The law firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP proudly announced Tuesday the addition of Michele M. Jochner to its legal team.  Joining the firm as a partner, she previously served as a judicial law clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann G. Morrow from 1987 until the Justice’s retirement from the bench in July of 2006, then serving in the same capacity to Justice Charles E. Freeman. Jochner is a recognized legal scholar, expert writer and educator to both law students and attorneys.

“It has been a true honor and privilege to have served for the past 15 years as a judicial law clerk to both Justice Mary Ann McMorrow and Justice Charles Freeman, and I sincerely thank them and the entire court for that unparalleled opportunity.  During my tenure with this State's highest tribunal, I have worked on numerous high-profile matters involving cutting-edge issues of first impression, providing me with a unique breadth and depth of experience in all areas of substantive law combined with a keen understanding of the mechanics of our courts of review,” said Jochner. “I also have a career-long commitment of service through work with bar associations, community groups and charitable organizations. In charting my next step after the Illinois Supreme Court, I looked for a firm that shares my values.  Schiller DuCanto & Fleck has an established reputation of legal excellence, professionalism and giving back to the profession and community. My hope is that my first-hand experiences and crucial insights into the State appellate court system will complement the practice.”

The firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is the largest family law firm of its kind in the country. It is internationally recognized as a model for firms practicing in family law and primarily focusing on solving affluent clients’ problems to achieve the best possible results. Its mission of ensuring quality, knowledge and experience to clients is evident through numerous awards, including being named as one of the best law firms in 2011-2012 by U.S. News & World Report. It is also recognized as having outstanding lawyers in peer ratings and publications such as Best Lawyers in America and Law Dragon Top 500.

“Schiller DuCanto & Fleck has grown over the last several decades as a result of the quality of service we provide. Each time a new attorney joins our talented team we look for ways to enhance our legal scope,” said one of its founding partners, Don Schiller.  “As a firm, we are at the forefront of precedent-setting matters that have shaped the divorce practice. Having Michele join us from the Illinois Supreme Court strengthens our tradition of excellence, and her perspective and knowledge within every area of appellate practice will be of benefit to our firm and our clients. She will be a tremendous resource in researching, crafting and communicating compelling appellate strategy and arguments. Everyone at the firm is enthused to welcome Michele, she is a brilliant legal mind.”

Jochner has authored more than 100 articles on a wide array of legal topics appearing in publications nationwide, and her column, “Law From A Different Perspective,” appears regularly in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In addition, she is listed in several Who’s Who publications and was previously recognized as one of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. She also regularly speaks on legal issues to various groups across the State.

As a recognized leader in the Chicago legal community, she is active with many organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), where she serves as a member of both the Executive Committee of the CBA’s Alliance for Women and of the Editorial Board of the CBA Record, and chairs the CBA's Committee on Public Affairs. She is similarly active with the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), where she is a past member of the Board of Governors and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Illinois Bar Journal, as well as co-editor of both the Bench & Bar Newsletter and Trial Briefs. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), as well as on two panels at her alma mater, DePaul University College of Law: the Dean’s Council and the Advisory Board for the Center for Public Interest Law. She also holds several leadership positions within the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and serves on the Leader Council for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.       

Jochner received her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Mundelein College in 1987, and is a 1990 graduate of DePaul University College of Law, where she received her J.D. with honors and was elected to the Order of the Coif. In 1992, she also earned an LL.M. degree from DePaul.

Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP currently has a total of 44 attorneys. Jochner’s starting day at the firm is Nov. 19, 2012.

About Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP 

Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLPis the largest law firm in the country focusing exclusively on family law. Internationally recognized in the field of family law, its 44 lawyers have more than 700 years of combined experience and have been named as outstanding attorneys in peer ratings and publications including The Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers, and the Leading Lawyers Network. With three offices in the Chicagoland area, the firm’s large size is unique among family law firms. Using a team approach, the firm’s attorneys concentrate on particular practice areas within family and matrimonial law. Schiller DuCanto & Fleck’s talented lawyers have served the profession in many capacities including former Chief Judges of county Domestic Relations Divisions, former Justices of the Appellate Court and Judges of the Illinois Circuit Court. Its attorneys are on the faculties of several Chicago law schools and authors of numerous articles in state and national publications.

Schiller DuCanto & Fleck’s missionis to work with clients to solve problems and achieve the best possible result, providing a wide range of services tailored to its clients’ unique needs. As part of their commitment to the local community, the firm’s lawyers give a minimum of 40 hours a year to pro bono activities. In addition, DePaul University College of Law recognized Schiller DuCanto & Fleck by naming its family law center in honor of the firm. The Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center is the largest center in the nation at an accredited law school focused on teaching students family law. For more information about Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP visit www.sdflaw.com