A child of divorce herself, Sharon is familiar with the impact of divorce and its attendant impact on a family, both short-term and long-term.  She focuses her advocacy on conflict resolution and puts the client first every step of the way.  Sharon has committed herself to advocacy in family law since the inception of her professional career.  Growing up in Illinois and being raised by a social worker and an accountant, a career in family law came naturally. Sharon earned her legal degree at Loyola Chicago School of Law with a Certificate in Child and Family Law.  She brings to the table a unique background in child welfare law, school law, and matrimonial law. Sharon now concentrates on the parenting concerns and financial complexities associated with divorce and paternity.

Don’t mistake Sharon for taking a soft approach on hard problems, though. Sharon is ready to litigate if this path is in her client’s best interest.  She is not afraid of a challenge.  When not in the courtroom, Sharon regularly practices “leave no trace” camping, whether it be in the rugged mountains or elsewhere in the wilderness.  She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Sharon received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her Juris Doctor degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.  Since her admission to the Illinois Bar, Sharon has had experience in domestic relations, special education law, probate, and juvenile court matters. Sharon’s publications include the following:

• Reform in School Discipline in Illinois, The Docket, June 2017
• A Critical Analysis of the Collaboration of Child Welfare Professionals, Praxis, Fall 2014, Vol. 13
• Legislative Update: The House’s Response to At-Risk Children Without a Home, Children’s Legal Rights Journal, January 2014, Vol. 34, Issue 2

Licensed in 2015, Sharon already is an award-winning attorney in Family Law, having been named an Emerging Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company consecutively since 2017, which is a distinction earned by fewer than two percent of all attorneys licensed to practice law in Illinois.  Sharon currently practices in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, and Kendall Counties, and she also serves as a Guardian ad Litem for the Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, DuPage County.  

Ready to talk? Book a new client consultation with Sharon Falen here.