maintenance Guideline Deviation Case?” Lecturer, 2019
- IICLE: “Premarital Agreements in Estate Planning and Family Law,” Lecturer, 2013
- IICLE: “Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements,” Faculty, 2012
- IICLE: “Premarital Agreements: Drafting and Analysis for Family Law and Estate Planning,” Lecturer, 2011
- IICLE: “Family Law Webinar Series: Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements,” Lecturer, 2011
- IICLE: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, “Case Law Updates,” Lecturer, 2009-2011
- IICLE: Gitlin on Divorce: Divorce Basics Presented at an Expert Level by Experts, “Property Caveats: Property Purchased in Contemplation of Marriage,” Lecturer, 2008
- IICLE: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, “Intangible Value of a Professional Practice,” Lecturer, 2008
- IICLE: “Drafting Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements Workshop,” Faculty, 2007
- IICLE: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, “Law & Economics of Cohabitation,” Lecturer, 2007
- IICLE: “Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, An Interactive Drafting Workshop,” Faculty, 2006
- IICLE: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, “Attorney’s Fees-Evolution of Law, Standards and Economics,” Lecturer, 2006
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE): Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, Planning committee, Member, 2005-2011
Articles and Publications
- IICLE: Illinois Family Law, Property and Financial Aspects in Dissolution Actions, Maintenance, Chapter 1, Co-Author, 2009, 2011, 2019
- IICLE: Illinois Family Law: Property and Financial Aspects of Dissolution Actions, Chapter 1S, Co-Author, “Supplement on Maintenance,” 2006, 2013
- Washington University Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law: The Sixth Amendment, Attorney-Client Relationship and Government Intrusions, Who Bears the Unbearable Burden of Proving Prejudice?, Volume 40, 1991
Professional Memberships
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association