Claire R. McKenzie CPA

When navigating the intricate and often emotionally charged landscape of family law, especially when significant assets or complex financial structures are involved, having legal counsel with a deep understanding of both law and finance is invaluable. For residents across Illinois, Claire R. McKenzie stands as a highly qualified family law attorney with a truly unique background that distinguishes her from her peers. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a former tax manager for a large international accounting firm, as well as a former senior trial attorney for the U.S. Department of the Treasury (representing the IRS), Claire McKenzie brings an unparalleled level of financial expertise to her family law practice. Located in the bustling legal and financial heart of Chicago, she is dedicated to guiding clients through complex divorce, property division, and other family law matters with meticulous attention to detail and a compassionate approach.

Claire McKenzie’s practice is built on the understanding that financial matters are often at the heart of high-asset divorce cases. Her natural way of thinking about economics proves to be a huge benefit for her clients, as she can expertly handle valuation, identify unreported and underreported income, and apply forensic accounting principles to unravel complex financial situations. This extensive knowledge base often allows clients to reduce the time and costs associated with hiring outside financial experts, providing a streamlined and efficient process. She is renowned for her ability to notice details others may overlook, understand the best course of action, and ultimately achieve favorable outcomes.

Despite her impressive credentials and extensive experience, Claire McKenzie maintains a compassionate, approachable, and warm demeanor, fostering a special connection with clients during what can be incredibly difficult times. She understands the emotional toll that family law disputes can take and strives to provide not only expert legal advice but also empathetic support. For anyone in Illinois facing a complex family law matter, particularly one with significant financial implications, Claire R. McKenzie offers a distinguished blend of legal and financial acumen, combined with a truly client-centered approach.

Claire R. McKenzie practices at an office conveniently located at 200 N LaSalle St #30, Chicago, IL 60601, USA. This address places her in the vibrant core of Chicago's Loop, a premier financial and legal district that boasts exceptional accessibility for clients throughout Illinois. For individuals within Chicago, the office is remarkably easy to reach using the city's extensive public transportation network. Numerous CTA 'L' train lines (including the Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Green lines) have stations conveniently located just a short walk from the building. Additionally, a comprehensive array of bus routes serves the immediate vicinity, providing abundant options for local commuters.

For clients traveling from the broader Illinois region, the downtown location offers excellent connectivity to major expressways and interstates, such as I-90/94 (Dan Ryan/Kennedy Expressways) and I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway). This facilitates relatively straightforward travel by car from surrounding suburbs or other parts of the state. While street parking in the busy Loop area can be limited, numerous public parking garages and lots are available nearby, offering convenient solutions for those who prefer to drive. The building itself is a well-known professional tower, ensuring easy identification for visitors. This central and highly accessible location underscores Claire R. McKenzie's commitment to being readily available to clients from all corners of Illinois, ensuring easy access to her specialized legal and financial expertise.

Claire R. McKenzie specializes in complex family law litigation, leveraging her unique background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and former tax manager to provide unparalleled financial expertise. Her services are particularly valuable in cases involving significant assets and intricate financial structures. Key services offered by Claire R. McKenzie include:

• Complex Family Law Litigation: Handling all aspects of contested divorce and family law disputes, particularly those with high stakes and intricate legal and financial challenges.
• Asset Identification and Valuation: Expertly identifying, tracing, and valuing marital and non-marital assets, including businesses, real estate, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and other complex financial holdings. Her CPA background is invaluable here, often reducing the need for external financial experts.
• Unreported and Underreported Income Analysis: Utilizing forensic accounting skills to uncover hidden or undisclosed income and assets, ensuring accurate financial disclosures in divorce proceedings.
• Property Division: Strategically guiding clients through the equitable division of marital property and debts, considering tax implications and long-term financial stability.
• Child Custody and Visitation: Assisting parents in developing parenting plans and resolving disputes related to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, always with a focus on the children's best interests.
• Spousal and Child Support: Determining appropriate spousal maintenance (alimony) and child support obligations, taking into account financial complexities and state guidelines.
• Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements: Drafting and reviewing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to protect assets and define financial arrangements before or during marriage.
• Financial and Tax Advice in Divorce: Providing comprehensive financial and tax guidance throughout the divorce process, helping clients make informed decisions about their financial future.
• Co-counseling on Cases: Often sought after to co-counsel on cases due to her exceptional ability to thoroughly analyze financial statements and their associated details, providing an invaluable resource to other legal teams.

Claire R. McKenzie possesses an exceptional array of features and highlights that distinguish her as a premier family law attorney in Illinois. These attributes underscore her unique qualifications, extensive experience, and unwavering commitment to client success:

• Unique Multidisciplinary Credentials: Claire McKenzie stands out with her rare combination of legal and financial expertise. She is not only a highly skilled attorney (J.D. cum laude from Loyola University) but also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a former tax manager for a large international accounting firm, and a former senior trial attorney for the U.S. Department of the Treasury (representing the IRS). This unique background allows her to meticulously handle complex financial aspects of family law cases that most attorneys cannot.
• Specialization in High-Asset and Complex Financial Divorce: Her financial background provides a significant advantage in cases involving substantial assets, complex business structures, valuation issues, and uncovering unreported or underreported income. She is known for "noticing details others may overlook" and reducing the need for costly outside financial experts.
• Extensive Experience and Proven Track Record: With a legal career spanning decades (admitted to bar in 1991), Claire McKenzie has a strong reputation for achieving favorable outcomes for her clients. She is a Senior Partner at a highly regarded family law firm, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP.
• Highly Recognized by Peers and Legal Publications: Claire McKenzie has consistently received numerous prestigious accolades, including:
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025)
• Illinois Top Leading Lawyers (since 2022)
• 10 Best Female Attorneys - Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2016)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (since 2011)
• Leading Lawyers Network (since 2010)
• Illinois Super Lawyers (since 2012)
• Top 100 Women Consumer Lawyer in Leading Lawyers Magazine (2016)
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: She is recognized for her "meticulous attention to detail," her ability to "identify key issues early on," and "formulating effective strategies" for her clients. This precision is vital in complex financial cases.
• Compassionate and Approachable Demeanor: Despite her extensive qualifications, Claire McKenzie is described as "compassionate, approachable, and warm," creating a "special connection with clients during difficult times." This blend of professionalism and empathy is highly valued by clients navigating stressful family law matters.
• Leadership and Professional Involvement: Claire McKenzie has served as the former Chairman of the Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and is a member of various prominent professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants. This involvement demonstrates her commitment to her profession and staying at the forefront of legal and financial developments.

Claire R. McKenzie CPA, as a highly specialized and experienced family law attorney, does not publicly advertise specific promotions or special offers in the traditional sense, such as discounted rates or package deals. Her value proposition is instead centered on her unique expertise and the long-term benefits she provides to her clients, particularly in complex financial and high-asset divorce cases. A key "special offer" for prospective clients is the efficiency and cost-savings that her dual expertise (legal and CPA) can provide. By having an attorney who is also a financial expert, clients can often reduce the time and expenses typically incurred by hiring separate financial professionals for valuation, forensic accounting, or tax analysis in divorce proceedings. This integrated approach streamlines the process and can lead to more favorable financial outcomes. Her commitment to achieving "favorable outcomes" and understanding "the best course of action" implicitly highlights the significant financial and emotional value she brings to her clients' cases. While a free initial consultation is a common practice in family law firms, it is always best to confirm directly with her office. The primary "promotion" is the assurance of receiving top-tier, efficient, and comprehensive legal and financial guidance from a single, highly qualified professional.

To connect with Claire R. McKenzie CPA and discuss your family law or divorce needs, you can reach out using the following contact information:

• Address: 200 N LaSalle St #30, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
• Phone: (312) 641-5560
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-641-5560

Her team is available to schedule a consultation, where you can discuss your specific situation and learn how her unique blend of legal and financial expertise can assist you in navigating your complex family law matters. Reaching out is the first step towards securing highly qualified and compassionate representation.

For locals throughout Illinois, Claire R. McKenzie CPA is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice, especially for those facing high-asset divorces or family law cases with complex financial components. Her central location in downtown Chicago provides convenient access for clients across the state, ensuring that expert legal and financial guidance is within reach. What truly sets her apart for Illinois residents is her rare and powerful combination of being a seasoned attorney and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with a background in tax law and forensic accounting. This allows her to meticulously handle intricate financial details, identify hidden assets, and provide comprehensive tax advice, often saving clients time and the expense of additional experts. Her consistent recognition in prestigious legal listings and her reputation for being compassionate, approachable, and warm, even amidst complex legal battles, mean that clients receive not just top-tier legal strategy but also empathetic support. For Illinois locals seeking a lawyer who can adeptly manage the financial intricacies of their family law case while providing personalized and understanding guidance, Claire R. McKenzie CPA offers an unparalleled blend of expertise and client-focused service.