Attorney Maxine Weiss Kunz

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Maxine Weiss Kunz is a Founding Member and Principal of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC. She has concentrated her practice solely in family law since 2005, including: traditional litigation, adoptions, and collaborative law. Maxine also has a wealth of experience in drafting, negotiating, and prosecuting Premarital Agreements (and Postnuptial Agreements). She is also certified to practice collaborative law in Illinois. Maxine has been recognized many times in the legal community for her achievements, including her selection as a Super Lawyer for years 2017-2024 and in 2019 as one of 40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch by the American Society of Legal Advocates. In 2023 Maxine became a Fellow of the prestigious AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), both in Illinois and nationally. Previously, Maxine sat on the board of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and is a certified mediator through the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Cook County courts. She is also currently on the board of the AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), a professional group dedicated to education, research, and identifying best practices in family law systems. In addition to representing parties, Maxine is also certified for appointment to represent children in her capacity as a Child Representative or Guardian ad Litem, in Cook County.

Maxine has been known to say that she treats her clients like family. She sees divorce as an opportunity to make her clients whole again, to forge a positive future for themselves, and to reclaim their financial and emotional security. The outcomes of her clients’ cases are important to her, not only due to her professional reputation as an attorney, but also as someone who wants to see justice served and families healed. She recognizes that successful settlements are made through careful preparation and attention to detail, which is why she works tirelessly behind the scenes. Maxine has also built a reputation for being fierce in the courtroom. In her own words, “Even when a case is working toward settlement, I am simultaneously preparing it for trial, because that’s the best way to settle a case effectively; and if it does not settle, you need to be prepared to try the matter and not be taken by surprise.”

Prior to founding Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, Maxine worked for one of the most aggressive, boutique, family law firms in Chicago. Since starting her own firm with her partner, she has successfully tried and won numerous cases against large firms, including on the topics of relocation, tracing of assets (non-marital property), contesting premarital agreements, and personal jurisdiction. In a recent victory, Maxine had a case transferred to Florida after the Court ruled Illinois was not the proper forum to hear the case. “We bring competitive pricing and small firm attention to each case, but with the knowledge and experience of a large firm,” says Maxine.

Maxine received her undergraduate degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she double-majored in Psychology and Communications. She earned her J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law and received highest recognition in its Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution program, and as a member of Chicago-Kent's prestigious Mock Trial Team. Maxine continues to stay connected to her alma mater by volunteering as an Alumni Ambassador for Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Maxine has published numerous articles, lectured on various family law issues, and is a member of the following professional organizations: Illinois State Bar Association, Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and DuPage County Bar Association. Maxine is on the Board and acting Treasurer for the AFCC-IL chapter. She is also substantially involved in the ISBA, including sitting on committees and frequent volunteer work. In March 2018, she was featured in a spotlight article in The Catalyst, the newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law. The newsletter highlights the passion and dedication that Maxine brings to her work in family law.

Maxine is a member and sits on the Board of Directors of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). In 2021 she was elected to Treasurer of AFCC. AFCC is the premier interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. AFCC members include many of the leading practitioners, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the family court arena. Her dedication to this group helps her take winning positions in her custody cases, including those involving evaluators, relocation, and other sensitive child-related issues.

Maxine is also a Founding Member of the AACFL, which is an educational institution dedicated to enhancing the legal profession through advanced financial education. Her dedication to this group helps her master complex financial estates in her family law cases. Maxine frequently handles cases involving businesses, multi-generational wealth, and other types of complex estates and/or high net-worth individuals.

When faced with even the most difficult family law cases, Maxine is able to deliver positive results for her clients. One Yelp reviewer said it best when she wrote, “Maxine and her team worked on my complex divorce case for a good year and half. During that time they were professional, compassionate, always responsive to emails and calls, and worked their hardest for the best results possible. Definitely would recommend.” Another review states, “Maxine is one of a kind! She is a fierce litigator who pays attention to every detail. I can never thank her enough for all that she has done for me.”

Maxine, her husband, three children, and their many pets live west of the City. In her "free time," she enjoys swimming or hiking, volunteering at her synagogue, and is involved in a monthly book club (which she jokes is more of a wine/supper club).

Practice Areas

• Family Law
• Divorce
• Adoption
• Premarital and Postnuptial Agreements
• Appeal Prosecution and Defense
• Parentage/Paternity Actions
• Collaborative Law
• Mediation
• Child Representative/Guardian ad Litem
• Dissolution of Same Sex Marriages

Bar Admissions

• Federal Court (Northern District), 2013
• Illinois, 2005

Education

• Family Law Trial Advocacy Program, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, July 2015
• Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D., Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution & Trial Advocacy, Member of Mock Trial Advocacy Team, 2005
• Indiana University-Bloomington, B.A., Telecommunications & Psychology, Minor in Business, 2002

Certifications

• Guardian ad Litem, Cook County
• Child Representative, Cook County
• Certified Mediator
• Certified Collaborative Lawyer

Bar Memberships & Affiliations

• AAML, Fellow (Illinois Chapter) [Get to know...]
• AAML, Fellow (National Chapter)
• Committee member of: Bylaws & Policy, Collaborative Law, Professionalism & Collegiality
• AFCC (Illinois Chapter), Treasurer
• AFCC (Illinois Chapter), Board of Directors
• AACFL, Founding Member
• American Bar Association, Member, ISBA Delegate (2015-Present)
• Illinois State Bar Association
  • Council Member of the Young Lawyer Division (2005-Present)
  • Liaison for the Health Care Section Council (2015-Present)
• Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois
  • Membership Board Committee (2019)
  • Fellow (2005-Present)
• DuPage County Bar Association, Member (2005-Present)
• Chicago Bar Association, Member (2008-2013)
• Alumni Ambassador for Chicago-Kent College of Law

Honors & Awards

• Leading Lawyers, 2021-Present
• Lawyers of Distinction, 2018
• Super Lawyers "Super Lawyer" (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• American Society of Legal Advocates, Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 (2017, 2018, 2019)
• Best Arbitrators & Mediators in Chicago, Expertise, 2016
• 10 Best Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
• Emerging Family Lawyers, "2016 Guide to Jewish Living in Chicago," Leading Lawyers Magazine, 2016
• Top 10 Under 40 (Family Law), National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, 2015
• Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2011, 2013)
• Rated a 10.0 "Superb" on Avvo
• CALI Award of Excellence in Family Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law (2005)

Published Works

• "New law intends to create transparency for woman consumers," The Cataylst, 2018
• "Stree-Free Divorce: Conversations With Leading Divorce Professionals - A Conversation with Maxine Weiss Kunz," Featuring Maxine Weiss Kunz, 2017
• "Interviewing Tips - Suggestions for 'wowing' your interviewer," Illinois State Bar Association, 2015
• "Tips From One Working Mom," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2013
• ARDC hearing board recommends overturning disciplinary action charged against family law attorney, Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Newsletter, 2012
• IRMO Doermer, 955 N.E.2d 1225, (1st Dist. 2011): A nonmodification clause in a Marital Settlement Agreement was upheld despite the unallocated nature of the award of child support and maintenance.
• Changes to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 216, Illinois State Bar Association, 2011
• "Collaborative Law - A Brief Overview," Illinois State Bar Association, 2009
• "Email Etiquette," Illinois State Bar Association Bar News, 2007

Speaking Engagements

• Diversity Symposium & State of the Courthouse Address, DuPage County Bar Association, 2023
• The Do's and Don'ts of Premarital Agreements in Illinois, DuPage County Bar Association, 2021
• Orders of Protection: Sword or Shield?, Chicago Bar Association, 2015
• Visitation Rights of Non-Parents, Advanced Custody and Visitation Issues, 2014
• Ethical Considerations for Lawyers, Basic Skills Course for New Lawyers, 2008
• Caselaw Update: Parental Unfitness in Adoption Actions, GAL Training for Adoption Cases in DuPage County, 2007