Lisa M. Giese

Partner

Over the last two decades, Lisa has handled thousands of uncontested and contested family law matters, including divorce cases involving division of assets, support modification and enforcement proceedings, paternity and parenting time (visitation) matters, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody) and removal (relocation) cases, DCFS appeals, orders of protection, guardianship cases and related matters. Lisa is a zealous advocate for her clients and knows when a case should be settled and when it requires aggressive representation and litigation.

Lisa has been extremely active in the legal community which enhances her legal skills and strengthens her relationship with her colleagues and the judiciary. Lisa’s been involved in the Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association and DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, serving on numerous committees including the Family Law Section Council (ISBA), Child Law Section Council (ISBA), Children’s Advocacy Committee (DCBA), Judicial Evaluation Committee (KCBA) and Wellness Committee (DCBA). Lisa has also served on the Board of Directors for DAWL, DCBA, and DuPage Legal Aid.

As a trained guardian ad litem (GAL) with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County, as well as Cook, Kane and Will County, Lisa has been appointed by the Court on hundreds of occasions to serve in that capacity and to make recommendations in accordance with the best interests of the children. Lisa has also served many years as a volunteer for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in Cook and DuPage Counties assisting the Court in complex abuse and neglect cases within the juvenile court system. While in law school, Lisa focused her studies on family law and earned her Certificate in Child and Family Law.

Lisa's experience with complex financial issues also regularly aids her in her practice of family law. Lisa frequently collaborates with business valuation experts, CPA’s, and forensic investigators when necessary to support her clients’ interests. Her approach to her cases is to listen to her clients’ needs and goals and use her background and experience to counsel them toward the appropriate resolution in a compassionate, efficient and professional manner.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2008
Certificate in Child and Family Law

B.A., Michigan State University, James Madison College, 2004
Honors: Dean's List, Major: Political Theory and Social Relations

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

Illinois
Member Since: 2008

U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
Member Since: 2008

U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
Member Since: 2009

United States Supreme Court
Member Since: 2015

Kane County Bar Association

DuPage County Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

Published Works

  • "Supreme Court Rule 304(a): Does including the language of the rule in an order make it appealable? " Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Newsletter 2015
  • Til Death Benefits do us Part: The Effect of Marital Settlement Agreements on Beneficiary Designations, DCBA Brief, 2010
  • Substitution of Judge as a Matter of Right and the Application in Post-Judgment Proceedings: A Domestic Relations Perspective, DCBA Brief, 2012
  • Navigating Section 607.6 of the IMDMA: The Use of Counseling Communications in Litigation, DCBA Brief, 2020

Speaking Engagements

  • “Divorcing a Narcissist: How is it Relevant to Parenting Time and Allocation of Parenting Responsibilities” DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, 2024 (co-presented with Dr. Roger Hatcher)
  • “Common Mistakes made by GAL’s and How to Avoid Them” DuPage County Bar Association, Guardian ad Litem Training, 2024 (co-presented with Hon. Robert Douglas)
  • “Preparing for Evidentiary Hearings and Trials in Family Law” Kane County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, 2023 (co-presented with Emily J. Rapp)
  • “When Galaxies Collide: Evaluators and GAL’s” DuPage County Bar Association, Guardian ad Litem Training, 2022 (co-presented with Dr. Robert Shapiro)
  • “Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses” DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, 2022 (co-presented with Dr. David Finn)
  • “Interviewing Children as Guardian ad Litem” DuPage County GAL Training Seminar, 2022
  • “GAL ROLE: Appointment through Testimony” Kane County GAL Training Seminar, 2020 (co-presented with Hon. Kimberly DiGiovanni)
  • "GAL Role: Appointment through Testimony" ISBA GAL Training, 2019
  • "Role of the GAL from the Perspective of the GAL"
    DuPage County GAL Training Seminar, 2013 & 2015
  • "GAL Appointed -Now What?"
    Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), 2014
  • "Child Interviews, Evaluations and Investigations"
    DCBA Family Law & Practice Seminar, 2015

Honors and Awards

  • Elite Lawyer, 2019-Present
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star Distinction, 2013-2018
  • Super Lawyers, 2019-Present
  • DuPage County Bar Association Service Award, 2014
  • DuPage County Bar Association Director's Award, 2020

Employment History

Kollias & Giese, P.C.

  • Managing Partner, 2014-2020

Anderson & Associates, P.C.

  • Associate Attorney, 2008-2014

Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

  • Law Clerk and Legal Secretary, 2006-2008
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