Weiss-Kunz and Oliver Attorneys Attend the Annual AAML Gala

 Posted on August 31, 2022 in Uncategorized

On August 27, 2022, Maxine Weiss Kunz and Amanda Oliver were proud to be able to attend the annual Gala of the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). The event took place on the Anita Dee II, which set sail from DuSable Harbor in Chicago around 7:30 p.m. The weather was perfect, and wonderful food was served, including a taco bar and vegetarian options. Since the event had not been held during the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, everyone aboard was glad to be able to mingle and network with each other, dance, and enjoy themselves.

The event had a great turnout, with the majority of judges from Cook County and DuPage County attending. Many judges from Lake County were also in attendance, as well as numerous other family law professionals, including 604.10 child custody evaluators. Judge Regina Scannicchio of Cook County's Domestic Relations division gave a wonderful speech. Attorney Steven Lake accepted the Samuel S. Berger Award on behalf of the late Alan Toback. When he spoke about his partner of more than 30 years, everyone in attendance was moved when he broke down and could not speak.

We were gratified to have the opportunity to connect with others in the Illinois legal community and demonstrate our commitment to the practice of family law. Being able to get together with others in person after the isolation so many of us have experienced over the past two years provided us with a great reminder of the importance of community and personal connections. We strive to provide our clients with the personal touch they deserve as they address complicated, emotional legal matters. Meeting with others who provide high-quality legal representation provides us with the encouragement to always strive for excellence as we advocate for our clients' rights and interests.

About the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is a non-profit association of family law attorneys who have extensive experience representing clients in all types of legal matters related to divorce, child custody, and other cases that affect the relationships between family members. The AAML provides education, training, and networking opportunities for attorneys, and it regularly puts out publications addressing a wide variety of issues related to family law.

With 33 state-wide chapters throughout the United States, the AAML works to improve the standards of practice for lawyers who represent clients in matrimonial matters. This helps ensure that attorneys can provide spouses, parents, or other family members with the legal help they need when addressing divorce-related matters such as the division of marital property, business valuation, parenting time/visitation, child support, spousal support/alimony, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as issues that affect unmarried couples, such as cohabitation agreements and the establishment of paternity.

The Illinois chapter of the AAML is one of the most active chapters in the Academy, and it regularly organizes seminars and continuing legal education classes. The chapter's Fellows work closely with state legislators to provide them with the proper information to ensure that the laws that affect families are implemented correctly, while also advocating for appropriate modifications to the laws to address ongoing societal changes. The chapter also provides donations and support to non-profit organizations that help provide assistance to people in need and ensure that they have access to attorneys who can help them address family law matters.

The Illinois chapter has also created and funded the William Stewart Boyd Scholarship for African-American Law Students. This annual scholarship provides $5,000 to first-year law students, and it is meant to encourage Black students, who have been historically underrepresented in the legal field, to join the profession of family law. In addition to receiving financial assistance, scholarship winners receive mentorship from the award's namesake, Judge William Stewart Boyd.

Contact Our DuPage County Family Law Attorneys

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we are proud to be part of a robust legal community in Illinois, and we are dedicated to providing our clients with effective legal services as they address issues related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and other concerns that affect their families. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you resolve your family law matters in a way that is best for you and your loved ones. To learn more about how we can help you, contact our Elmhurst divorce lawyers today at 312-605-4041 to schedule a consultation.