Practice Areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1998
Education: University of Illinois College of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013 Call today:
630-283-1987
Blacha Law Office, LLC
1230 E Diehl Rd.Suite 325
Naperville, IL 60563 Visit website
Details
A partner at the Blacha Law Office, LLC, located in St. Charles, Illinois, Sean M. McCumber has more than 23 years of legal experience. He concentrates his practice on family law matters involving divorce litigation, guardianships, parentage, child custody litigation, juvenile delinquency, juvenile abuse and neglect, adoptions, domestic partnerships and unmarried couples. He also serves as a guardian ad litem and child representative in the judicial courts of Illinois.
Serving clients in Kane, DuPage, Will and Kendall counties, Mr. McCumber is a tireless advocate for the rights of his clients. He is compassionate and empathetic and understands the emotional and psychological effects of a family law issue. He keenly listens to his clients, communicates well and helps them navigate through the legal process.
Graduating magna cum laude, Mr. McCumber received his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice sciences from Illinois State University and was a Presidential Scholar. He went on to pursue his legal education at the University of Illinois College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude with dean’s list honors and received his Juris Doctor in 1998.
Mr. McCumber is an active member of several legal organizations, including the:
- Illinois State Bar Association’s Family Law Section and Child Law Section
- Kendall County Bar Association
- DuPage County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee, Child Advocacy Committee, Civil Law Committee, Diversity Committee, Media Committee and the Legal Aid Committee
- DuPage Justinian Society
- Illinois Bar Foundation
- American Inns of Court DuPage
- Celtic Law Society
Recognized for his notable legal work, Mr. McCumber received the Director’s Award from the DuPage County Bar Association. He was listed as Volunteer of the Year by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. He was named to the list of Leading Lawyer in Adoptions & Assisted Reproduction Technology and Leading Lawyer in Family Law by Leading Lawyers Network. He also has a “Superb” rating on Avvo with many five-star ratings and reviews from his happy clients.
Mr. McCumber is licensed since 1998 in Illinois and is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, the United States Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. He frequently lectures at many seminars and training programs and has published many articles about family law-related matters.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1998, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.napervilledivorcelawyer.com/attorney/mccumber-se...
Bar/Professional Activity:
- DuPage County Bar Association, 2005 to Present
- Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee, 2003-2005
- Chicago Bar Association, 1999 – 2005
- American Inns of Court, DuPage County Chapter, 2007 – 2014
- Illinois Bar Foundation, 2007 – Present (Gold Fellow)
- DuPage Justinian Society, Cancer Ball Committee, 2008 – 2013
- DuPage Justinian Society, 2006 – Present
- DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, 2006 to Present
- Celtic Law Society, 2006 – 2012
- DuPage County Legal Assistance Foundation, President, 2008, 2013, 2016
- DuPage County Legal Assistance Foundation, Vice-President, 2007, 2012, 2015
- DuPage County Bar Association, Judges’ Nite Committee, Vice-Chair, 2007, 2008
- DuPage County Bar Association, Entertainment Committee Chair, 2008
- DuPage County Bar Association, Legal Aid Committee, Chair, 2008
- DuPage County Bar Association, Legal Aid Committee, Vice-Chair, 2007
- DuPage County Bar Association, Legal Aid Committee, 2006 to Present
- DuPage County Bar Association, Media Committee (Public Service Legal Media Show), Chair, 2008, 2011
- DuPage County Bar Association, Media Committee (Public Service Legal Media Show), Vice-Chair, 2007, 2010
- DuPage County Bar Association, Media Committee (Public Service Legal Media Show), 2007- 2011
- DuPage County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law, Chair, 2009
- DuPage County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law, Vice-Chair, 2008
- DuPage County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law, 2008 – 2014
- DuPage County Bar Association, Diversity Committee, 2008 to Present
- DuPage County Bar Association, CLE Committee – Basic Skills Subcommittee, 2006
- DuPage County Bar Association, CLE Committee, 2006 – 2013
- DuPage County Bar Association, Civil Law Committee, Chair, 2016
- DuPage County Bar Association, Civil Law Committee, Vice-Chair, 2015
- DuPage County Bar Association, Civil Law Committee, 2014 to Present
- DuPage County Bar Association, Child Representative/GAL Subcommittee, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015
- DuPage County Bar Association, Child Advocacy Committee, Chair, 2007, 2011
- DuPage County Bar Association, Child Advocacy Committee, Vice-Chair, 2006, 2010
- DuPage County Bar Association, Child Advocacy Committee, 2006 to Present
- DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, Chair, 2010, 2016
- DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, Vice-Chair, 2009, 2015
- DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Committee, 2005 to Present
- Illinois, 1998
- Kendall County Bar Association, 2009 to Present
- Illinois State Bar Association, Child Law Section Council, 2007 to Present
- Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2005 to Present
- Illinois State Bar Association, 1998 to Present
- Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, Membership Committee & Grievance Committee, Fellow, 2012 to Present
- Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit – Mediation Training Moderator, 2007
- Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit – Rules Revision Committee, 2006 – 2008, 2012
- Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Divorce Training Program, 2000 – 2002
- Chicago Bar Association, Guardianship Training Program, 2001 – 2003
- Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee, 2004 – 2005
- Chicago Bar Foundation – Adoption Training Program, 1998 – 2002
- Tribal Bar of the Coquille Indian Tribe, 2013
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2000
- Illinois Supreme Court, 1998
- U.S. Tax Court, 2001
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- United States v. Thomas, 284 F.3e 746 (7th Cir 2002)
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem in abuse/neglect cases by the Illinois DCFS, 1998 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (probate) – Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, 2007 – Present (training coordinator)
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (adoptions) - Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, 2010 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (adoptions) - Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, 2007 – Present (training coordinator)
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit, 2012 – Present (Kendall & DeKalb Counties)
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, 2009 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, 2008 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, 2008 – Present (Winnebago County)
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Twelfth Judicial Circuit, 2007 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, 2006 – Present
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem (domestic relations) – Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, 2006 – Present (training coordinator 2010-2012)
Pro bono/Community Service:
- President, DuPage Legal Aid Foundation, 2008
- Lawyers for the Creative Arts
- Congo Square Theatre Company
- Steel Beam Theatre Company
- Community Economic Development Project
- Chicago Bar Foundation
- Northwestern University Immigration Law Clinic
- Illini Media Company
- Illinois Broadcasters Association
- President, DuPage Legal Aid Foundation, 2012
- President, DuPage Legal Aid Foundation, 2016
- President, DuPage Legal Aid Foundation, 2019
Honors/Awards:
- Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2009-2013 – Chicago Magazine
- Leading Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2018 to present – Leading Lawyers Network
- Leading Lawyer in Family Law, 2014 to present – Leading Lawyers Network
- Leading Lawyer in Adoptions & Assisted Reproduction Technology, 2013 to present – Leading Lawyers Network
- Super Lawyer, 2013-present – Chicago Magazine
- University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana, Illinois, 1998, Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Leading Lawyers, 2016
- Volunteer Attorney of the Year, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, 2012
- University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana, Illinois, 1998, Honors: Dean's List; Moot Court
- Pro Bono Attorney Service Award, DuPage Bar Legal Aid Service, 2012
- Lawyer of the Year, DuPage County Bar Association, 2010
- Directors Award for Service to the Bar, DuPage County Bar Association, 2007
Educational Background:
- Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, B.A., Honors: magna cum laude, Honors: Illinois State University Presidential Scholar, Honors: Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Honors: Alpha Phi Sigma – Criminal Justice Honor Society, Honors: Order of Omega – Interfraternity Honor Society, Honors: Dean’s List – 1991 – 1995, Major: Criminal Justice Sciences - 1995
- Northern Baptist Seminary, Lombard, Illinois, Student at Large - 2008
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- "At the Finish Line: Drafting Sponsorship Agreements That Won't Trip You Up" (co-author), DCBA Brief, Volume 20, Issue 5, 2008
- Taught seminars to artists and musicians on copyright law, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Chicago, Illinois, 2001 – 2005, 2010-2013
- Appointed head attorney coach, Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 2006
- Co-coach for the mock trial team for the ISBA Mock Trial Competition: Elite Eight in 2005; 2nd Place in 2006, Elite Eight in 2007, Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- Trial advocacy teacher for high school students, Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- “Roles and Duties of the GAL, Child Representative, and Attorney for the Child,” DuPage and Kane County Bar Association GAL Training Program, October 2006
- DuPage County Bar Association Basic Skills Seminar – Adoptions and Guardianships, 2007 – 2009
- “Guardians ad Litem in Adoption & Probate Proceedings,” DuPage County Bar Association, October 2007
- “Virtual Visitation: The Who, What, How, and Where,” DuPage County Bar Association Presentation, March 7, 2009
- “Cyberspying, E-Discovery, and Internet Evidence: The Family Web and Children – A Practical Guide for Guardians ad Litem and Child Representatives,” Cook County Circuit Court – Domestic Relations Division – Child Representative Training, March 19, 2009
- “Cyberspying, E-Discovery, and Internet Evidence: The Family Web and Children – A Practical Guide for Guardians ad Litem and Child Representatives,” ISBA – Child Law Section Council Seminar, May 1, 2009
- “Electric Ethics: Cyberspying, E-Discovery, and Internet Communications in Divorce Proceedings,” Northwest Suburban Bar Association Seminar, May 6, 2009
- “Ethical Issues for GALs, Child Representatives, and Attorneys for Children,” Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, June 2009
- “Guardian ad Litem Investigations for LGBT Parenting Issues,” Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, July 2009
- “Legal Issues for LGBT People,” DuPage County Bar Association Diversity Committee, March 2010
- “Gay and Lesbian Issues in Child Custody Disputes,” Cook County Circuit Court – Domestic Relations Division – Child Representative Training, April 15, 2010
- “Visitation Interference, Parental Kidnapping, and Federal Child Custody Laws,” (with Harry Smith), DuPage County Bar Association, April 28, 2011
- “Overview of Civil Unions, Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships, and the Illinois Civil Unions Act,” (Super Seminar – Civil Unions: Who, What, How, and Huh?), DuPage County Bar Association, May 21, 2011
- “Custody and Visitation Issues Parties May Face in Civil Unions,” (Super Seminar – Civil Unions: Who, What, How, and Huh?), DuPage County Bar Association, May 21, 2011
- “Ethical Issues for Guardians ad Litem (and Child Representatives and Attorneys for Children),” Northwest Suburban Bar Association, June 6, 2011
- “Ethical & Discovery Issues for Guardians ad Litem (and Child Representatives and Attorneys for Children)” - Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, November 2011
- “Discovery Issues for Guardians ad Litem” - Circuit Court for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, February 2012
- “Guardians ad Litem Training Program in Adoption Proceedings,” DuPage County Bar Association, April 2012
- “Advanced Family Law Ethics,” National Business Institute, June 2012
- “Cross-Examination of Custody Evaluators,” DuPage County Bar Association, January 2013
- “Adoption 101: The Basics,” National Business Institute, June 2013
- “Adoption 101: Ethical Issues,” National Business Institute, May 2014
- “Discovery and Depositions for Guardians ad Litem in Probate & Adoption Matters,” DuPage County Bar Association, November 2014
- “Special Topics for GALs in Domestic Relations,” DuPage County Bar Association, February 2015
- “Guardian ad Litem Training Program for Adoptions, Chancery, & Probate,” Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit – Chancery Division, November 2015
- “Cultural and Religious Matters in Custody Disputes” - Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, November 2015
- “The New Statute on Interim Attorneys’ Fees in Divorce Proceedings,” DuPage County Bar Association, January 2016
- Overview of Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction Law, a lecture for the Family Law program at John Marshall Law School, October 2016
- Overview of Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction Law, a lecture for the Family Law program at John Marshall Law School, October 2017
- “Religious and Cultural Issues for Guardians ad Litem (and Child Representatives and Attorneys for Children)” - Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit - Domestic Relations Division, GAL & Child Representative Training Program, November 2017
- “Guardian ad Litem Training Program for Adoptions, Chancery, & Probate,” Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit – Chancery Division, November 2017
- Overview of Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction Law, a lecture for the Family Law program at John Marshall Law School, October 2018
- Overview of Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction Law, a lecture for the Family Law program at John Marshall Law School, March 2019
- Manual entitled Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporations: From Start to Finish, Winston & Strawn LLP, 2000
- Lawyers for the Creative Arts Manual entitled A Musician’s Guide to Copyright Law, 2003
- Textbook entitled Charitable Sales Promotions: A Guide for Charities, City of Hope, 2005
- Article entitled Winning the Race: Drafting Corporate Sponsorship Agreements that Won’t Trip You Up, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” February 2008
- Article entitled Bringing Adoptions Out of the Closet: Open Adoptions, Illinois State Bar Association – Child Law Section Council, February 2008
- Article entitled Role of the Guardian ad Litem in Litigation: Not Just A Witness, co-authored with Thomas A. Else, Illinois State Bar Association – Child Law Section Council, September 2008
- Article entitled Can God Get a Copyright Exemption: Use of Copyrighted Music at Religious Services, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” February 2009
- Article entitled, Next Friends: Can the Attorney for the Minor Act as Next Friend in Emancipation Proceedings?, Illinois State Bar Association – Child Law Section Council, June 2009
- Article entitled, Visitation Enforcement on Non-Custodial Parents, Co-authored with the Honorable Harry Clem, Illinois State Bar Association – Child Law Section Council, June 2010
- Article entitled, Discoverability of the Notes of Guardians Ad Litem In Domestic Relations Proceedings, Co-authored with Ann E. Knight, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” January 2011
- Article entitled, Neither Admitting, Nor Denying: Proper Responses to Request to Admit in Domestic Relations Proceedings, Co-authored with Todd Scalzo, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” February 2011
- Article entitled, Show Me the Money: The New Statewide Comprehensive Financial Disclosure Statement, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” January 2012
- Article entitled, The Importance of an Independent Judiciary: An Essay on Judicial Selection in Illinois, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” May 2012
- Article entitled, Recognizing Difficult Clients: The Who, The What, The How to Avoid, and The What to Do When You Have One, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” February 2013
- Article entitled, The Dance of the Discovery Deposition: Dealing with Dodges, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” January 2015
- Article entitled, And They Call It Puppy Love: Pet Custody in Illinois, DuPage County Bar Association, “The Brief,” January 2019
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2012
- Certificate of Special Recognition from the Illinois House of Representatives for teaching mentoring, advising and inspiring the Glenbard South High School mock trial team, 2006
- Named a Leading Lawyer in Adoption & Reproductive Technology Law, Leading Lawyers Network, 2012
Office location for Sean M. McCumber
1230 E Diehl Rd.
Suite 325
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: 630-283-1987
Selections
12 Years Super Lawyers
5 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013
