Felice Richard D

For residents across Illinois, particularly those in DuPage County, understanding the legal landscape and the professionals who shape it is crucial. When it comes to family law and complex litigation, individuals often seek attorneys with deep experience and a strong reputation within the judicial system. Richard D. Felice is a name that has been a significant presence in the Illinois legal community for over four decades, particularly in Wheaton. While the nature of the provided review highlights a specific, and unfortunately negative, perspective on a judicial ruling, it's important for locals to understand the broader context of Mr. Felice's distinguished career.

Richard D. Felice has an extensive background in both private legal practice and judicial service, having recently served as a Circuit Judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County, specifically in the Domestic Relations Division. Before his judicial appointment, Mr. Felice was a highly respected attorney in private practice in Wheaton for many years, concentrating in domestic relations and litigation. His career has been marked by significant involvement in legal professional organizations, including serving as President of the Illinois State Bar Association. This overview aims to provide factual information about his professional journey, allowing Illinois residents to gain a more complete understanding of his role in the legal framework.

The office associated with Richard D. Felice's prior private practice is located at 511 W Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA. This address in Wheaton, the county seat of DuPage County, places it in a central and accessible location for residents across the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wheaton is well-connected by major roadways, facilitating convenient travel by car from various parts of DuPage County and neighboring areas. The downtown Wheaton area typically offers available parking, making visits to the office practical. For those relying on public transportation, the Wheaton Metra station (Union Pacific West Line) is within reasonable proximity, providing commuter rail access to downtown Chicago and other suburban communities. Local bus services also connect various parts of Wheaton, further enhancing accessibility. It's important to note that while this address is associated with his former private practice, Mr. Felice has since been appointed as a Circuit Judge, and his judicial duties are now conducted within the DuPage County Courthouse.

Based on public information and his extensive career, particularly before his judicial appointment, Richard D. Felice’s legal practice primarily concentrated on:

• Domestic Relations (Family Law): This was a significant area of his practice, encompassing a wide range of family-related legal issues. This typically includes matters such as:
  • Divorce and Legal Separation
  • Child Custody and Visitation
  • Child Support
  • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
  • Property Division in divorce cases
  • Parental Alienation (which aligns with the nature of the provided review's concern)
  • Guardianship Ad Litem in family law cases, disabled person cases, and adoption cases.
  His long experience in this field included trying hundreds of cases and numerous appellate practices related to family law.
• Litigation: His practice involved extensive litigation, which refers to the process of taking legal action. This broad area indicates his experience in presenting cases in court and navigating various legal disputes. He has tried hundreds of civil and criminal cases, including jury trials.
• Conflict Attorney in Juvenile Cases: He acted as a conflict attorney in juvenile cases in DuPage County, demonstrating his involvement with legal issues affecting minors.
• General Legal Practice: Before focusing his practice, his career began with a firm where he concentrated in domestic relations and various aspects of litigation, suggesting a foundational breadth of legal knowledge.

It is crucial to understand that since his appointment as a Circuit Judge, his role is now to preside over court cases and make impartial judicial decisions, not to offer legal representation or advice as a private attorney.

Richard D. Felice’s career is marked by numerous distinguished features and highlights within the Illinois legal community, particularly prior to and including his judicial service:

• Extensive Legal Experience: With over 40 years in legal practice, including decades as a private attorney concentrating in domestic relations and litigation, Mr. Felice brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the legal field. He was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 1979 and admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984.
• Judicial Appointment: He was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County, presiding over cases primarily in the Domestic Relations Division. This appointment reflects a recognition of his legal acumen and standing.
• Leadership in State Bar Association: A significant highlight is his service as the 138th President of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) from 2014-2015, the largest bar organization in Illinois. He also served multiple terms on the ISBA Board of Governors and various committees. This leadership role underscores his dedication to the legal profession as a whole.
• Leadership in Local Bar Associations: Mr. Felice is a past President of the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA), the DuPage County Bar Foundation, and the DuPage County Chapter of The Justinian Society of Lawyers. His active involvement and leadership in these local organizations demonstrate his commitment to the DuPage County legal community.
• Appointments by Illinois Supreme Court and Legislature: He was appointed for three terms (9 years) by the Illinois Supreme Court to its Rules Committee and by the Illinois General Assembly to the Family-Law Study Committee. These appointments highlight his recognized expertise and influence in shaping legal policy and practice in Illinois.
• Recognized Professional Excellence: Mr. Felice has received numerous accolades, including the DuPage County Bar Association Ralph Gabric Award for Professional Excellence and being named a "Top Ten" Family Law Attorney in Illinois by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. He has also been designated a "Super Lawyer" multiple times and is a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counselors (Top 1% of practicing attorneys).
• Commitment to Legal Education and the Profession: During his ISBA presidency, he emphasized initiatives like addressing law school debt, forming a Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute Series, and civics education, demonstrating his dedication to the future of the legal profession.

It's important for locals to understand that while one review expresses a negative perspective related to a judicial outcome in a family law case, Mr. Felice's extensive career and leadership roles within the state's legal organizations showcase a significant and impactful presence in Illinois law. Judicial decisions, particularly in complex family law cases, are often made under difficult circumstances and can lead to strong feelings from affected parties.

As Richard D. Felice currently serves as a Circuit Judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County, his role is to impartially preside over cases and make judicial decisions. In this capacity, judges do not offer legal services or promotions in the way a private law firm would. Therefore, there are no "promotions or special offers" available from Richard D. Felice in his current judicial role.

Before his appointment to the bench, as a private attorney, it would have been typical for a legal professional concentrating in domestic relations and litigation to offer standard practices such as initial consultations (which may have been free or paid) or discussions about fee structures (hourly, flat fee, etc.). However, these are no longer applicable in his current public service position.

As Richard D. Felice is currently serving as a Circuit Judge in DuPage County, direct contact information for him in a private legal capacity is not relevant. His official contact for judicial matters would be through the DuPage County Circuit Court.

The provided contact details for his former private practice are:

Address: 511 W Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA

Phone: (630) 682-1811

Mobile Phone: +1 630-682-1811

Please note that these contact details are associated with his prior private law office. For official court inquiries related to Judge Richard D. Felice's courtroom, individuals should refer to the DuPage County 18th Judicial Circuit Court's official directory and contact information.

For Illinois residents, particularly those in DuPage County, understanding the extensive background and public service of individuals like Richard D. Felice is valuable for comprehending the judicial system and the legal professionals who have shaped it. While the provided review reflects a personal, negative experience related to a judicial decision in a complex family law matter, it is crucial to recognize Mr. Felice's distinguished career in its entirety.

His decades of experience as a private attorney specializing in domestic relations and litigation, coupled with his significant leadership roles as President of the Illinois State Bar Association and the DuPage County Bar Association, demonstrate a profound commitment to the legal profession and the administration of justice in Illinois. His appointments by the Illinois Supreme Court and General Assembly further underscore his recognized expertise and influence in state-wide legal matters.

For locals seeking legal guidance or engaging with the judicial system, knowing that individuals with such extensive backgrounds have served (or are serving) on the bench can provide a sense of the depth of legal experience within their community. While judicial decisions can be challenging and deeply impact individuals, the broader professional contributions of figures like Richard D. Felice illustrate a dedication to upholding the legal framework that serves Illinois residents. Understanding the journey of such a prominent figure contributes to a more informed perspective on the local legal landscape.