The effective practice of family law demands zealous advocacy while always keeping the best interests of the family at the forefront. It requires the right mix of skilled litigation, empathy, and reasonableness. It is my goal to knowledgeably and compassionately guide clients through a time of transition to the other side, with the best possible result for the client and the family.
Education
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law
- B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Human Development and Family Studies, with Honors
Certifications and Accreditations
- Parent Coordination Training from the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Mediation Skills Training Certificate from Northwestern University
- Family Law Certificate from DePaul University College of Law
- Colleen is on the Cook County approved Child Representative/Guardian ad Litem appointment list and accepts judicial appointments to represent minor children in domestic relations matters.
Bar Certifications
- Admitted to the Bar of the Illinois Supreme Court
- Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Bar Association Memberships
- Chicago Bar Association, serving as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section Family Law Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Women’s Illinois Bar Association
Awards and Recognition
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Illinois Rising Star for 2021, 2022, 2023
- Best Lawyers One to Watch in America for 2023
- Lavelle Law, Ltd. Associate Award – Most Pro Bono Work for 2019, 2020, 2022
- Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyer for 2021, 2022
- Chicago Bar Association David C. Hilliard Award for Outstanding Committee Service, 2022
- Kane County Bar Association/Kane County Women’s Bar Association Scholarship
- Phi Alpha Delta, Chicago Alumni Chapter Daniel P. Ward Scholarship
- Phi Alpha Delta, West Suburban Alumni Chapter Anthony A. DiGrazia Scholarship
- DePaul University College of Law President’s Award
- DePaul University College of Law Benjamin Hooks Distinguished Public Service Award
- Phi Alpha Delta, International Outstanding Community Service Award
Media
- Quimbee: Networking for Lawyers: Building your Book of Business Ethically, January 16, 2023
- Quimbee: Child-Related Considerations in Family Law, October 3, 2022
- Union League Club of Chicago Women’s Group: Before “I Do,” May 12, 2022
- Lexvid: Law Practice Management and Growing your Book of Business, January 11, 2021
- Lexvid: How to Establish a Parentage Case, January 11, 2021
- DePaul University College of Law, Guest Lecturer on 2015 Illinois Parentage Act, October 21, 2020
- DePaul University College of Law, Law Practice Management: Guest Lecturer, September 15, 2020
- Be that Lawyer with Steve Fretzin podcast: Working with a Synergistic Coach to Grow Your Book, May 25, 2020
- SIL Networking group: Orders of Protection, May 7, 2020
- DePaul University Family Law Center Lunch and Learn: The 2015 Parentage Act: Guest Lecturer, September 27, 2019
- DePaul University College of Law, Law Practice Management: Guest Lecturer, September 17, 2019
- Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Estate Planning Committee: CLE Guest Lecturer, April 2, 2019
- DePaul University College of Law, Law Practice Management: Guest Lecturer, February 28, 2019
- Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Family Law Committee: CLE Guest Lecturer, February 6, 2019
- DePaul University Family Law Center Lunch and Learn: The 2015 Parentage Act: Guest Lecturer, September, 2018
- DePaul University Family Law Center Lunch and Learn: The 2015 Parentage Act: Guest Lecturer, September 20, 2016
Ms. Breems is a regular contributor to our podcast series “Chicago’s Legal Latte” which can be found on BlogTalk Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lavellelaw
Community Involvement
Ms. Breems currently serves (pro bono) as a Child Representative and Guardian ad Litem for minor children through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. She is the Vice President of the Advocacy Council for the Junior League of Chicago and is Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Family Law Section. Ms. Breems is a former Board Member for Empowering Women, a domestic violence shelter located in Chicago, as well as the DePaul University Family Law Center. Colleen is a member of the Young Catholic Professionals of Chicago.
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