David C. Ainley

SENIOR PARTNER

David Ainley begins every relationship with his matrimonial law clients by helping them identify the desired end result and then maintaining their focus on that goal throughout the process. As an experienced trial attorney, Mr. Ainley draws on his considerable knowledge and experience in accounting, business valuation and tax issues to excel in complex high asset, business and real estate cases. Mr. Ainley’s extensive understanding and training in child custody matters allows him to amicably settle most of these issues, while resorting to litigation only when absolutely necessary.

Mr. Ainley is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a former member of the board of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He has a top AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a status bestowed on fewer than 5 percent of attorneys. He is also recognized by his peers as a member of the Leading Lawyers Network and Illinois Super Lawyers. Mr. Ainley is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association and a former appointed member of the ISBA Family Law Section Council and Committee on Professional Conduct.

Mr. Ainley is a frequent lecturer on family law issues, including tax, trusts, evidence, trial advocacy and business and real estate valuation. He’s been a featured speaker at events held by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, The Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Illinois CPA Society. He is also a former faculty member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and American Bar Association’s Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute. Mr. Ainley is a co-author of the “Attorneys’ Fees” chapter in the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Family Law Series, 2008-2015. Mr. Ainley also successfully argued on the subject of equitable property division for same sex couples before the Illinois Appellate Court in the case of In re Civil Union of Hamlin and Vasconcellos, 2015 IL App (2d) 140231. One of Mr. Ainley’s most recent appellate and trial court cases can be found at In re Marriage of Caminiti, 2019 IL App (1st) 171563-U, a successful maintenance modification case.

Mr. Ainley joined Katz & Stefani, LLC as a partner at its 2008 inception.

PUBLICATIONS

• Co-Author of the Attorneys’ Fees Chapter, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Family Law Series (2008-2015)