Making A Difference For Dads

Our Chicago based law firm has a demonstrated record of success on behalf of fathers in custody disputes arising in divorce and paternity cases, in related matters such as domestic violence protection orders, and in post-decree matters such as child abduction, parent relocation and modification of child support orders.

Jeffery M. Leving

profile

Biography

Jeffery M. Leving has been named one of "America's Best Lawyers" by Forbes Radio and selected by his peers as one of Illinois' top attorneys. He is an international leader in advocating for fathers' rights in the courtroom, among politicians and policy makers, with legislative initiatives, in his books and in his radio, television and public speaking appearances. Leving is the founder and president of the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. In Chicago, a firm concentrating in matrimonial and family law which has gained monumental victories for fathers seeking to keep their children in their lives and protect them from danger.

Leving has steadily chipped away at the presumption that when parents split up, children belong with their mother. Thanks to Leving's persistence, overcoming this notion in Illinois courts is no longer the considerable uphill battle it once was - though it is often still a challenge that Leving is always prepared to meet. Leving recently won cases for a father whose child's mother died and the mother's extended family interfered with the father's right as the child's surviving parent to raise his child; and for a father falsely accused of abusing his child.

His accomplishments include the co-authorship of the Illinois Joint Custody Law, Illinois Virtual Visitation, Right to DNA Testing Notice, and Unlawful Visitation or Parenting Time Interference Laws. He has also delivered testimony before both branches of the Illinois Legislature on joint custody, grandparents' visitation and child support accountability bills.

Leving's work has extended beyond U.S. borders. As a tireless advocate for forgotten fathers and their children, he has helped fathers abroad seeking to reunite with their children. He has won cases in which he thwarted mothers who were attempting to flee the United States with a child, where had they been successful, the father would be unlikely to see his child ever again. He has also represented fathers in abductions where the mother did in fact abscond with the child, and using strong detective work and litigation, he reunited these dads and their kids. In 1996, Mother Teresa (now St. Teresa of Calcutta) supported and thanked Leving for his work helping those entrusted to his care.

Leving received international praise for his instrumental work in helping reunite a then 6-year-old Elián González with his father in Cuba. The State Department has referred many international custody cases to him. Leving has been honored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children "in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding commitment to the protection of children and the knowledge of the Hague International Child Abduction issues."

Leving was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law for outstanding achievement in the legal profession and bringing distinction to himself as well as credit to the university. Additionally, 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.

Leving is the author of Fathers' Rights, Divorce Wars, and How to Be a Good Divorced Dad, the latter of which garnered praise from President Barack Obama and an endorsement from Cardinal Francis E. George, then the archbishop of Chicago, who said, "This is a pain-filled book that offers good advice about how to preserve a family born of a marriage that has failed. It's a book that is, unfortunately, more and more needed." He has contributed further to the field by lecturing locally and nationally on family law issues.

Leving served on President Obama's National Finance Committee, and met with the President many times to discuss critical legal and social issues facing the nation. He was chosen by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to provide expert input in the first Town Hall Meeting on Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families in Chicago. Leving serves as the governor-appointed chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood, a state board dedicated to promoting the positive involvement of fathers in the upbringing of their children. As chairman, he convenes an annual symposium on fatherhood issues.

In 2012, the Illinois House of Representatives honored Leving by adopting Resolution No. 995 which reads, "for his work in safeguarding the rights of fathers and protecting the welfare of children and families in this State" and for his "hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois." The Illinois House of Representatives resolved that Leving be presented with a copy of this Resolution "as a symbol of our esteem and respect."

Leving is the recipient of President Biden’s 2023 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, for his “lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.” Also in 2023, the Illinois Senate issued a Certificate of Recognition thanking him for his “efforts in assisting fathers all over the country.” The letter accompanying the Certificate states: “Your work as a Fathers Rights attorney has immensely impacted the lives of many fathers who may otherwise have felt helpless and alone in their pursuit of justice.”

Leving received his Juris Doctor from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1979. He was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Radio and Television from Southern Illinois University in 1974.

Leving was admitted to practice law in the state of Illinois, 1979, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1979, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1980, and the U.S. Supreme Court, 2001. He is a member of several professional associations including the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, the Lake County Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association, the McHenry County Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, the LaSalle County Bar Association, and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.

Education

  • Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • Juris Doctor - 1979
  • Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
    • B.S. - 1974

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1979
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1979
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1980
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
  • U.S. Federal Courts, 1979
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois Trial Bar, 1983

Professional Associations

  • Matrimonial Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association, Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Member, Committee on Matrimonial Law
  • American Association For Justice, Member
  • Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Member

Honors

  • President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., 2023
  • Illinois Senate proclaims recognition of Leving’s efforts on the behalf of fathers, 2023
  • Established the Jeffery M. Leving Scholarship Fund at Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2022
  • Exclusive IR Global Advisor for Family Law in Illinois, IR Global, 2022-present
  • Recipient of the Hon. John S. Martinez Leader Award, 2017
  • Illinois House of Representatives resolution honoring Leving’s work in safeguarding the rights of fathers and protecting the welfare of children and families in the State, 2012
  • Served on President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee, 2013-2017
  • National Lifetime Volunteer Call to Service Award, awarded by President Obama through the Points of Light Foundation, 2011
  • Illinois State Bar Association recognition and commendation award for meritorious service to the public and legal community, 2011
  • Expert on President Obama’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, 2010
  • Selected as an expert resource for the first White House Roundtable & Town Hall Meeting on Responsible Fatherhood in Chicago, 2009
  • Honored by Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago City Council with an honorary street sign, Jeffery M. Leving Way, at LaSalle and Madison Streets, 2006
  • President’s Volunteer Service Award, awarded by President George W. Bush, 2006
  • Protector of the Family Award, Illinois State Crime Commission, 2006
  • Child Advocacy National Certificate of Recognition, American Bar Association, 2004
  • Appointed Chair of the Council on Responsible Fatherhood for the State of Illinois by the Governor of Illinois, 2004
  • Special Recognition for Patriotism on behalf of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 2003
  • Congressional Testimony, the U.S. House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, 2002
  • Special Recognition from the American Coalition for Fathers and Children (ACFC) for his work on the Elian Gonzalez case, 2001
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Award of Merit, 1998
  • Certificate of Award for contributing to drafting of the Illinois Joint Custody Law by the Advocates For Shared Custody, 1986
  • Certificate of outstanding achievement from Fathering Support Services, 1985
  • Co-authored important Illinois laws:
    • SB 1628 – Amends the Paternity Act to insure both parties are informed of their right to DNA testing; establishes that it is now a criminal offense to deny the other parent their right to parenting or custody time.
    • SB 1590 – Allows children and non-custodial parents to use electronic visitation technologies, also known as Virtual Visitation Law.
    • HB 2266 – Amends the visitation interference section of the Criminal Code.
    • 1986 Illinois Joint Custody Law, the precursor to the current joint custody statute.

Published Works

  • Supreme Court should realize medical treatments for kids should be up to the parents, not legislators, Windy City Times, 2024
  • Illinois should join other states that have begun to offer permanent child tax credits to families, Chicago Tribune, 2024
  • Local law enforcement agencies should tap into state witness protection fund to help bring victim families’ closure, Suburban Chicagoland, 2024
  • If you hear or see things about potential violence, you must alert the authorities, Chicago Tribune, 2023
  • Fathers who work remotely need help coping with parenting stress, Chicago Sun Times, 2023
  • Older men should consider more than finances when having kids, Chicago Tribune, Keene Sentinel, The Sun Chronicle, Yakima Herald-Republic, Bedford Gazette, Greensboro News and Record, 2023
  • Right now in several states, including Illinois, unmarried fathers do not automatically have custody rights, Chicago Tribune, 2023
  • Florida gave unmarried fathers equal parental rights. Other states should do it, too, Miami Herald, 2023
  • Despite the fact that 1 in 4 Americans have suffered from some form of mental illness, there is still a large stigma around mental health, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2023
  • Congress steps up to help children and families in need, Chicago Sun-Times, 2023
  • Court order protects girl from purported forced marriage, but police refuse to enforce it, Suburban Chicagoland, 2022
  • Flexible remote work arrangements benefit both employees and their companies, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2022
  • Kids Online Safety Act would Help Protect Children from Social Media Harm, Chicago Sun-Times, 2022
  • Cook County Should Consider Creating Co-parenting Court to Help at-Risk Families, Chicago Tribune, 2022
  • Illinois Needs a Law on Equal Parenting Time to Protect the Rights of Fathers, Chicago Sun-Times, 2022
  • Quality Time for Kids and Parents – a Pandemic Trend that Should Stay, Chicago Tribune, 2022
  • More Engagement by Fathers Would Help Fix Many of Society’s Ills, Chicago Sun-Times, 2021
  • The Build Back Better Bill would Make Paternity Leave Equitable for All Fathers, Chicago Sun-Times, 2021
  • Former Justice: Criticizing Judges for COVID Protocols ‘Really Unfair,’ Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2020
  • Child support arrearage shouldn’t be deducted from CARES Act stimulus, USA Today, 2020
  • Three Ways to Protect our Children in a City where Violence and Shootings are Too Common, Chicago Tribune, 2020
  • Banning Dads from Delivery Room Deprives Dads of Critical Rights, The Examiner, 2014
  • The Father’s Custody Case (co-author), Trial Magazine, 1999
  • In Defense of Deadbeat Dads, Parents Magazine, 1997
  • Men Also Victims of Domestic Violence, Chicago Tribune, 1993
  • Wage Deductions and Child Support, Chicago Defender, 1989
  • Divorced dads don’t deserve humiliation, Chicago Sun-Times, 1989
  • Unfair to Divorced Fathers, Chicago Sun-Times, 1987
  • New Joint Custody Law Puts Child First, Chicago Sun-Times,1986

Media Engagements, Seminars, Testimonies, and Speaking Engagements

  • Host, Dads Rights Legal Hour, weekly radio program on Power 92.3 FM, 2016-present
  • Interview guest, CBS Channel 2, 2024
  • Interview guest, Daytime Chicago, WGN-TV, 2024
  • Guest Speaker, Cook County Jail’s Christmas Day Celebration in conjunction with Rainbow PUSH Coalition, 2023
  • Lecturer, titled “A Dad’s Right to be a Dad Severed by Systems”, at the International Conference on Men and Abuse in Toronto, Ontario, 2023
  • Commentator, WCBU-FM, 2023
  • Interview guest, Kenneth Braswell’s I Am Dad Podcast, 2023
  • Commentator, WLS-AM Radio, 2023
  • Commentator, WMEU/WCIU-TV, 2023
  • Interview guest, Daytime Chicago, WGN-TV, 2023
  • Panelist, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2023
  • Interview guest, Saluki Stories: Oral Histories from SIU, 2023
  • Interview guest, Taped With Rabbi Doug, CAN-TV, 2023
  • Commentator, Q101-FM, 2023
  • Commentator WGN-720 AM Radio, 2022
  • Interview guest, Daytime Chicago, WGN-TV, 2022
  • Interview guest, NBC-5, 2022
  • Commentator, WMEU-TV, 2022
  • Commentator, WGRB-AM, 2022
  • Commentator, WLS-AM Radio, 2022
  • Interview guest, Nathan M. Ciulla’s Bridging Chicago Podcast, 2022
  • Co-host, Lawyers for Social Justice, 2022
  • Interview guest, The Frankie Boyer Show, Biz Talk Radio Boston, 2022
  • Interview guest, WGCI-FM, 2022
  • Commentator, WCIU-TV, 2022
  • Interview guest, WVON 1690-AM, 2022
  • Commentator, WCPT 820-AM, 2022
  • Interview guest, WGN-TV, 2022
  • Panelist/presenter, Horasis Global Think Tank, 2022
  • Speaker, Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood’s Annual Symposium, 2022 and 2023
  • Interview guest, WGN-TV’s Toy Drive for needy children, 2021-present
  • Interview guest, Daytime Chicago, WGN-TV, 2021
  • Commentator, WMEU-TV, 2021
  • Commentator, WMAQ-TV, 2021
  • Interview guest, This Week, WQAD-TV/WQPT-TV, 2021
  • Interview guest, WSIU-FM Radio, 2021
  • Interview guest, KMOX-AM Radio, 2021
  • Lecturer, Families and Fathers National Conference, 2021
  • Interview guest, Newsmakers on Comcast, 2021
  • Analyst for preview of the Wynham Lathem murder trial, Court TV, 2021
  • Interview guest, WGN-TV, 2021
  • Interview guest, WLS-AM Radio, 2020
  • Regular commentator on the Jam, WCIU-TV, 2017-2020
  • Legal analyst, Mancow Muller show, WLS-AM Radio, 2019-2020
  • Speaker, Illinois House of Representatives press conference promoting the census, 2020
  • Guest, Rollye James Show, WGN Radio, 2020
  • Guest, Santita Jackson Show, WCPT Radio, 2020
  • Guest with Maze Jackson and former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, WVON-AM Radio, 2020
  • Commentator regarding the murder trial Michigan vs. Washington, Court TV, 2019
  • Lecturer, Fathers & Families Symposium, 2019
  • Guest, Taped with Rabbi Doug TV show, 2019
  • Speaker with State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford at press conference supporting fathers and children, 2019
  • Guest, You & Me, WCIU-TV, 2019
  • Interview guest, Taped With Rabbi Doug, CAN-TV, 2019
  • Expert Witness, Illinois General Assembly, in favor of H.B. 0236, to suspend child support for incarcerated parents, 2019
  • Expert Witness, Illinois General Assembly, in favor of H.B. 4113, to provide equal parenting time, 2018
  • Interview guest on a foster care death in which Mr. Leving represented the child’s bereaved father, WMAQ-TV, 2018
  • Interview guest, NBC-5, 2018
  • Commentator, Inspiration1390 / WGCI107.5 / V103, 2017
  • Interview guest, KBOQ Radio, Monterrey, California, 2016
  • Interview guest, WBEL Radio, Beloit, Wisconsin, 2016
  • Interview guest, 91.1 ZHT Radio, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2016
  • Guest, Nancy Grace Show, HLN, 2015
  • Moderator, Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education Seminars, 2014-present
  • Interview guest with Art Norman, WMAQ-TV, 2013
  • Interview guest, The Talk with Marion Brooks, WMAQ-TV, 2012
  • Panelist, President Obama’s Re-Election, JENNIE Talk Show, 2011
  • Legal Expert, The Abrams Report, MSNBC, 2005
  • Guest Expert, Scarborough Country, MSNBC, 2005
  • Guest Expert, The Dolans Unscripted, CNN, 2004
  • Guest Expert, Fox News Live with Alan Colmes – Debated Against Attorney Gloria Allred, 2004
  • Guest Legal Expert, discussed the Florida Safe Haven Adoption Law, CNN, 2004
  • Guest Expert, National Public Radio with Tavis Smiley, 2004
  • Guest Legal Expert, Hardball with Chris Matthews, MSNBC – Debated Against Wendy Murphy, Esq., 2003
  • Guest Legal Expert, The Abrams Report, MSNBC – Debated Against Attorney Gloria Allred, 2003
  • Guest Expert, CNN Tonight with Dr. Joyce Brothers, 2001
  • Guest, Hannity & Colmes, Fox News, 2001
  • Guest, Fox News In The Morning, 2001
  • Guest, CNN, 2001
  • Lecturer, National Fatherhood Initiative’s Third National Summit on Fatherhood with Vice President Al Gore, 2000
  • Guest Expert, Larry King Live, CNN – Regarding the custody of Elián González 2000
  • Guest Expert, Equal Time, MSNBC – Regarding the Elián González case, 2000
  • Guest, Pros & Cons, Court TV, 2000
  • Guest, The Geraldo Rivera Show, CNBC – Regarding the Elián González case, 2000
  • Presenter – Illinois Fatherhood Summit, chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Gov. George H. Ryan and U.S. Sen. Peter G. Fitzgerald, 1999
  • Guest, Judge and Jury, MSNBC, 1999
  • Guest, Equal Time, CNBC – Debated Against Attorney Gloria Allred, 1998
  • Guest, advocating for President Clinton against one of Paula Jones’ attorneys, MSNBC, 1998
  • Lecturer, Gov. Roy Romer’s 1998 Colorado Summit on Fatherhood, 1998
  • Guest, Morning Line, MSNBC, 1998
  • Guest commentator on paternity, Court TV Legal Café, 1997
  • Guest concerning G.E. executive’s divorce case, Newsfront, MSNBC, 1997
  • Guest, Newschat with John Gibson, 1997
  • Guest lecturer, fall lecture series, IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, 1997
  • Guest, Leeza Gibbons Show, 1997
  • Guest, debated against Gloria Allred, Equal Time, CNBC, 1997
  • Expert Witness, divorce law and procedure, Illinois Senate, 1996
  • Guest, Nightline with Ted Koppel, 1995
  • Expert Witness, United States Commission on Child and Family Welfare, Cleveland, Ohio, 1995
  • Lecturer, Divorce Rights Program, Phoenix Group, St. Fabian Church, 1995
  • Guest, America’s Talking, CNBC, 1995
  • Guest, Talk Back Live, CNN, 1995
  • Guest, Chicago Tonight, WTTW-TV, 1995
  • Guest, 20/20, ABC, 1995
  • Lecturer, The Father’s Custody Case, annual convention, American Association for Justice, New York, 1995
  • Guest, A.M. Philadelphia, ABC affiliate, 1995
  • Guest, Deadbeat Dads, The Montel Williams Show, 1994
  • Speaker, Men’s Divorce Rights, Woodson Regional Library, Chicago, 1994
  • Guest, Oprah Winfrey Show, 1994
  • Guest, Senator Berman’s Forum (TV), 1994
  • Speaker, Parents Without Partners, Discovery Zone, 1994
  • Guest, roundtable discussion, National Organization for Women, 1994
  • Guest, Talking with Aaron Freeman, child support television special, Ch. 50, 1993
  • Guest, Fatherhood in the 90s, special segment on 32 This Week, WFLD-TV Fox 32, 1993
  • Keynote speaker, Divorce Rights, St. Fabian Church, Phoenix Group, 1993
  • Lecturer, Legal Rights and Emotional Needs, Forest Hospital, 1992
  • Guest, Who Gets the Kids?, The Jenny Jones Show, 1991
  • Lecturer, Children’s Rights in Divorce, Thorek Hospital, Chicago, 1991
  • Speaker, Don’t Forget the Rights of Fathers, 13th annual Phoenix Conference, Archdiocese of Chicago, 1991

Fraternities

  • Delta Theta Phi