Jennifer L. Lavin focuses her practice exclusively on divorce and family law matters. While Jennifer has extensive litigation experience, her current practice is focused on her passion for advocating for children as a Cook County Child Representative and Guardian Ad Litem, and upon alternative dispute resolution in her roles as a Parenting Coordinator, Mediator, and Collaborative Attorney. Jennifer is admitted to the Bar in Illinois and has represented clients located in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will counties.
Before joining Davis Friedman, Jennifer was the Principal Attorney of Jennifer L. Lavin, P.C. Prior to forming her firm, Jennifer also gained significant family law experience with several Chicago family law firms.
Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from the College of Saint Benedict with a major in Government and a minor in English. Prior to law school, Jennifer was a college professor of Political Science and Gender Studies and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Jennifer earned her J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she gained extensive family law training as a research assistant to family law Professor Katharine Baker, as an intern in the Family Law Clinic under the supervision of family law Professor Rhonda DeFreitas, as an Advocate in the Circuit Court of Cook County Domestic Violence Court, and as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Raul Vega in the Circuit Court of Cook County Domestic Relations Division. Jennifer also received valuable trial advocacy training as a member of the award-winning Chicago-Kent College of Law Trial Advocacy Team.
Jennifer is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, Will County Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Collaborative Divorce Illinois, and the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago. Ms. Lavin is a recipient of the Illinois Super Lawyers Award, the Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star Award, and the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Distinguished Service Award.
Jennifer has numerous academic awards and publications and has participated in speaking engagements for The Lilac Tree, various continuing legal education seminars, and at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Jennifer and her husband reside in downtown Chicago. In her time away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her stepsons, grandson, and nephew as well as cooking and exercise.
Expertise
Jennifer is a zealous advocate for children as a Cook County Child Representative and Guardian Ad Litem. Jennifer also assists litigants with alternative dispute resolution as a Parenting Coordinator and a Mediator. Jennifer is a dedicated supporter of alternative dispute resolution in collaborative divorce matters as a Collaborative Attorney.
Education & Publication
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012
- University of Illinois at Chicago, 2010
- College of St. Benedict, 1994
Admission
- 2014, Illinois
Honors and Awards
- Super Lawyers Illinois Super Lawyer: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Super Lawyers Illinois Rising Star: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Distinguished Service Award, 2019
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- DuPage County Bar Association
- Lake County Bar Association
- Will County Bar Association
- Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
- Collaborative Divorce Illinois
- Professional Women’s Club of Chicago
Speaking and Publications
- Jennifer has numerous academic awards and publications and has participated in speaking engagements for The Lilac Tree, various continuing legal education seminars, and at Chicago-Kent College of Law.