Raiford D. Palmer
Raiford D. Palmer, AAML, is a Shareholder in Sullivan Taylor, Gumina &
Palmer, P.C. Raif enjoys solving challenging problems and has a very common
sense, practical approach. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers, the premier professional organization of family law attorneys.
Named a Leading Lawyer in the area of Family Law, Raif concentrates his
practice in high net worth and complex asset divorce matters, especially
those involving business and real estate interests. He handles collaborative
divorce cases as well as litigated matters and mediation. Raif has extensive
legal experience in commercial litigation, business transactions, and
personal injury litigation, which gives him a broader understanding of
these issues in divorce matters.
He has substantial jury and bench trial experience, and has argued an appeal
before the Illinois Appellate Court. Raif is also a speaker regarding
dissolution of marriage issues both for attorneys in legal education courses
as well as for groups serving the general public. Raif published articles
and spoken for legal education events on family law topics and trained
other attorneys in trial practice techniques.
Raiford D. Palmer concentrates in Family and Divorce Law, post-divorce
matters, and prenuptial agreements.
Areas of Practice:
Current Employment Position(s):
Bar Admissions:
- Illinois, 1994
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1994
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
Education:
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1994
- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, B.A., Political Science/Prelaw, 1991
Certifications:
- Certified Guardian ad Litem, Circuit Court, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit,
DuPage County
Published Works:
- Tax Issues for the Non-Traditional Couple, DCBA Brief, May 2009
- Valuation and Division of Business Assets in Divorce, DCBA Brief, April 2008
- Grandparent Visitation: A Practitioner's Approach Family Law, December 2007
Classes/Seminars Taught:
- NBI Seminars, “Failure to Obtain and Interpret Financial Documents”
and “Avoiding Inaccurate Asset Valuation,” March 2014
- Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois Seminar, “Complex Financial
Cases and the Role of Financial Professionals,” November 2013
- NBI Seminar, “Resolving Disputes and Speeding Up the Process,”
and “Ethical Dilemmas,” September 2013
- Civil Law Trial Advocacy Program, DuPage County Bar Association, Spring 2012
- Guardian Ad Litem Training, DuPage County Bar Association, Fall 2011
- The New Rules of Evidence, Presentation to DuPage County Bar Association
Family Law Committee, Spring 2011
- Pitfalls in Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, DuPage County Bar Association
Mega Meeting, 2011
- Divorce Law Basics, "Navigating the Storm of Divorce," The Oasis
Experience, 2009
- Introduction to Divorce Law, 2008
Honors and Awards:
- Leading Lawyers, 2016
- Super Lawyers, 2016
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) - Fellow
- Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois - Fellow
- American Bar Association - Member
- Illinois State Bar Association - Member
- DuPage County Bar Association - Member
- Chicago Bar Association - Member
- Will County Bar Association - Member
Charitable Activities:
- Family Shelter Service of DuPage, Inc.
- Vice President, Member of Board of Directors, Former Secretary
Fraternities/Sororities: