Education
The John Marshall Law School, J.D. (1980)
Kalamazoo College; DePaul University, B.S.C. (1976)
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, MBA, with honors and a specialization in organizational behavior (2012)
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant, Illinois, 1978
Certified Financial Planner, 1991
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, 2000
Military
U.S. Marine Corps, 1973-1975
Understanding that gaining an equitable financial settlement is a priority for clients, Carlton Marcyan, a senior partner of the firm and a certified public accountant and financial planner, applies his business acumen to financial discovery, analysis and litigation. With a focus on optimizing assets, he guides clients to strategic decisions that are geared to a positive return. Well-regarded by lawyers, financial professionals, the business community and judges, Mr. Marcyan represents high-level executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and their spouses.
Known for his respectful style, Mr. Marcyan believes that listening carefully to clients and working together with them makes for a stronger case. He emphasizes matching the right divorce process to the client's needs. An experienced litigator, Mr. Marcyan has also been a leader in collaborative law.
Prior to joining Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Mr. Marcyan worked for Coopers & Lybrand, one of the largest international accounting firms now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Internal Revenue Service; during his college years was in the United States Marine Corps. His vast accounting and tax experience and training enable him to evaluate transactions and businesses objectively and quickly understand financial circumstances that elude other divorce lawyers.
- 2018 Chicago Collaborative Law “Lawyer of the Year" - Best Lawyers in America
- 2016 Top Ten Family Lawyer in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Magazine
- 2016 Top 100 Consumer Lawyer in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Magazine
- 2012 Chicago Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America
- 2011 Chicago Collaborative Law “Lawyer of the Year" - Best Lawyers in America
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, by Neifeh and Smith (2005-2019)
- Leading Lawyers Network (1998-2019)
- Illinois Super Lawyer (2005-2019)
- Michael Cohen Award - AAML Illinois Chapter
- CVLS Lawyer of the Year Award
- John Marshall Law School Distinguished Alumni Award
- Illinois (1981)
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court
- Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club, President-Elect (2016-2017)
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Delta Theta Phi
- Chairman, Polish Welfare Association (1991-1992)
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Associations
- Governor and Officer, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (1996-1998)
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants
In the News
- The Master of “Legal Tai Chi” in Family Law - Leading Lawyers Network Magazine
Articles and Publications
- Newsletter - Spring 2019
- Good News For Collaborative Process in Illinois
- Newsletter - Winter 2018
- Newsletter - Fall 2017
- Carlton R. Marcyan - Attorney of the Month, Attorney at Law Magazine
- Eavesdropping in Illinois No Longer a Crime? That is Correct, For the Time Being.
- How to Use Financial Experts More Effectively or How to Avoid CPA Rage
- Tax Filing or Fooling: Review Your Spouse’s Tax Forms
- Discovering Unreported Income
- Riders, Start Your Engines
- Collaborative Law Opens Doors To Families with Special Needs Children
- What Every Estate Planner Should Know About Divorce Laws
A graduate of the John Marshall Law School, Mr. Marcyan received his bachelor's degree from DePaul University and completed his MBA, with honors, at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is a Fellow of both the American and International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the American Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois Society of CPAs, and Financial Planning Association. He is the past president of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and past Chairman of the firm's Executive Committee. He is the immediate past president of the Lake County Bar Foundation, a board member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts-Illinois and a trustee of the Marine Military Academy. He is also a member of the Chicago Crime Commission. Involved in trial practice training for lawyers and experts, he is a principal with Courtroom Bootcamp, LLC.
Mr. Marcyan is listed in Best Lawyers of America, named a Leading Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, selected an Illinois Super Lawyer, and honored as the 2012 Chicago Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" and the 2018, 2014 and 2011 Chicago Collaborative Law "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America.
Lectures
- Trial Techniques and Divorce Taxation, American Bar Association, 1993-1994
- Business Law and Accounting, Northeastern Illinois University, 1981-1986
- Taxation and Trial Practice, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1988-
- Valuation and Financial Planning, Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1990
