Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 2003
Education: DePaul University College of Law
Languages spoken: English, Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Call today:
847-886-9053
Free Consultation Shyama S. Parikh, P.C.
325 Washington St.#301
Waukegan, IL 60085 Visit website
A prominent attorney within her legal community, Shyama S. Parikh strives to provide her clients with the top-quality legal representation they deserve in their emotionally taxing family law matters, including divorce and dissolution, legal separation, child custody and support, paternity, adoptions and post-decree modifications, among many others. From the law office of Shyama S. Parikh, P.C., in Waukegan, Illinois, she serves residents throughout Lake County and the surrounding region.
Ms. Parikh completed her undergraduate studies in 1999, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Spanish and communications from DePaul University, and later went on to enroll at the DePaul University College of Law. During her time there, she shored up her legal and practical knowledge through her academic prowess. She received her Juris Doctor, as well as a certificate in family law, in 2002, and a year later, she obtained her license to practice law in Illinois.
A consummate professional through and through, Ms. Parikh takes on every case with the sole intention of amicably resolving her clients’ legal issues with grace and poise. She utilizes her shrewd legal acumen and talents, as well as an unwavering work ethic that stops short of nothing in giving her clients the peace of mind and respite they deserve. For her many contributions, she has been rated “Excellent” on Avvo and hosts many positive client testimonials on the site as well. She has also been recognized by the following organizations:
- Lake County Bar Association (LCBA): Recognition Award
- The Association of Women Attorneys in Lake County (AWALC): Recognition Award
- The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys: Client Satisfaction Award; 10 Best Female Attorneys list; 10 Best Attorneys list
- Attorney and Practice Magazine: Top 10 Family Law Attorneys list
Ms. Parikh is closely involved with many legal organizations within her legal community, including the AWALC, the Illinois State Bar Association and the LCBA. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, and is licensed to practice in Wisconsin as well.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2003, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.shyamaparikhlaw.com/attorney/parikh-shyama-s-esq...
Bar / Professional Activity
- South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, Member, 2019-2020
- Northern Illinois Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Teen Court volunteer (Waukegan, Lake Forest, Round Lake Beach); 2004-2018, Teen Court Advisory Board; 2011-2018
- North Shore Lawyers Networking, Member, 2013 - 2014
- Lake County Court Contract Mediator, 2014 - 2015
- I was appointed to the Supreme Court Committee on Equality., 2023
- Business Networking Institute (BNI); Member, 2013-2016
- I am the Board of Directors for A Safe Place., 2024
- I am co-Treasurer of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County, 2024
- I am co-chair of the Public Relations Committee for the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Equality, 2024
- I am the Secretary for the Lake County Bar Foundation, 2024
- I am on the Board of Directors for A Safe Place, 2022
- I am on the Board of Directors for the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County., 2022
- I am on the Board of Directors for my HOA, 2022
- I am on the Board of Directors for my HOA., 2023
- I am the Secretary for the Lake County Bar Foundation, 2023
- I am on the Lake County Bar Foundation Board., 2022
- I was the President of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County (AWALC) from 2010-2012, Member; 2003-present, Board of Directors; 2005-2007, 2012-2016, Vice President; 2007-2010, 2021
- Lake County Bar Association, Member 2003-present, Board of Directors; 2014-2019, Secretary 2017-2019, Co-Chair of Lawyer Referral Service; 2012-2013, 2016-present, Co-Chair of Diversity Committee; 2013-2015, Member of CLE committee; 2015-present, Member of Family Law Advisory Group; 2005-2016, 2019-present, Member of Facilities committee; 2011-2013, Docket contributor; 2009-present, Volunteer Mock Trial Judge, Lawyer in the Classroom participant, Speaker/Presenter; Family law seminars, Presenter; Child Representative/GAL training, Docket Editorial Board (2021-present), 2021
- I have been the President of the Jefferson American Inns of Court from 2019-to date, was the Vice President from 2018-2019, was the Secretary/Treasurer from 2016-2018, and was on the Board of Directors from 2017-2018., 2021
- I have been a Member of the Illinois State Bar Association, 2013-present, 0000
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Successful on a 2 day Trial regarding college contribution and fraud by emancipated children, over $100,000 requested from my client and it was denied., 2024
- Successfully worked with over 250 families over the year on their pre-decree and post decree issues., 2023
- Successfully represented a client in which modification of maintenance and contempt was sought, but was denied after 2 days of Trial., 2023
- Successfully completed at least 12 adoptions throughout the year for families seeking to adopt., 2023
- Successfully participated in a multi-day trial as a Guardian ad Litem for 2 children and the case was pending since 2019., 2023
- Successfully had a father that was not supporting his children incarcerated and he was required to pay a lump sum to be released., 2024
- Successfully negotiated 2 year old case with minor child, father in the Military, and non-compliance on multiple issues., 2024
Videos
- My address to community and lawyers., Lawyer Referral Service, Legal, 2021
- agreed divorces, Legal, 2019
Representative Clients
- Represented the daughter in law of a prominent family that owns multiple businesses in Waukegan and are well connected., 2024
- Represented several clients from the courthouse and/or their relatives based on their observations of me in court., 2023
Transactions
- Drafted Pre-Nuptial agreements for several clients with large net worth and estates., 2023
- Draft Post-Nuptial Agreements for families., 2024
Special Licenses / Certifications
- I am a Contract Mediator with Lake County Court based on a Grant we received from the State of Illinois., 2023
- I am on the list of approved Mediators for Lake County, IL., 2024
- I am an Approved Arbitrator and approved to serve as Chairperson during Arbitrations., 2024
- I am a Contract mediator for the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, IL, 2024
- I am on the approved list of Mediators, Guardian ad Litems, Child Representatives, and Arbitrators. I also am appointed as a Parenting Coordinator in cases., 2002
Pro bono / Community Service
- I have been on the Board of Directors for A Safe Place from 2019, to date., 2021
- YWCA Board of Directors; 2008-2014
- Lake Forest, IL School Board, 2024
- A Safe Place; Board of Directors, 2019-present
- I am on the Board of the Wedgwood Home Owners Association., 2024
- Wedgewood Homeowners Association, Secretary; 2017-2018, Board of Directors 2017-present
- I am a member of the Lilac Tree and speak at their events and help plan events and have done so since 2012., 2021
- Since becoming licensed, I have served as a volunteer Teen Court Judge for NICASA (Northern Illinois Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse), served on the Board for the YWCA, served on the Board for A Safe Place, as well as the Board for my HOA., 2003
Educational Background
- DePaul University, Major: Psychology, Minor: Spanish and Communications, 1999
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- I was the presenter for Divorce University., Speaker, Divorcing a Narcissist, Lilac Tree, Legal, 2023
- Illinois State Bar Association, Guest Speaker on Mediation; 2019
- College of Lake County; Guest speaker in Paralegal courses and Family Law courses
- Presenter at various Continuing Legal Education events, presenter for Family Law Seminar, Guest speaker at College of Lake County for Paralegal and Family Law Class, presenter regarding Adoption, presenter regarding mediation., Speaker
- I spoke to a Paralegal Class re: Family law., Speaker, Family Law, 2021
- I have interviewed numerous Judges and members in the legal community from 20019-present and my articles have been published in the Lake County magazine, "The Docket.", Writer, Docket articles/interview, Lake County Docket, Legal, 2009
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Jefferson American Inns of Court President Award, 2022
- Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County; Recognition Award, 2016
- Lake County Bar Association; Recognition and Appreciation Plaque, 2019
- NICASA Teen Court Service Honor, 2018
Honors
- Selected to Super Lawyers 2025 List
- AVVO Top 10 Lawyers, AVVO, 2023
- Lake County Bar Association; Recognition award
- NICASA Teen Court service honor
- Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County; Recognition award
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys; 10 Best Attorneys, 2021
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys; Client Satisfaction Award, 10 Best Female Attorneys, 2016
- Emerging Lawyers; Leading Lawyers, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Award Recipient., Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction, 2024
- Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction, 2023
- Emerging Lawyers, Nomination by peer, 2016
- Lawyers of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law, 2021
- Lawyers of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law, 2020
- Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2018
- Lawyers of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law, 2019
- Lawyers of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law, 2018
- Emerging Lawyers, Nomination by peer, 2017
- Emerging Lawyers, Nomination by peer, 2015
Industry Groups
- Legal
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
