Claire McKenzie CPA
Senior Partner
Meet Claire
- Bio
- Honors & Awards
- Admissions
- Memberships
- Articles & Publications
- Videos
Education
Loyola University of Chicago, J.D. cum laude (1991)
Northern Illinois University, B.S. cum laude, university honors (1982)
Claire McKenzie is a highly qualified family law attorney, with a truly unique background that sets her apart. Few attorneys have her credentials as a Certified Public Accountant, a former tax manager for one of the largest international accounting firms, and a former senior trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Treasury representing the Internal Revenue Service.
This broad knowledge base is invaluable. For example, cases involving large assets and complex businesses often require multiple financial experts. With Claire, however, expertise in valuation, unreported and underreported income and forensic accounting is built-in, reducing the cost and time needed with outside experts. She has a reputation for seeing things where others don't, understanding the best cause of action and achieving favorable outcomes for clients.
As a senior partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, Claire handles complex family law litigation, asset identification and valuation, pre and post-marital agreements, child custody and visitation, property division, and spousal and child support. She is often asked for financial and tax advice and to co-counsel on cases, as she thinks differently and excels at deciphering financial statements and fine print. Details do not escape her, and she will identify key issues early and then formulate the best course of action for her clients. At the same time, she is known for being compassionate, approachable and warm, with a special ability to connect with clients at a difficult time in their lives. Claire is a former Chairman of the Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants, Chicago Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Claire was also serves as a Maine Township Trustee.
- Illinois Top Leading Lawyers (2022)
- 10 Best Female Attorneys - Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2016)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, by Neifeh and Smith (2011-2024)
- Leading Lawyers Network (2010-2021)
- Listed as a Top 100 Women Consumer Lawyer in Leading Lawyers Magazine (2016)
- Illinois Super Lawyers (2012-2023)
- Illinois (1991)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1992)
- U.S. Tax Court
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Chicago Bar Association (Past Chair of Tax Committee)
- Illinois Bar Association
- Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants
- American Bar Association
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Articles and Publications
- Spring Newsletter 2019
- Reaching the Family Law Field by Bucking Conventional Wisdom
- Get divorced before the new year or lose alimony tax deduction for as long as you both shall live, Chicago Tribune, December, 2018
- Family Law: What Divorcing Couples Should Know About Tax Law Changes
- Spring Newsletter 2018
- Newsletter Vol. 7, No. 2 – Spring
Lectures
- Tax Tips & Tricks; Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants and Chicago Bar Association, 1998
- How to Keep Your Clients Out of the Line of Fire, National Association of Enrolled Agents, 1997
- Tax Law Changes & Updates, Chicago Bar Association, 1994 and 1996
- Drafting Marital Settlement Agreement
- Tax Issues in Divorce