Karen Pinkert-Lieb
Senior Partner
Meet Karen
- Bio
- Honors & Awards
- Admissions
- Memberships
- Articles & Publications
- Videos
Karen Pinkert-Lieb’s strong background in finance, tax law and psychology render her uniquely suited to expertly navigate complex custody and financial cases and advance her client’s interests. Her versatility as both a seasoned negotiator and a skilled litigator enable her to achieve the best possible results while always remaining dedicated to her client’s priorities. In addition to marital dissolution cases, Karen also concentrates her practice in the areas of pre/post marital agreements and complex parentage.
Karen’s results both in and out of the courtroom have earned her extensive recognition. She was named Family Law Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America, as well as the number 1 Female Divorce Attorney in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network. She is also named annually in Best Lawyers of America and Illinois Super Lawyers.
Karen is also experienced in the field of alternative dispute resolution and is committed to employing the technique best suited to meeting her client’s goals efficiently. This flexibility, coupled with her high standard of quality and discretion, enable her to craft creative solutions to the most challenging of cases.
A frequent lecturer on family law topics, Karen has also authored chapters for books such as Strategies for Family Law in Illinois and the Family Law Series for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. She previously served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association where she drafted family law legislation.
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025)
- Ranked in Band 1 by 2024 Chambers and Partners USA for Family/Matrimonial: High Net worth in Illinois
- Ranked in Band 1 by 2022 Chambers and Partners USA for Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth in Illinios
- Crain's Chicago Business Notable Gen X Leaders in Law (2021)
- #1 Female Divorce attorney in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Chicago by The Best Lawyers in America
- Top 10 Attorney by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- Top 10 Women Litigators in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 10 Women Lawyer in Illinois in All Areas of Law by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 10 Female Consumer Lawyers in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 50 Female Lawyers in Illinois in All Areas of Law by Super Lawyers
- Top 50 Women Lawyer in Illinois by Super Lawyers
- Fellow in the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society of the Litigation Counsel of America
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
- "40 Under Forty" Illinois Attorney to Watch by Law Bulletin Media
- SuperLawyers (2005-2025)
- Illinois (1993)
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law/IIT, J.D. with honors (1993)
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A. (1989)
- Chairman, Family Law Section of Illinois State Bar Association (2004)
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Articles and Publications
- Karen Pinkert-Lieb Profiled as a Legal Leader by Hinsdale Living and Sheridan Road Magazines
- Confronting Personality Disorders and Addiction in Divorce
- Mediation works in divorce — and sometimes in avoiding it
- Premarital agreements for same-sex couples
- Non-custodial parents can get child support, too
- Shifting Gender Roles and It’s Impact on Divorce
- Far Reaching Effects of New York’s Legalization of Gay Marriage
- First Divorce Filing For Same Sex Couple in Illinois
- Divorce Among Professional Women
- Breaking Law in Illinois: Social Security Income Not Exempt from Payment of College Expenses
Authorships
- Client Management and Education,Family Law Handbook, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2003, 2008)
- Appeals Court Ruling Imperils Unallocated Support Payment,Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, (December 2000)
- Ask the Experts, Divorce Magazine, (March 2001)
Speaker
- Discovery in Divorce Litigation, ISBA Annual Meeting (2000)
- Illinois Premarital Agreement Act, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, (March/May, 1999)
- Use of the New Discovery Rules in Divorce Proceedings, ISBA Minority and Women Seminar, (May 1997)
- Leveling the Playing Field, ISBA Minority and Women Seminar, (May 1998)
- Ethics in Domestic Relations Law Firms, ISBA Annual Meeting, (1996)
Coordinator and Moderator
- ISBA Family Law Updates, (2001-2002), ISBA Family Law 101, (2002)
Biography
Credentials
Admissions
Admissions- Illinois (1993)
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law/IIT, J.D. with honors (1993)
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A. (1989)
Associations
No associations information available.
Education
No education information available.
Memberships
- Chairman, Family Law Section of Illinois State Bar Association (2004)
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Experience
Professional Experience
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025)
- Ranked in Band 1 by 2024 Chambers and Partners USA for Family/Matrimonial: High Net worth in Illinois
- Ranked in Band 1 by 2022 Chambers and Partners USA for Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth in Illinios
- Crain's Chicago Business Notable Gen X Leaders in Law (2021)
- #1 Female Divorce attorney in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Chicago by The Best Lawyers in America
- Top 10 Attorney by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- Top 10 Women Litigators in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 10 Women Lawyer in Illinois in All Areas of Law by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 10 Female Consumer Lawyers in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Network
- Top 50 Female Lawyers in Illinois in All Areas of Law by Super Lawyers
- Top 50 Women Lawyer in Illinois by Super Lawyers
- Fellow in the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society of the Litigation Counsel of America
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
- "40 Under Forty" Illinois Attorney to Watch by Law Bulletin Media
- SuperLawyers (2005-2025)
Media
Articles/Blogs
No articles/blogs information available.
Podcast
No podcast information available.
Presentations
No presentations information available.
Thought Leadership
No thought leadership information available.
Video
No video information available.
Recognition
Awards / Accolades
No awards/accolades information available.