– CHICAGO– Dec. 21, 2011 – Prominent custody litigators Arthur Kallow and Leslie Arenson of the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving. Ltd., obtained possession of a 14-year-old child after she was found to be living in a potentially dangerous environment.  Cook County Judge Martha A. Mills ordered a transfer of possession of the young child to her father this week.

The 14-year-old girl was identified to be living at the home of an unrelated 35-year-old La Grangeman, Anthony Valerio, who is currently being investigated on drug charges.

According to court documents, the home where the child was residing was ransacked in a home invasion by three suspects using firearms on Dec. 9, 2011.  A subsequent investigation led La Grange Police to arrest Valerio on drug charges.  That is when the child’s father Oscar Arcineigas leapt into action to immediately obtain possession of his daughter.

Judge Mills entered an order stating that the mother, “shall not expose the child to Anthony Valerio and shall not bring the child to any location in which illegal drugs are present or otherwise expose the child to illegal drugs.”  Valerio has a history of alleged illegal drug violations.

Attorney Art Kallow stressed the vital importance of the kind of environment a child should have. “Growing up, a child’s home should be a nest of protection and safety, but that is not always the case.  Generally speaking, residences that double as places of commerce for illegal drugs are simply unsafe and put the child’s interests last.”

“Children are often the innocent victims when illegal drug-trafficking and a culture of violence become a part of their daily lives,” said Attorney Leslie Arenson.  “The health, well-being and safety of children is our top priority.”

The next court date is set for February 9, 2012, at 10:00AM in the Richard J. Daley Center in Courtroom CL12 before Judge Mills.

Jeffery Leving is the publisher of Leving’s Divorce Magazine. (http://levingsdivorcemagazine.com).

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Atty Jeff Leving & Pres Obama

Chicago Divorce Lawyer Jeffery Leving and President Obama discuss the importance of the Latino vote for the next Presidential election in New York City.

Atty Jeff Leving & Pres Obama

Chicago, IL – June 23, 2011 – Attorney Jeffery M. Leving will be receiving the “Distinguished Alumnist” award from ManKind Project Chicago (MKP) on June 26, 2011.  The award will be presented at the annual Way of the Warrior (WOW) Dinner & Awards for “Mission of Service.”  MKP is a service-based group who honors men dedicated to improving the lives of others.  Mr. Leving will be receiving this award in recognition of all of his hard work and success promoting and defending the rights of fathers.

“I am thankful to everyone at ManKind Project for such an amazing honor. It goes to show all ManKind leaders in the future that if you work hard for what you believe in, you can change the world like each one of ManKind’s leaders do today,” comment Leving.

Named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio, Jeffery Leving is the author of two ground-breaking books, Fathers’ Rights and Divorce Wars.

Jeffery M. Leving received his Juris Doctor from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law in 1979. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Leving has lectured locally and nationally on family law issues. His firm concentrates in Matrimonial and Family Law where he leads a team of highly skilled and litigators. Mr. Leving received the Recognition and Commendation Award for Meritorious Service to the Public and Legal Community from the Illinois State Bar Association and the coveted “Protection of the Family” award from the Illinois State Crime Commission. In 2006, Mayor Daley and Members of the Chicago City Council honored Jeffery Leving for his tireless campaign to defend men’s rights by enacting a city ordinance declaring the Southeast corner of Madison and LaSalle Streets near the Daley Center Courthouse in Downtown Chicago: “HONORARY JEFFERY M. LEVING WAY”.

Mr. Leving holds the governor appointed position as Chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood and is also the President Emeritus of the Fatherhood Educational Institute. In August 2009, Mr. Leving was selected by the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships as an expert resource to join senior White House staff and other community leaders at the first White House Community Roundtable and Town Hall Meeting on Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families in Chicago.

CHICAGO, May 3 – Markham Judge Coughlin vacated a $29,000 child support arrearage (and approx. $14K in interest) against U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Clay today. This arrearage was set January 10th, 2003, based on a default judgment of paternity. The effects of this arrearage were handcuffing Staff Sergeant Clay in his personal financial life and destroyed his credit. This also prevented career advancement in the military.

These pitfalls should now hopefully be at an end due to the court’s decision today. Staff Sergeant Clay’s veteran attorney, Jenét Pequeño of the Law Offices of Jeffery M, Leving, Ltd., successfully coordinated today’s strategic litigation.

“I critically researched the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Civil Relief Act and then filed my motion to vacate the default judgment pursuant to that important federal statute,” said Pequeño. Furthermore, Pequeño stated, “The court correctly vacated the 2003 default judgment.”

After today’s decision, Staff Sergeant Clay was granted a DNA test for the first time to determine if he is the father of the child for whom he had been paying child support for since 2003. Clay has been battling the court system for years for this opportunity to seek justice and was given that chance today.

Jeffery M. Leving Honors Mayor Richard Daley for his Commitment to Chicago Fathers

View Letter Below from Mayor Daley

Influential Chicago Attorney Jeffery Leving Celebrates with Movie Icon Robert Redford

CHICAGO, April 1 — Prominent Fathers’ Rights Attorney Jeffery Leving meets with movie icon Robert Redford at the River East Art Center after the Chicago screening of “The Conspirator” which he directed. Also present is Thomas Ricketts.

The movie tells the story of the trial of Mary Surratt who was accused of being part of a conspiracy in the Lincoln assassination. A major theatrical release is planned for April 15, 2011, the 146th anniversary of the assassination of President Lincoln. The film is financed by the American Film Co., controlled by the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs.

Leving owns original historical documents directly related to the Surratt trial which gives documented insight into this event that shook our nation.

Named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio, Jeffery Leving (http:// dadsrights.com) is the author of two ground-breaking books, Fathers’ Rights and Divorce Wars. He co-authored the Illinois Joint Custody Law and has made frequent appearances as an expert legal analyst and commentator on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, FOX National News, and ABC News.

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Chicago, IL – Oct. 29, 2010 – With the great response to Jeffery Leving’s interview with Governor Pat Quinn last Sunday on Soul 106.3 FM, Leving will re-broadcast the exclusive interview in its entirety Sunday, Oct. 31st at 2:00PM.

Tune in and listen to renowned Fathers’ Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving speak with Gov. Quinn about many significant issues heading into the 2010 gubernatorial election on November 2nd.  This election is critical to our state and nation. It can affect the next presidential election.

Listen to Gov. Quinn announce President Obama’s appearance in Chicago on the Governor’s behalf, who was a former guest during the last election. The Governor will discuss President Clinton’s supportive appearance in Chicago as well.

Other interview topics include: the state of the economy, the need for job creation in Illinois, Attorney Leving’s strong history of advocacy for fathers, healthcare, their deep mutual commitment to the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood (http://www.responsiblefatherhood.illinois.gov) and retired SFC James Hagler’s service to our country and current legal advocacy for military families.

“I am honored to have Governor Quinn on my radio show and applaud his dedication to responsible fatherhood,” said Leving of Fathers Rights Radio (http://www.fathersrightsradio.com).

This week’s broadcast of Gov. Quinn’s interview will be preceded by a discussion by Jeffery Leving and distinguished Attorney Arthur Kallow. They will discuss Kallow’s unique and innovative litigation techniques which he has successfully utilized representing clients over the last 30 years. Mr. Kallow was selected by his peers in the legal community as an “Illinois Super Lawyer.”

CHICAGO, IL, July 8, 2010 –As President Obama announced his new fatherhood initiative in Washington, DC, fathers’ rights attorney Jeffery Leving met with Vice President Joe Biden in Chicago and discussed the importance of this new program.

“It was great to meet with Vice President Biden and have a dialogue about the importance of fatherhood,” Leving said. “During his tenure as a Senator, the Vice President commuted to Washington DC every day from his home in Delaware so he could be with his children. That is the sacrifice of being a father.”

Mr. Leving took the opportunity to present the Vice President with the 2010 Fatherhood Recognition Award, on behalf of The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd., for being a model to fathers across America.

Jeffery M. Leving is a nationally renowned matrimonial attorney and is the founder of dadsrights.com. On August 5, 2009, Leving was selected as an expert resource for the White House Roundtable & Town Hall Meeting on Responsible Fatherhood.

Attorney Jeffery Leving Co-Authors 4 New Illinois Laws
Forging Steps Towards Equal Justice in Family Law

Chicago, IL) August 31, 2009 – Gov. Pat Quinn has just signed into law 4 Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood (ICRF) bills that passed both houses of the General Assembly.

“As Chairman of the ICRF, I am pleased to have co-authored these bills. I want to thank legislators from both parties who helped pass these new laws,” said Jeffery Leving.

Mr. Leving summarized the highlights of the legislation:

SB 1628, sponsored by Sen. Iris Martinez and in the House by Rep. Deborah Mell, accomplishes two things: It amends the Paternity Act and other Acts, to insure that both parties be informed to their right to DNA testing before an adjudication of paternity can be made either through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, court proceedings or by an administrative law judge. It also amends the visitation interference section of the Criminal Code and sets forth that it is now a criminal offense to deny the other parent their right to parenting time or custody time. Previously, only visitation interference was a crime. (Signed into law: August 11, 2009)

SB 1590, sponsored by Sen. Pamela Althoff and in the House by Rep. Sandra Pihos, and which was unanimously passed, allows children and non-custodial parents to use electronic visitation technologies such as email, telephone, internet and video conferencing. Illinois becomes the sixth state to pass Virtual Visitation Legislation and this can open the door to virtual visitation for incarcerated fathers in Illinois. (Signed into law: August 11, 2009)

HB 4008, sponsored by Rep. Jehan Gordon and in the Senate by Sen. Iris Martinez, includes the paternity provisions of SB 1628. It amends the Paternity Act to insure that both parties be clearly informed to their right to DNA testing before a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity is signed or the paternity order is entered by the court or administrative law judge. (Signed into law: August 14, 2009)

HB 2266, sponsored by Rep. Ken Dunkin and in the Senate by Sen. Iris Martinez, amends the visitation interference section of the Criminal Code with the use of terms used in family cases today (i.e. parenting time and custody time). (Signed into law: August 25, 2009)