team-member

Karen Conti

Chicago, IL

Licensed for 35 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Criminal Defense

Language

English

About

“Having practiced law for 30 years, I pride myself on being aggressive, skilled, and prepared. My goal Is to resolve your problem with the least amount of time and expense.”       Karen has been a lawyer for 30 years, concentrating in all types of litigation—criminal, civil, and appellate. Karen has excellent and diverse trial experience and has litigated cases across the country in a wide variety of matters including: commercial business real estate litigation, insurance coverage disputes, physician disputes, contracts, probate, defamation, domestic relations, white collar criminal defense, environmental matters, employment discrimination, injunctions, business torts, trade secrets, professional negligence, and civil rights.  At the same time, Karen has exceptional negotiation skills which allow her to quickly and creatively settle matters for clients with the least possible expenditure of time and money. She is formally trained as a mediator and in collaborative law.      A member of the Illinois, California, and U.S., Supreme Court bars, Karen has handled numerous significant cases, including a successful United States Supreme Court appeal on behalf of the Cook County Democratic Party, the death row appeals of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a reversal in the Illinois Supreme Court in an employment discrimination matter, and a wrongful arrest and injury action against the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers arising from the infamous May 2000 brawl in the Wrigley Field stands.  In December 2008, Karen tried a six week jury trial and obtained a $1.2 million fraud verdict against a nationally known home builder, represented by the world’s largest law firm.      Karen’s valued clients include, among others, physicians, medical clinics, internet entrepreneurs, authors, retail establishments, small business owners,  construction companies, and a non-profit animal shelter.      For over 20 years, Karen has been an adjunct professor at University of Illinois College of Law and DePaul University College of Law.  She has guest lectured at Stanford University and American University and single-handedly teaches civil procedure to recent law graduates taking the bar.       Karen has extensive experience in domestic relations.  In 2008, she was appointed by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to assist in redrafting the divorce laws in Illinois.  She was solely responsible for redrafting the statute concerning grounds for divorce, when, if passed, should modernize and streamline the process of dissolving a marriage.  In 2007, she was a headline speaker at the Family Rights Rally at the Lincoln Monument in Washington, D.C. on the issue of child custody and parental alienation.      For over 20 years, Karen has been a part of the local and national media.  She has been the designated local Chicago Fox affiliate legal expert giving weekly commentary on diverse issues such as family law, business matters, criminal cases, and appellate decisions.  She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Nancy Grace, Court TV and other media venues.  For over 20 years, Karen hosted and produced radio talk shows including “Legally Speaking” on WGN Radio in Chicago for which she has won numerous awards, among others, Achievement in Radio for Best Public Affairs and the Kogan Award.  She currently has a weekly segment on WGN where she discusses current legal events and answers listeners’ questions.      Karen also writes and lectures. Her articles are published in the Chicago Sun-Times, local magazines, and online. She has spoken at many seminars and events on issues of family law, media law, women in business and current legal news stories.      Karen was voted one of 40 under 40 Illinois Attorneys to Watch by Chicago Lawyer Magazine, One of the 100 Women Making a Difference in Chicago by Today’s Chicago Woman, Outstanding Alumni of the Year at University of Illinois College of Law, and the Distinguished Graduate Award. She was voted a Leading Lawyer, part of a network of elite lawyers in the state and received the Impresa Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. 

Practices Areas

Employment and labor

Family

Language

English

Contact

Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP161 N. Clark StreetSuite 2600Chicago, IL, 60601

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

Lisa Spring
September 30, 2015

Karen really cares!!! She became my right hand when my world was turned upside down. She is truly a beautiful soul and was there with me through this traumatic time every step of the way. She would go out of her way throughout this whole process just to check on how I was doing. She would always put me first, I know her work load is over the top but never made me feel rushed or like I was taking up her time. She is a true savior and fights for what is right. She helped me as well as my son, so much words just can not describe it. This is her true calling and she excelled at it with my case like I never would have anticipated. Her staff is top notch as well, you feel like you have an army behind you with the confidence you will cross the finish line miles before the opposing counsel realizes what happened. They are of the utmost professional in their strong and honest work ethics and they know their stuff. As far as I am concerned you would be silly not to have Karen by your side. From the bottom of my heart I will always be forever thankful to her and her staff. She is utterly THE BEST at what she does!!!!

Joe
September 15, 2015

My divorce was finalized on July 17, 2012. Karen Conti was hired and jumped right into the process picking up the various pieces to my puzzle and moved very quickly through what is a rather slow legal process. She is an extremely exceptional professional Family Law Attorney. And, on top of that she is a very good person with compassion but also aggressive when required. Karen knows how to handle herself professionally and has a war chest filled with knowledge and resources from her many years of experience of addressing numerous types of Family Law issues. I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing, and ultimately hiring Karen to represent my case as my legal advisor and to guide me through some of the overwhelming, emotional and frustrating divorce legal processes. Karen’s services where matched with her value and I highly recommend hiring her. Personally speaking, Karen, you are just as important as my Oncologist who saved my life. You have improved the quality of my life by assisting me with closing many old chapters, allowing me to open new ones. Simply put “what a life saver”. Hopefully our paths will cross again under different circumstances. But, if not you should know you will always be tops in my book. Karen Conti, Thank you for doing a great job for me. Client and perhaps a new friends JWS

Meredith
September 15, 2015

My colleague and I had the pleasure of collaborating with Karen for a feature on her radio show and it was a truly wonderful experience. Karen's insight was spot on and her attention to detail offered us the necessary platform to educate the community about programs that we offer and services that we provide. Karen is a consummate professional and it was an honor to work with her.

Edward
September 14, 2015

Karen handled my affairs expertly and with aplomb. Her ability to graps the facts, understand the emotional issues and craft, write and argue motions to achieve results is noteworthy.

anonymous
September 11, 2015

I called several attorneys regarding a pressing legal matter. Karen was the first attorney to return my call. I emailed the information to her for her review. She was helpful and very reassuring. My legal matter was resolved with a very favorable result. I subsequently retained Karen to represent me in another matter. I highly recommend Karen and would not hesitate to retain her again or refer others needing legal representation.

anonymous
September 9, 2015

Karen is a seasoned veteran dealing in difficult situations and finding favorable outcomes where the parties refuse to cooperate. She is pleasant and refreshing to work with and is credit to her profession.

anonymous
September 8, 2015

I hired Karen recently after a bad experience with another “premier” lawyer. Karen exceeded my expectations. She was responsive to all my communications. She explained everything to me every step of the way and she had a plan. Karen and her compassionate team got the job done less expensively and more successfully than I thought was possible. I have nothing but the highest marks for Karen Conti.

anonymous
September 8, 2015

I spoke with Karen on a few different occasions for legal advice, and she was always honest and professional and friendly. Great to work with!

Tom
September 8, 2015

Karen is a perfect example of an attorney who thrives when she's busy. I have asked Karen for help with numerous questions over the years, and she has always managed to assist me despite her obviously packed schedule. I would recommend Karen to anyone looking for relentless energy in their legal representation.

Eric
September 8, 2015

I know Karen both personally and professionally, and she personifies the legal profession in a most exemplary manner. As an aspiring law student (and a stranger no less) she was gracious enough to introduce me to the daily workings of her busy Chicago practice. She has a love for the law, and works diligently to assist people (client or not) in a myriad of entanglements and predicaments. She makes a point of answering questions capably and with empathy. Quite simply, she personifies the term "Officer of the Court" with the highest adherence to ethical standards and competence. She is reliable and prompt with return e-mails and phone calls, and with her trial and litigation experience, one would be hard-pressed to find another attorney in her league. In fact, I am quite certain that her esteemed opponents shudder in fear and are reminded of their shortcomings when battling Ms. Conti in court. She is determined to fight, fight, and fight for her clients until she breathes her last breath, when it is in the name of obtaining justice and preserving rights guaranteed to John Q. Public. She is also very astute with regard to legal concepts that require lesser attorneys to proverbially scratch their head in bewilderment. On a personal note, she is friendly, outgoing, and down to earth with everyone. I look forward to listening to her weekly Chicago radio show where she fields questions from distraught people in need of appropriate legal advice. She speaks to philanthropic organizations on relevant subject matter, and her presentations are captivating and thought provoking. She is polite, mannerly, and understands that people from all walks of life may be intimidated by the law, and she erases the fear many people have in dealing with a lawyer. In short, if one needs an attorney, Ms.Conti is one's best choice. If she feels another type of attorney would better suit a person's needs, she will say so- and make a referral in the name of what's best for the client- and not her billing statement. In all, the great Perry Mason himself would be honored to step foot in her office.

Lisa Spring
September 30, 2015

Karen really cares!!! She became my right hand when my world was turned upside down. She is truly a beautiful soul and was there with me through this traumatic time every step of the way. She would go out of her way throughout this whole process just to check on how I was doing. She would always put me first, I know her work load is over the top but never made me feel rushed or like I was taking up her time. She is a true savior and fights for what is right. She helped me as well as my son, so much words just can not describe it. This is her true calling and she excelled at it with my case like I never would have anticipated. Her staff is top notch as well, you feel like you have an army behind you with the confidence you will cross the finish line miles before the opposing counsel realizes what happened. They are of the utmost professional in their strong and honest work ethics and they know their stuff. As far as I am concerned you would be silly not to have Karen by your side. From the bottom of my heart I will always be forever thankful to her and her staff. She is utterly THE BEST at what she does!!!!

Joe
September 15, 2015

My divorce was finalized on July 17, 2012. Karen Conti was hired and jumped right into the process picking up the various pieces to my puzzle and moved very quickly through what is a rather slow legal process. She is an extremely exceptional professional Family Law Attorney. And, on top of that she is a very good person with compassion but also aggressive when required. Karen knows how to handle herself professionally and has a war chest filled with knowledge and resources from her many years of experience of addressing numerous types of Family Law issues. I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing, and ultimately hiring Karen to represent my case as my legal advisor and to guide me through some of the overwhelming, emotional and frustrating divorce legal processes. Karen’s services where matched with her value and I highly recommend hiring her. Personally speaking, Karen, you are just as important as my Oncologist who saved my life. You have improved the quality of my life by assisting me with closing many old chapters, allowing me to open new ones. Simply put “what a life saver”. Hopefully our paths will cross again under different circumstances. But, if not you should know you will always be tops in my book. Karen Conti, Thank you for doing a great job for me. Client and perhaps a new friends JWS

Meredith
September 15, 2015

My colleague and I had the pleasure of collaborating with Karen for a feature on her radio show and it was a truly wonderful experience. Karen's insight was spot on and her attention to detail offered us the necessary platform to educate the community about programs that we offer and services that we provide. Karen is a consummate professional and it was an honor to work with her.

Edward
September 14, 2015

Karen handled my affairs expertly and with aplomb. Her ability to graps the facts, understand the emotional issues and craft, write and argue motions to achieve results is noteworthy.

anonymous
September 11, 2015

I called several attorneys regarding a pressing legal matter. Karen was the first attorney to return my call. I emailed the information to her for her review. She was helpful and very reassuring. My legal matter was resolved with a very favorable result. I subsequently retained Karen to represent me in another matter. I highly recommend Karen and would not hesitate to retain her again or refer others needing legal representation.

anonymous
September 9, 2015

Karen is a seasoned veteran dealing in difficult situations and finding favorable outcomes where the parties refuse to cooperate. She is pleasant and refreshing to work with and is credit to her profession.

anonymous
September 8, 2015

I hired Karen recently after a bad experience with another “premier” lawyer. Karen exceeded my expectations. She was responsive to all my communications. She explained everything to me every step of the way and she had a plan. Karen and her compassionate team got the job done less expensively and more successfully than I thought was possible. I have nothing but the highest marks for Karen Conti.

anonymous
September 8, 2015

I spoke with Karen on a few different occasions for legal advice, and she was always honest and professional and friendly. Great to work with!

Tom
September 8, 2015

Karen is a perfect example of an attorney who thrives when she's busy. I have asked Karen for help with numerous questions over the years, and she has always managed to assist me despite her obviously packed schedule. I would recommend Karen to anyone looking for relentless energy in their legal representation.

Eric
September 8, 2015

I know Karen both personally and professionally, and she personifies the legal profession in a most exemplary manner. As an aspiring law student (and a stranger no less) she was gracious enough to introduce me to the daily workings of her busy Chicago practice. She has a love for the law, and works diligently to assist people (client or not) in a myriad of entanglements and predicaments. She makes a point of answering questions capably and with empathy. Quite simply, she personifies the term "Officer of the Court" with the highest adherence to ethical standards and competence. She is reliable and prompt with return e-mails and phone calls, and with her trial and litigation experience, one would be hard-pressed to find another attorney in her league. In fact, I am quite certain that her esteemed opponents shudder in fear and are reminded of their shortcomings when battling Ms. Conti in court. She is determined to fight, fight, and fight for her clients until she breathes her last breath, when it is in the name of obtaining justice and preserving rights guaranteed to John Q. Public. She is also very astute with regard to legal concepts that require lesser attorneys to proverbially scratch their head in bewilderment. On a personal note, she is friendly, outgoing, and down to earth with everyone. I look forward to listening to her weekly Chicago radio show where she fields questions from distraught people in need of appropriate legal advice. She speaks to philanthropic organizations on relevant subject matter, and her presentations are captivating and thought provoking. She is polite, mannerly, and understands that people from all walks of life may be intimidated by the law, and she erases the fear many people have in dealing with a lawyer. In short, if one needs an attorney, Ms.Conti is one's best choice. If she feels another type of attorney would better suit a person's needs, she will say so- and make a referral in the name of what's best for the client- and not her billing statement. In all, the great Perry Mason himself would be honored to step foot in her office.