Jay Dahlin
Senior Partner
Meet Jay
- Bio
- Honors & Awards
- Admissions
- Memberships
- Articles & Publications
- Videos
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, J.D. (2001) (Rickert Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy; CALI Award for Outstanding Performance in Estates and Trusts) (2001)
University of Illinois, B.A. magna cum laude (1998) (Lincoln Scholar; James Scholar)
Jay Dahlin is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully handled numerous financial and custodial cases throughout northern Illinois’ domestic relations courts. On several occasions, Jay has received trial verdicts in favor of business owners and executives, as well as successfully securing custody for both fathers and mothers.
Some of Jay's notable verdicts include:
- IRMO D.H. vs. V.V. Secured trial verdict for book valuation of eCigarette start-up company.
- IRMO M.C. vs. J.C. Won sole custody for full time working father over stay-at-home mother.
- IRMO R.S. vs. B.S. Secured trial verdict for book valuation of casino technology firm.
- IRMO M.A. vs. Y.C. Won 100% of marital estate and long term family support for stay-at-home mother from intentionally underemployed father.
- IRMO C.W. vs. S.M. Successfully protected multimillion dollar lawsuit proceeds from former spouse’s post-decree support claims.
Jay also specializes in international family law litigation. He has successfully litigated cases involving multi-jurisdictional and international support and custody disputes, property division, business valuations, child recovery and removal, and enforcement issues. He has litigated and consulted on matters involving parties’ interests throughout the world. He is a member of the American Society of International Law and is a speaker and author on issues relating to the application of international treaties to domestic relations cases.
The legal community has recognized Jay as an effective advocate for his clients. In 2008, the Law Bulletin Publishing Company named him one of Illinois’ “40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch.” Since 2009, Super Lawyers has named him an Illinois Rising Star. Since 2012, Jay has been recognized as a “Leading Lawyer.”
Jay earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois. He is also a graduate of the American Bar Association Trial Advocacy Institute. Jay joined Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP in 2003 after clerking for the United States Attorney and the Illinois Attorney General and working for a large international litigation firm. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the DePaul University College of Law. An avid philanthropist, Jay has served on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. Jay is on Cook County's approved list of attorneys who may represent minor children as a Guardian Ad Litem/Attorney for Minor Child/Child Representative in the Domestic Relations Division.
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025)
- Best Lawyers in America (2014-2025)
- Illinois Super Lawyer (2015-2023)
- Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” (2008)
- Illinois Super Lawyers - Rising Star (2009-2014)
- Leading Lawyer in Family Law (2012-2020)
- Illinois (2001)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (2001)
- American Bar Association
- Illinois Bar Association
- American Society of International Law
Press
- "Judge Denies Teen's Request for Access to Funds for Bali Appeal," Interview on NBC 5 Chicago, May 6, 2015.
- "Tips for Dads Who Are Spending Father's Day Alone," Interview on Fox 32, June 2014.
Articles and Publications
- Jay Dahlin Featured in Sheridan Road Magazine, June 2022
- Executive Divorce: Dissolution in Times of Uncertainty
- Unwed fathers should be wary of custody rights, take necessary steps
- Latest child support guidelines will play bigger role in child visitation
- Confidentiality and a therapist's role in custody litigation
- On Property Rights for Same Sex Spouses
- On Father’s Day and Divorced Dads
- What's the proper use of custody evaluators?
- Citizenship Registration for Foreign Born Children
- Practical Tips for Divorced Parents: Set and Remember Goals
- Shared Parenting Time In Dual Income Families
- Protect Your Child’s College Savings
- Practical Tips For Divorced Parents: Traveling With Children