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Benedict Schwarz II

Benedict Schwarz II

Attorney at Law Offices of Benedict Schwarz, II PC
  • Divorce, Family Law, Estate Planning ...
  • Illinois
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Biography

Benedict Schwarz, II has limited his practice to matrimonial and family law for over 40 years. He is a past director of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is also a trained divorce mediator; Mr. Schwarz has taught numerous 40-hour divorce mediation training and conflict resolution seminars and has also co-authored chapters on the subject in the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education publications.

In 1992, Mr. Schwarz was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as a Commissioner of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). In 2001, Mr. Schwarz was appointed the Chairperson of the Commission from January 2001 - December 2010 and after serving out his term as Chairperson, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Benedict to sit on the Review Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission from January 2011 to present.

Mr. Schwarz is also active in the Kane County and Illinois State Bar Associations where he has held several committee positions, including serving on the Family Law Section Council, Child Support Sub-Committee and Domestic Violence Task Force. He chaired the Kane County State’s Attorney Task Force on Domestic Violence and the Kane County Batterer’s Task Force.

Admitted to the bar in 1971, Mr. Schwarz is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology. Benedict has also had the honor of being named one of Illinois Super Lawyers every year since 2006. Only 5% of Illinois attorneys receive this honor each year. Martindale Hubbell, has also rated Mr. Schwarz with their highest level of AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 and he is also an Advanced Practitioner member of The Association for Conflict Resolution.

Practice Areas
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
Additional Practice Areas
  • Alimony & Support
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Adoption
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    45 Minute Initial Consultation at No Charge
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Review Board Member
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
- Current
Chairperson
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
-
Education
The John Marshall Law School
J.D. (1971) | Law
The John Marshall Law School Logo
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. (1965) | Social Psychology
University of Wisconsin - Madison Logo
Awards
Selected to Super Lawyers 2006-present
Super Lawyers
Preeminent - Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
Martindale-Hubbell
Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Dundee, IL
Super Lawyers
AVVO Rating - Top Attorney
AVVO
Professional Associations
Kane & McHenry County Courts
Court Approved Mediator
Current
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The Conservation Foundation
Board of Trustees Member
- Current
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DuPage County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Review Board Member
- Current
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Super Lawyers
- Current
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Freedom Farm
Board of Directors Member
- Current
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McHenry County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Illinois State Bar Association  # 2526506
Member, Former Family Law Section Council, Chair of Child Support Sub-Committee, Domestic Violence Task Force and Special Project Chair for Drafting Revisions for the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
- Current
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Kane County Bar Association
Member, Former Chair Family Law Committee, Board of Directors, Treasurer and Chair Legislative Committee
- Current
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Boys and Girls Club of Elgin
Board of Directors Member
-
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Academy of Family Mediators
Advanced Practitioner
-
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American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Fellow, Former Vice President, Board of Directors Member, Legislation & Lobbying Committee, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and Continuing Legal Education Committee
-
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University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Psychology
Board of Visitors Member
-
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Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Chairperson
-
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Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Commissioner
-
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Northern Illinois University Law School
Board of Visitors Member
-
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Kane County Courts
Member - Child Custody Evaluation Task Force
-
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Open Door Clinic
Board of Directors Member
-
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Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) of Illinois
Board of Directors Member
-
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Kane County State's Attorneys Office
Chairperson - Domestic Violence Task Force
-
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Kane County State's Attorneys Office
Chairperson - Batterer's Task Force
-
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Publications
Articles & Publications
"Mediation and Family Law" in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education
"Negotiating Child Custody Issues" in Child Custody Litigation
Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education
Speaking Engagements
How Stereotypes Affect Credibility Determinations, ARDC Disciplinary Commission Board Seminar
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
The Social Psychological Ramifications of Bias on the Judicial Process, ARDC Disciplinary Commission Board Seminar
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
Assets vs. Income in Dissolution Matters
Kane County Bar Association
Legal Issues
Del Webb Community
Handling the Impossible Mediation, Annual Conference
Academy of Family Mediators
Probation from a Commissioner's View
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
Organized an Moderated The Alternative Dispute Panel, The Civil Practice and Procedure Section
Allerton House
How to Answer ARDC Complaints, ISBA Mid-Year Meeting
Illinois State Bar Association
New Legislation
Kane County Bar Association
Conciliation Report, Blue Ribbon Committee of Conciliation for DuPage County
Impairments Screening in Mediation, Mediation Class
Northern Illinois University
How to Use Quicken in Family Law, ISBA Annual Meeting
Illinois State Bar Association
Fifteen Common Areas of Complaint for the Family Law Practitioner, Family Law Committee
Will County Bar Association
ARDC Trends in "Big Four" Practice Areas, Family Law Committee
Will County Bar Association
Limit on Trustee's Discretion, ABA 11th Annual National Forum on Client Protection Funds
American Bar Association
Presenting the Domestic Abuse Case, ISBA Mid-Year Meeting
Illinois Bar Association
Legal Issues, Alcoholism Drug Dependence Program
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Hot Tips: The Retainer Agreement, ISBA Annual Meeting
Illinois State Bar Association
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Cable Television
Legalese
Illinois Domestic Violence Act
Elgin Community Crisis Center
Court Ordered Mediation in the Collar Counties, Mediation Council of Illinois
Mediation Council of Illinois
Effective Post-Trial Motions an Post Judgment Relief, Family Law Update
Illinois State Bar Association
ARDC Woes - How to Avoid, Law Ed Series
Illinois State Bar Association
KIDS Divorce Education Program, Family Law Seminar
Kane County Bar Association
Lawyers Assistance Program, Professional Responsibility Seminar
Kane County Bar Association
Client Interview and Intake, Fees, Young Lawyers Division
Kane County Bar Association
Moderator at Family Law Update, ISBA IJA Joint Meeting
Illinois State Bar Association
New Support Guidelines, Automatic Restraining Orders, Family Law Seminar
Kane County Bar Association
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Law Ed Series Annual Meeting
Illinois State Bar Association
Divorce Law
People's Law School Class
Legislative Update, Family Law Seminar
Kane County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
Explanation of Kane County Divorce Mediation Rule, Family Law Seminar
Kane County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
Contempt: Civil/Criminal, Direct/Indirect
Kane County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
Tenancy by the Entirety
Kane County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
How to Save Time at Trial
Kane County Bar Association
Retainer Agreements After Dowling
Kane County Bar Association
Mediation and Ethics
McHenry County Bar Association
The Role of the ARDC, ISBA Bench & Bar Section, DePaul University College of Law
McHenry County Bar Association
The Requirements for Handling Retainers under New Supreme Court Rule 1.15, Kane County Bar Association - Practice Management Seminar
Certifications
Divorce Mediator
Divorce Mediation Institute
Websites & Blogs
Website
Law Offices of Benedict Schwarz, II PC
Blog
Contact & Map
Law Offices of Benedict Schwarz, II PC
303 W. Main Street
West Dundee, IL 60118
US
Telephone: (847) 428-7725
St. Charles Office
100 Illinois Street
Suite 200
St. Charles , IL 60174
US
Telephone: (630) 200-4882