Emily Carrara

My name is Emily R. Carrara. I have been admitted to practice law in Illinois since 2001. Since I began practicing law in 2001, I have focused on family law. This carries a deep personal connection for me. Witnessing and being a part of my own parents’ divorce at age 16, I knew there had to be a better way for a divorce to happen. The divorce took years to complete and went through unnecessary litigation. From that point on, I knew that I was going to be a family law attorney so that I could help families like mine. I knew that there had to be a better way.

For over 20 years, I have assisted families in reaching solutions that are best for their own unique circumstances. I work with clients to find a path forward and work through whatever obstacles are in the way. I form relationships with my clients that allow me to understand their goals and to tailor my representation to what each client needs.Throughout my practice, I have found that many divorces can be resolved by utilizing pathways such as alternate dispute resolution. With my mediation and collaborative law abilities, I am able to resolve cases expeditiously and confidentially with the end goal of helping the parties maintain more of their financial resources and dignity.

I have chosen to focus my practice on division of retirement assets, collaborative divorce, uncontested divorces, and mediation.

Professionally, I am a Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and have been named a Leading Lawyer in the area of Family Law. For decades, I have taught and presented at numerous family law seminars, including seminars related to disposition of retirement assets in divorce, to guardian ad litem for children, to guardianships and adoptions. Further, I have extensive appellate experience, arguing numerous cases in the 2nd and 3rd Appellate districts and before the Illinois Supreme Court.

I am a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, the DuPage County Association of Women Lawyers and the Will County Bar Association. I am a well-respected Guardian ad Litem for the Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.  Early on in my career, I was named as one of the “8 Women to Watch” in DuPage County Most importantly, I am a wife, a mother, and a community leader.

I received my law degree from University of Illinois in Chicago with honors and my undergraduate degree from Boston University.

Dividing Retirement Plan:

I have chosen to focus a portion of my practice to helping people divide their retirement accounts during the divorce process. Retirement accounts can be one of the most important assets a family has. I provide the knowledge of each plan’s intricacies and the effect of the divorce.

Education

• J.D. - John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois (2001)

• B.A. - Boston University (1993)

Associations & Accolades

• American Bar Association

• The Illinois State Bar Association

• DuPage County Bar Association

• Kane County Bar Association

• DuPage County Association of Women Lawyers

• Will County Bar Association

• Guardian ad Litem for the Circuit Court of the
  Eighteenth Judicial Court