"There is nothing more rewarding than finding the law that supports your client's position."
Ms. Siewerth heads the firm's appeals and research department, which focuses on client matters that involve the investigation into and argument on issues of law, primarily the prosecution or defense of an appeal of a trial court ruling to the Appellate or Supreme Court of Illinois. She is the author of "Custody Appeals" in the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education publication Child Custody Litigation, as well as various articles in the Illinois Bar Journal and the American Bar Association Family Advocate. She is also a frequent speaker on issues such as international child abduction, child custody and new developments in family law. A former judicial law clerk with the Illinois Appellate Court and current member of the Appellate Lawyers Association, she has taught appellate advocacy at The John Marshall Law School and has been on the faculty of several appellate writing workshops and seminars.
Education
John Marshall Law School, J.D.with distinction (1981)
Northwestern University, B.S. (1961)
Northwestern University, M.A. (1962)
Jesus College, Oxford, England
Admissions
Illinois (1981)
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit (1995)
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Memberships
Order of John Marshall
Chicago (Legislation Subcommittee)
(1985-1986)
Chicago (Member: Matrimonial Law Committee)
(1984-1994)
Chicago (Supreme Court Rules Subcommittee)
(1986-1994)
Chicago (Current Law Subcommittee)
(1986-1994)
American (Member, Family Law Section) Bar Associations
Illinois State (Member, Family Law Section) Bar Associations
Awards and Honors
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, by Neifeh and Smith, 2007-2013
Leading Lawyers Network, 2011-2013
Illinois Super Lawyer, 2005-2013
Adjunct Faculty
The John Marshall Law School, 1986-
Articles and Publications
Trial Practice and Procedure
Significant Developments in Family Law Over the Last 25 Years
Family Law Topics Blog
Confidentiality of Custody Evaluations
Family Law Topics Blog
What You Need to Know About Civil Unions in Illinois
Family Law Topics Blog
England Decides “Fair” Premarital Agreements are to be Enforced
Effects of the Civil Union Act
Family Law Topics Blog
Divorce Insurance: Financial Planning Before Marriage?
Property Issues
Revisiting Transmutation 20 Years Later:Still Untamed?
Authorships
"Patronage, Arbitrary Discharge and Public Policy: Redefining the Balance of Interests in Employment," 14 John Marshall Law Review, 1981
Continuity of Mental State: Reviving The Inclusionary Approach to Admitting Other Crimes Evidence, 73 Illinois Bar Journal 344, 1985
Chapter, Rights of Putative Fathers to Custody and Visitation, Child Custody & Visitation Law and Practice, Matthew Bender, 1987
Chapter, "Appeals in Custody and Visitation Cases," Child Custody Litigation, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1992, 1996, 2001.
Co-Author, Chapter, Trial Practice Considerations, Illinois Family Law, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989.
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