Timothy Daw
Partner
Meet Timothy
- Bio
- Admissions
- Memberships
Timothy Daw is a Partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP and represents clients and supervises other attorneys in the firm throughout DuPage, Cook, Will, and surrounding Illinois counties in complex divorce and family law matters.
With more than 40 years of experience, Tim represents business owners, executives, physicians, professional athletes, high-net worth and income individuals, and their spouses in sophisticated family law matters. His practice encompasses complex financial issues, business valuation, tax considerations, property division, maintenance, prenuptial agreements, and child custody and parenting (parental responsibility) issues and disputes.
Tim takes a strategic, long-term approach to divorce. Early in a matter, he works with clients to identify the issues that matter most, establish priorities, and evaluate potential decisions from both a legal and cost-benefit perspective. Recognizing that divorce can be one of the most significant financial transactions of a client's life, he helps clients consider how the structure of a settlement, including cash, investment accounts, retirement assets, real estate, business interests and assets, retirement assets, estate planning, liabilities and other considerations which may affect their financial position well beyond the conclusion of the case. In cases where litigation or mediation appears to be highly likely, Tim provides guidance to clients as to realistic litigation or mediation outcomes and strategies as the case develops.
An experienced litigator and negotiator, Tim develops a course of action based on each client's circumstances and objectives. His approach emphasizes careful preparation, realistic expectations, and informed decision-making, helping clients look beyond immediate disputes and consider the long-term consequences of the choices they make throughout the divorce process.
Tim has also been historically involved in the family law profession and the DuPage County legal community. He has held leadership roles within the DuPage County Bar Association, served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, and has been involved with CASA of DuPage County as well as other civic organizations. His professional and community contributions have earned recognition for both his legal work and pro bono service and various legal rating services.
- Illinois (1985)
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- DuPage County Bar Association
- Former Chair, Family Law Committee
- Former Vice Chair, Family Law Committee
- Former Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section (Current)
- Will County Bar Association
Timothy Daw
Partner
"The best advice I can give to clients is to take a deep breath. Then, let’s look at the case strategically and plan how to get from point A to point F."
Biography
Credentials
Bar Admissions
- Illinois (1985)
Education
- DePaul University, J.D. with distinction (1985)
- University of Illinois, B.S. (1982)
- ABA Family Law Section Family Law Advocacy Institute
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- DuPage County Bar Association
- Former Chair, Family Law Committee
- Former Vice Chair, Family Law Committee
- Former Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section (Current)
- Will County Bar Association
Media & Publications
Articles & Blogs
-
Pandemic Divorce: Family Law In The Time Of Covid - Crain's Chicago Business
-
Wealth Management: The Executive Divorce - Crain's Chicago Business
- In an ‘irreconcilable differences’ divorce system, what about marital misconduct?
- Newsletter - Summer 2017
- Timothy M. Daw was interviewed on WVON regarding child support and custody
- Effort to seek work and maintenance
- Timothy M. Daw was interviewed on WVON regarding child custody
- Newsletter - Winter 2017
- Newsletter Vol. 9, No. 4 - Fall
- The new Illinois marriage act: Striving for accountability, prompt resolutions
- Standard of living: A limitation or a factor?
- Newsletter Vol. 8, No. 2 - Spring
- A Child Does Not have the Right to Ultimately Choose His or Her Custodian
- Children of Divorced Parents Can Sue for College Expenses
- Divorcing in a Volatile Economic Market
- Can There Be Such a Thing As a Civil Divorce?
- “Net Income” for Child Support Purposes
- Guideline Child Support and Deviation Therefrom
- The Modification of Judgments for Dissolution of Marriage
- Preparing for the Great Cross: What Do You Know
Authorships
- "Contempt Proceedings in Domestic Relations Cases," Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Newsletter, Volume 32, No. 2, 1987
- "Sifting Through the Tax Return," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1990, and "Financial Planning and Tax Considerations of Divorce," Illinois CPA Society, 1995
- "The Possible Interjection of the New Spouse's Finances Into Post-Decree Dissolution of Marriage Proceedings," DuPage County Bar Association Brief, Volume 13, Issue 6, February 2001
- "Revisiting Transmutation 20 Years Later: Still Untamed?," DuPage County Bar Association Brief, Volume 15, Issue 8, April 2003
- "Client Management & Education," Illinois Family Law Series Volume 1, IICLE 2003.
- "Motions to Strike and Dismiss in Domestic Relations Cases", DuPage County Bar Association Brief, May, 2007
Speaker
- Numerous speaking engagements through Illinois State Bar Association; DuPage County Bar Association; Chicago Bar Association; Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education; on a national level, Sections of Family Law Litigation, National Business Institute, 1996; QDRO’s: What Can and Can’t be Done, ABA Family Law Section, Spring CLE Meeting, April 2002; Cross-Examination: Anybody Can Do It! ABA Family Law Section, Fall CLE Meeting, November 2002.
Videos
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Accolades
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2025–2026)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2009–2027)
- Illinois Super Lawyers (2005–2026)
- Leading Lawyers Network (2011–2021)
- Martindale-Hubbell, Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- DuPage County Bar Association Board of Directors Award for Outstanding Service
- DuPage County Legal Assistance Foundation Pro Bono Service Award
- DuPage County Bar Association Certificate of Appreciation, Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute
- DuPage County Bar Association Certificate of Appreciation, Chair of the Family Law Practice Committee
Community Involvement
- Flossmoor Country Club (Director, 2015-2016)
- Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (Board Member,Certified Shorthand Reporters Board, 2015-2016)
- Supreme Court of Illinois Committee on Character and Fitness (Retired Member, 1991-2000)
- CASA of DuPage County (Director since 2007, Board President since 2010)
- Marian Catholic High School (former Member of Advisory Board)