Biography

Matthew Kaplan has been practicing law in Lake County, Illinois, since 1979. His practice is concentrated in the area of domestic relations law.

Matthew graduated from Lake Forest College in 1970 and from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1979. He grew up in Northbrook, Illinois and has lived in Lake County since 1977. He has lectured at the Lake County Bar Association annual seminar on the issue of child custody jurisdiction and shall be making another presentation on presenting and defending a domestic violence case at the upcoming Lake County Bar Association seminar.

Matthew has extensive litigation experience at the trial and appellate levels. He prosecuted the only domestic violence case to reach the Illinois Supreme Court (Best v. Best) to a unanimous decision in his client’s favor, and was instrumental in that decision’s definition of the process necessary to obtain an order of protection.

Because of his experience and high standards of conduct, Matthew is well-regarded in the legal community. He is known as an attorney who is willing to negotiate a case in order to conserve money and avoid unnecessary damage to the parties and their children, but also as a litigator who will skillfully and successfully take a case through trial, if necessary.

Matthew’s practice has always been client-centered, that is, directed to define and meet the client’s goals within the bounds of ethics and the law. At the initial interview, Matthew will ask questions and gather information about the circumstances of the case and the client’s desires. A discussion of those goals, within the framework of legal remedies and the practicalities of the case, will follow. The decision as to whether Matthew will undertake a case is both his and the prospective client’s to make. If Matthew determines that case involves a conflict of interest or that the client’s goals are unrealistic or inappropriate, he may refuse the case. If the prospective client and Matthew can reach an understanding as to the proper goals and course of action, then he will take the case.

Matthew has been a supporter of many charitable organizations in the Lake County for many years. Among those organizations are: Prairie State Legal Services (from which he received a “Hero of Justice” Award in 2017), United Way of Lake County, and Haven of Lake County.

Education

  • Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D. – 1979
    • Honors: cum laude
  • Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
    • B.A. – 1970
    • Major: Psychology

Classes & Seminars

  • Lake County Bar Association, annual seminar on the issue of child custody jurisdiction, Lecturer

Pro-Bono Activities

  • United Way of Lake County
  • Haven of Lake County

Professional Associations

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Lake County Bar Association

Current Employment Position

  • Attorney

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1979
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1980
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1979

Honors

  • Prairie State Legal Services, “Hero of Justice” Award in 2017

Representative Cases

  • Best v. Best, Illinois Supreme Court