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 unique background that distinguishes her from her peers. Few attorneys possess her credentials, including being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a former tax manager for one of the largest international accounting firms, and a former senior trial attorney for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where she represented the Internal Revenue Service.
This extensive knowledge base is invaluable in cases involving significant assets and complex business structures, which often require the expertise of multiple financial professionals. With Claire's expertise in valuation, unreported and underreported income, and forensic accounting, clients can reduce the time and costs of hiring outside experts. She has a reputation for noticing details others may overlook, understanding the best course of action, and achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.
As a senior partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, Claire handles complex family law litigation, including asset identification and valuation, pre-and post-marital agreements, child custody and visitation, property division, and spousal and child support. She is frequently sought after for her financial and tax advice and often co-counsels on cases due to her ability to thoroughly analyze financial statements and their associated details. Claire is recognized for her meticulous attention to detail, identifying key issues early on, and formulating effective strategies for her clients. Despite her extensive qualifications, she remains compassionate, approachable, and warm, creating a special connection with clients during difficult times.
Claire has served as the former Chairman of the Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Chicago Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She also serves as a Trustee for Maine Township.
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025)
- 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 (2011-2025)
- Leading Lawyers Network (2010-2021)
- Listed as a Top 100 Women Consumer Lawyer in Leading Lawyers Magazine (2016)
- Illinois Super Lawyers (2012-2025)
- 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