William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd.

For individuals in Chicago navigating the sensitive and often complex landscape of family law, William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd. presents itself as a dedicated legal resource within the "Nearby Lawyers" category. The firm is strategically located at 221 N LaSalle St STE 1600, Chicago, IL 60601, positioning it in a prominent downtown area that is easily accessible to clients. This address suggests a professional and well-established office environment, typical of a reputable law firm in a major city, designed to accommodate serious legal consultations and proceedings.

Clients can directly reach William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd. via phone at (312) 329-0830 or mobile at +1 312-329-0830. This direct line of communication is essential for clients who are often dealing with highly personal and emotionally charged legal matters.

William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd. primarily focuses on family law matters. With over 35 years of experience in the Chicagoland Area, including Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane Counties, William G. Clark, Jr. has built a practice around helping clients through challenging times. His services include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage: Guiding clients through the legal process of ending a marriage, including property division and financial arrangements.
• Child Custody and Visitation: Advocating for the best interests of children in custody disputes, and establishing parenting plans.
• Child Support and Maintenance (Alimony): Addressing financial arrangements post-divorce to ensure proper support.
• Post-Divorce Cases: Handling modifications to existing divorce decrees, such as changes in child support or custody arrangements.
• Mediation: The firm emphasizes that their attorneys are trained in mediation techniques designed to minimize acrimony and reduce fees, indicating a preference for negotiation and reasonable compromise where possible.

William G. Clark, Jr. is an attorney with significant experience, having been licensed in Illinois since 1977 and graduating from DePaul University College of Law in 1976. He has been selected to Super Lawyers for multiple years (2006-2025), an honor extended to only a small percentage of attorneys in Illinois. He is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, signifying a high level of expertise and recognition in family law. The firm's mission is to provide quality legal services akin to a large firm but with the personalized attention of a small firm, ensuring that individual needs and concerns are met.

The firm's philosophy centers on avoiding unnecessary acrimony in family law matters, believing this approach better serves their clients' ultimate objectives. While they are experienced litigators and will go to court when necessary, their experience often suggests that problems can be solved through negotiation and reasonable compromise. This approach is intended to be cost-effective and provide prompt, personal service.

Customer reviews for William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd. present a mixed, yet insightful, perspective:

• One highly positive review states: "Bill Clark is one of the good guys of family law. In a system that is supposed to put children first, it seems to have been corrupted by people who are driven by money, egos and, and power. Bill is none of that. He is smart, empathetic, and an excellent reader of people. He understands human behavior. Not always easy to find. He will fight hard for you. He actually cares about the welfare of your child. If a parent unfortunately finds him or herself caught in what can be a very difficult situation you want someone you can trust. I highly recommend this law firm. I wouldn't work with anyone else." This testimonial emphasizes Bill Clark's perceived ethical stance, intelligence, empathy, and dedication to a child's welfare, portraying him as a trustworthy and strong advocate. Other positive reviews from his firm's website corroborate this, highlighting good communication, timeliness, respect, and effective handling of difficult divorce and custody cases, with some clients stating they "cannot recommend them highly enough" and found the process "simple and help facilitate equitable settlement."

However, another review offers a sharply contrasting experience, specifically concerning billing practices and administrative efficiency:

• "I engaged this attorney to represent me in a post-divorce case. I found this attorney to be less than professional when it came to billing matters. I will give few examples here: He has another attorney - John who helps in drafting petitions. My petition moved around between these attorneys and each time I was billed twice given the agreement that I would be billed based on the “time spent”. As a result, for a simple initial petition, I ended up paying twice as much and the initial costs to file petition itself ran in to thousands. He has an assistant who prepares files for court appearances and submits petitions. She billed me for the time spent on “file preparation for the court date”. When William would write me a letter regarding the updates after court appearances, instead of emailing me, he would use his stationary - letter head. His assistant would then write her own elaborate email and forward me William's letter as a pdf attachment. For these simple administrative tasks (submitting petitions/memorandum to the court, forwarding William’s updates), she billed me at $250/Hr which is just as much as regular attorney rates in Chicago. He also drafted needless petitions without consulting me and billed me for the same. They were never used in the litigation. For the pretrial, his co-attorney wrote the memorandum and then he reviewed it, again did final review and then again spent time on it in preparation for pre-trial. The only point I am able to provide to his credit is that he filed petitions timely and was present on court dates. But I would have expected this from any professional lawyer. There are some reputable lawyers on the Clark street and in my opinion, this particular firm is not among them." This review raises serious concerns about billing transparency, potential overbilling for administrative tasks, and what the client perceives as unnecessary legal work. It suggests issues with internal workflow and communication regarding costs.

These divergent perspectives highlight the importance for potential clients to conduct thorough due diligence, including discussing fee structures and billing practices in detail upfront. While one client extols the firm's virtues, another details specific and significant grievances related to the cost of services.

Promotional information from William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd. often emphasizes their commitment to providing high-quality legal services with a focus on personalized attention. Their website highlights Mr. Clark's extensive litigation experience, including arguing cases before the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court, and the Illinois Supreme Court. This indicates a strong background in complex legal challenges. The firm also promotes its ethical approach to family law, aiming to reduce acrimony and achieve reasonable compromises. Their selection as a "Leading Lawyer" further supports their professional standing.

In conclusion, William G. Clark, Jr. & Associates, Ltd., as a "Nearby Lawyers" option in Chicago, offers experienced and highly recognized legal services primarily focused on family law. Mr. Clark's decades of practice, distinguished recognition as a Super Lawyer and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and a philosophy of empathetic, child-focused advocacy are significant strengths. However, the firm also faces critical feedback regarding its billing practices and perceived administrative inefficiencies, which potential clients should consider and discuss proactively. While some clients laud him as a trustworthy and fierce advocate who genuinely cares, others express considerable dissatisfaction with the financial aspects of their representation. This mixed feedback suggests that while the firm offers substantial legal expertise in family law, potential clients should ensure clear communication and understanding of all billing procedures before engaging their services.