Practice areas: Family Law
Licensed in Illinois since: 1997
Education: Harvard Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026 
Free Consultation The Witt Law Firm, P.C.
159 N Sangamon StSuite 200
Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: 312-500-5400 Email: Tanya Witt Visit website
Tanya Witt earned her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1994. A double Ivy League graduate, she attained her undergraduate degree magna cum laude (“with great honor”) from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Witt is admitted to practice law in both Illinois and North Carolina. She is a Chicago divorce lawyer exclusively practices divorce law in Chicago, Illinois.
As a Chicago high net worth divorce attorney, Ms. Witt and her firm represent both men and women and have advised retired professional athletes and some of the area's wealthiest individuals. Ms. Witt is honored to have been appointed to serve on the Illinois State Bar Association's Family Law Section Council since 2021. She presented on cryptocurrency in divorces at the DePaul Law School Annual Family Law Symposium in 2022. She has presented for other bar association groups on cutting-edge issues regarding cryptocurrency and digital assets in divorce cases.
She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Law Society of Illinois. Ms. Witt is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and its Family Law Section. Ms. Witt writes a column for Chicago Lawyer Magazine in which she discussed the latest issues related to owning and managing a law firm practice. Her articles have also been published in the Law Day edition of the Daily Law Bulletin, which is mailed to every attorney in Illinois. Today’s Chicago Woman (“TCW”) magazine published Ms. Witt’s article on Illinois gestational surrogacy law. Prior to founding her own practice, Tanya Witt practiced law in the Chicago office of Baker & McKenzie, one of the world’s largest international law firms. Prior to moving to Chicago in 1997, Tanya practiced law with one of the largest law firms in Charlotte, North Carolina.
First Admitted: 1994, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://mychicagodivorce.com/about/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Harvard Law School, JD - Juris Doctor, 1994
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- We successfully represented a surgeon in a contested divorce case who wanted to enforce a prenuptial agreement in which his wife had waived her right to maintenance ("alimony"). Even though the prenup was not drafted by an attorney, the parties were unrepresented by attorneys and formal financial disclosure was not made, we were able to successfully persuade the judge that the prenup should be followed., 2016
- High-stakes, international divorce. Our client had not lived in the same country as his wife for most of their lengthy marriage. They had lived separate lives and kept their finances separate. Because the marriage was over 20 years in duration, the Illinois maintenance formula was providing for long-term maintenance ("spousal support"). Our client was working but his spouse was not working so spousal support was a big risk. We were able to successfully obtain a divorce with terms that our client wanted. , 2022
- This was a high stakes case. Our high-income, high-net-worth client's long-term marriage was ending. There was one minor child and an adult child who still required some financial assistance. Our client was the sole income earner and the opposing party and the children were financially dependent upon our client. Opposing counsel was a very experienced divorce lawyer. We successfully obtained the terms our client desired while preserving his relationship with his children., 2013
Videos
- Cryptocurrency in Chicago Divorces, Family Law, Business, Corporate, Finance, 2023
Representative Clients
- Successful business owner and father of a young child. , 2023
- Financial analyst with issues regarding division of property and debt., 2020
- Executive and mother of a special-needs, adult child., 2023
- Surgeon and a father., 2016
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Mediator Certification from the Center for Conflict Resolution., 2020
- Collaborative Practice Certification from the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), 2020
Educational Background
- University of Pennsylvania, BA - Bachelor of Arts, 1991
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- DePaul University College of Law Family Law Symposium, Presenter, Cryptocurrency and Dissipation in Divorce Cases, DePaul University College of Law Family Law Symposium, 2022
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association Panel Discussion CLE, Presenter, Ethical Practice in the Digital Age, Northwest Suburban Bar Association Panel Discussion CLE, 2021
- Continuing Legal Education for attorneys, Presenter, Managing Client Expectations, Continuing Legal Education for attorneys, 2011
Other Outstanding Achievements
- I was honored to be invited to speak at a continuing legal education seminar presented by Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education on cryptocurrency and dissipation in Illinois divorces. https://www.iicle.com/p2301-23 , 2023
- Columnist for Chicago Lawyer Magazine (2010-2013 and 2022-present). I write about cutting-edge topics for attorneys who own small law firms., 2023
- Speaker at continuing legal education for Chicago Bar Association on Managing Client Expectations. , 2011
- Panelist -- Ethical practices in the digital age for the Northwest Suburban Bar Association., 2021
- I was honored to speak at the DePaul Law School Family Law Symposium. Law professors from around the world, attorneys and law students attended. https://law.depaul.edu/about/events/featured-events/family-law-symposium/Pages/overview.aspx , 2022
Honors
- Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Attorney & Practice Magazine’s Top 10, 2022
- Appointed to the Illinoi State Bar Association Family Law Section Council by the President of the ISBA., Family Law Section Council, Illinois State Bar Association
- Top 10 Family Law Attorney, American Assoc. of Attorney Advocates, 2022
- Committee Appointment -- ARDC, Illinois State Bar Association, 2021
- 10 Best - Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2021
- Appointed to Judicial Evaluation Committee, Illinois State Bar Association, 2016
- Appointed to Continuing Legal Education Committee, Illinois State Bar Association, 2016
- Magna Cum Laude (graduated with high honors), The University of Pennsylvania, 1991
Industry Groups
- Family Law
Office location for Tanya Witt
159 N Sangamon St
Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60607
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026