View PDFAs an experienced trial attorney, Mr. 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. "By separating the emotional and legal aspects of the case, we can minimize time spent on issues that deviate from the desired end-result and create a much more efficient way of managing the case."
Mr. Ainley began his legal career as a criminal law attorney handling several hundred bench and jury trials in such areas as domestic violence, child protection and felony trial, before moving to the private sector in 2000 as an associate and then partner at two highly respected Chicago firms concentrating in family law. He was then invited to join Katz & Stefani, LLC as a partner at its 2008 inception.
A graduate of Purdue University Krannert School of Management (B.S. 1990) and The John Marshall Law School (J.D., Law Review, 1994), Mr. Ainley draws on considerable technical training in production and operations management, accounting, statistics and valuation theories to excel in complex business and real estate valuation issues on behalf of his clients. Mr. Ainley also incorporates several methods of computer modeling to aid in his case presentation. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1994 and the Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court in 1999.
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. He is a member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations, and a former appointed member of the ISBA Family Law Section Council and Committee on Professional Conduct. He is also recognized by his peers as a member of the Leading Lawyers Network and Illinois Super Lawyers.
Mr. Ainley is a frequent lecturer on family law issues including tax, trusts, evidence, trial advocacy, and business and real property valuation including, Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy and American Bar Association Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, 2010 and 2011; Speaker, "Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues in Divorce", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2011; Speaker, "Examining Financial Experts," Chicago Bar Association, 2010-2013; Speaker, “Annual Family Law Seminar for Experienced Attorneys”, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2012; Business Valuation Guest Attorney "Trying the Domestic Relations Case," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2008 and 2009; Speaker, "Advanced Evidence," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2008; Speaker, "Issues Affecting the Treatment of Trusts in Divorce," Stout Risius Ross, 2007; Speaker, "Tax Matters and Ramifications in Divorce," National Business Institute, 2007; Speaker, National Business Institute Seminar on Financial Settlement Strategies for Divorce, 2006; Speaker, "Property Issues in Family Law", Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2006. Mr. Ainley is also a Co-Author of the Attorneys' Fees chapter in the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Family Law Series, 2008-2011.