Firm partner William S. Wigoda focuses his practice at Jakubs ∙ Wigoda, LLP in the areas of matrimonial and family law, chancery, and commercial litigation. Over the course of his 35 year plus legal career, he has earned admission to the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, United States District Courts in Illinois and Kentucky, and has represented clients pro hac vice in Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

Mr. Wigoda is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, indicating the highest level of professional skill and integrity. He has also received honors from the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Circuit Court of Cook County, among other organizations.

EDUCATION

  • John Marshall Law School, Juris Doctor, 1974
  • Roosevelt University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance

ADMISSIONS

  • United States Supreme Court
  • Illinois Supreme Court
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Western District of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court, District of Lexington, Kentucky
  • Federal Trial Bar Pro Hac Vice - Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, and Florida

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Jakubs ∙ Wigoda, LLP (formerly known as Jakubs, Kritzmire and Wigoda, LLP), 2002 - present, concentrating in matrimonial and family law, chancery, and commercial litigation
  • Law Offices of Marcus, Perres, Campanale & Wigoda, 1996 - 1999, concentrating in matrimonial and family law, chancery, and commercial litigation
  • Law Offices of William S. Wigoda, LTD, 1995 - 1996, concentrating in general business litigation, chancery litigation, and matrimonial and family law
  • Law Office of Wolin & Rosen, 1993 -1995, concentrating in general business litigation and matrimonial and chancery litigation
  • Law Office of Horvath & Wigoda, 1991 - 1993, represented insurance companies and their insureds in defense of professional liability matters, warehouse legal liability, and other specialty areas, including civil rights litigation; represented insurance companies in drafting insurance policies and auditing other counsel's services and billings
  • Conklin & Adler, LTD, 1985 - 1991, represented insurance companies and their insureds in defense of professional liability matters, warehouse legal liability, and other specialty areas, including civil rights litigation; represented insurance companies in drafting insurance policies and auditing other counsel's services and billings
  • Law Office of Wigoda & Wigoda, 1983 - 1985, general litigation practice
  • Law Office of William S. Wigoda, 1979 - 1983, general litigation practice
  • Illinois Secretary of State, 1979 - 1983, Hearing Officer
  • City of Chicago, Assistant Corporation Counsel, 1974 -1979, Torts Division - personal injury litigation (1974 - 1976); Appeals & Review Division - appellate work (1976 - 1979)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Chicago Bar Association - Matrimonial Committee (past Chairperson); former Certified Fee Dispute Arbitrator; YLS Speaker Committee (past Chairperson); YLS Judiciary/Bench Bar Relations (past Chairperson)
  • Circuit Court of Cook County - Child Representative
  • Illinois State Bar Association - Family Law Section Council (member); Case
  • Law Update Committee (Co-Chair); Rights of Unmarried Couples Sub-Committee
    (Co-Chair); liaison between Family Law Section Counsel and Military Affairs Committee; Standing Committee on Insurance (past member); former liaison between Insurance Committee and Risk Retention Committee
  • American Bar Association - former memberships to various committees
    The American Association for Justice (formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association) - former member
  • The John Howard Association - former member and volunteer attorney
  • Decalogue Society of Lawyers - member of Board of Managers
  • Illinois Fatherhood Initiative - general counsel
  • Martindale Hubbell - AV rated

MILITARY SERVICE

  • United States Marine Corps Reserve, 1969 - 1974

ARTICLES & LECTURES

Guest Lecturer: Alliance of American Insurance Companies, North Shore Real Estate Board; Authored: School Board Liability for Sports-Related Injuries, Residential Real Estate Taxation, Broker Liability for Undisclosed Defects; Faculty: Illinois Continuing Legal Education - Working with Experts; Lecturer: Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section Counsel - Jurisdictional and Standing Distinctions between the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Probate Act, the Parentage Act, and the Juvenile Court Act; Authored: Drug Testing - What You Need to Know and What You Get May Not Be What You Need, ISBA Family Law Section Counsel Journal; Lecturer: Kent Law School, Family Law Clinic - Civility and the New Rules of Professional Conduct; Lecturer: John Marshall Law School, Veterans Legal Clinic Symposium - The Effects of Divorce on Veterans and Active Duty and Reserve Personnel; Lecturer: Chicago Bar Association, Northwest Bar Association, Decalogue Society of Lawyers and Cook County Bar Association - Proposed Legislation on Civil Unions and Rights of Unmarried Couples

NON-LEGAL AFFILIATIONS

Union League Club of Chicago - Board of Directors (former member); Sub-Committee on Administration of Justice: study and implementation of death penalty reform, and working for the non-criminalization of the mentally ill; Judiciary Sub-Committee (former member); Library Committee (former Chair); Military Affairs Committee (former Chair); Race Relations Committee (former member)

  • American Legion Post #758 - past Commander
  • B'Nai Brith Public Service Lodge - past President
  • B'Nai Torah Temple - former member of Board of Directors
  • Highland Park Highwood School District 111 - legal volunteer and board liaison
  • Navy League - member and former director
  • Trout Unlimited - member
  • Ducks Unlimited - member

HONORS

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Highland Park Highwood School District 111
  • Circuit Court of Cook County - Facilitation Program
  • Union League Club of Chicago
  • Supreme Court of the State of Illinois and John Marshall Law School Veteran's Pro Bono Service Award