Henry D. Kass

Henry D. Kass is a partner at MKFM Law, LLC, who focuses primarily in the areas of domestic relations, guardianship, and criminal law. He obtained his bachelor of arts from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa and also studied abroad at the University of the Basque Country in San Sebastian, Spain. Following his studies overseas, Henry attended the University of Iowa College of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. Thereafter, he became an Assistant State’s Attorney with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office under now Appellate Court Justice, Joseph E. Birkett. There, he prosecuted domestic violence and felony cases and was awarded a Special Commendation. Henry has tried dozens of cases before a jury and several hundreds more before the bench. In addition, Henry taught family law for five years at the College of DuPage. He has published articles in the DuPage County Bar Association Brief, the Illinois State Bar Association Newsletter, and the St. Charles Living magazine. He has served as the Vice Chair and Chair to both the Child Advocacy Section and Family Law Section. He has been awarded the Pro Bono Service Award by the DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation and the Board of Directors Award by the DuPage County Bar Association. Henry is also a member of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, a Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation, has served on the DuPage County Judicial Committee, and was elected to two terms as an Assembly Member to the Illinois State Bar Association. Henry is currently licensed both in the State of Illinois and Iowa and primarily serves clients in the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, and Will.

Practice Areas:

• Divorce Law
• Criminal Law
• Expungement Law
• Family Law
• Guardianship Law

Bar Admissions:

• Iowa State Bar, 2007
• Illinois State Bar, 2001
• Indiana State Bar, 2009 (Pro Hac Vice)

Education:

• University of Iowa, College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Juris Doctorate, 2000
• University of Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
  • Dean's List, 1997
• University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
  • B.A., Language and Linguistics
  • Dean's List, 1996

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, Fellow, 2019-Present
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2019-Present
• Illinois Guardianship Association, 2015-Present
• DuPage County Bar Association, 2005-Present
• Sustaining Member, 2018-Present
• Judiciary Committee, 2011-2014
• Child Advocacy Section, Chair, 2007-2008
• Child Advocacy Section, Vice-Chair, 2006-2007
• Family Law Section, Chair, 2019-Present
• Family Law Section, Vice Chair, 2018-2019
• Kane County Bar Association, 2016-Present
• Sustaining Member, 2018-Present
• Illinois Bar Foundation Fellow, 2011-Present
• Illinois State Bar Association, 2005-Present
  • Assembly Member, 2010-2016
• Iowa State Bar Association, 2007-Present
• Justinian Society of Lawyers (DuPage County Chapter), 2008-Present
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, 1998-2000

Published Works:

• Guardianship: A Path to Protecting Your Loved Ones (Part II: Children) St. Charles Living, October 2020
• The Illinois Probate Act: A Non-Parent’s Alternative to the IMDMA for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
  DuPage County Bar Association Brief, April, VOL 31, 2019
• Guardianship: A Path to Protect Your Loved Ones
  St. Charles Living, December 2018
• Employer Liability in Domestic Relations Law: The Income Withholding for Support Act's Overlooked Remedy in Child Support Enforcement
  DuPage County Bar Association Brief, Febraury, VOL 20, 2008
• The Role of the Guardian ad Litem: Clearly Unclear
  Newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association's Section on Child Law, December, VOL 21, No. 2, 2008

Honors and Awards:

• Best Lawyers, 2021
• Elite Lawyer, 2020-Present
• DuPage County Bar Association Board of Directors Award in Appreciation of Outstanding Service to the DuPage County Bar Association, presented by J. Matthew Pfeiffer, President, DuPage County Bar Association, 2019
• Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois Fellow, 2019-Present
• Leading Lawyers, 2018
• Top Attorneys in Illinois, Chicago Magazine, 2015, 2017
• Super Lawyers, 2015-Present
• Avvo Rating 10.0, 2013-Present
• Pro Bono Service Award, DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation, 2013
• DuPage County Bar Association Award in Recognition of Distinguished Leadership and Meritorious Service, presented by Thomas A. Else, President, DuPage County Bar Association, 2009
• Commendation for Outstanding Service to the Citizens of DuPage County, Presented by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, 2005

Speaking Engagements:

• WGN Let’s Get Legal Radio Podcast, Guest Legal Expert, November 2021
  • https://wgnradio.com/lets-get-legal/partner-at-mkfm-law-henry-kass-shares-about-working-in-family-law/
• Project Venus Divorce Resource: You Have Questions, We Have Answers, Panelist, March 2021
• DCBA Domestic Relations Guardian Ad Litem Training, Moderator, October 2019
• The Illinois Probate Act: A Non-Parent’s Alternative to the IMDMA for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Family Law Section, Presenter, May 2019
• Joseph F. Mirabella, Jr. Domestic Relations Trial Advocacy Program, Moderator, February 2019
• Civility and Professionalism, DuPage County Bar Association, New Lawyers Section Meeting, Presenter, 2012
• Bi-Racial Issues in Custody Cases, DuPage County Bar Association, Guardian ad Litem Training Seminar, Presenter, July 2009
• Virtual Visitation and Internet Parenting, DuPage County Bar Association, Child Advocacy Section Meeting, Presenter and Moderator, March 2009
• Domestic Violence and Family Court: The Role of the Assistant State's Attorney in Family Court, DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Section Meeting, Presenter, 2003

Appellate Court Opinions:

• In re T.M.H., 2019 IL App (2d) 190614
• In re the Marriage of Akers, 2013 IL App (2d) 121090-U (Rule 23)
• In re the Marriage of Gambla and Woodson, 853 N.E.2d 847, 367 I11.App.3d 411, 304I11.Dec.770 (I11.App.Dist.2 07/31/2006)

Special Licenses and Certifications:

• Guardian ad Litem for minor children in divorce and parentage cases, Domestic Relations Division, 2007 - Present
• Guardian ad Litem for minor children in adoption cases and disabled adults in guardianship cases, Chancery Division, 2007 - Present
• Qualified Mediator (Domestic Relations), 2014
• Qualified in Collaborative Law (Domestic Relations), 2018

Languages:

• English
• Spanish

Volunteer Activities:

• DuPage County High School Mock Trial Competition, 2008
  • Mock Judge
• Arlyn Minor Moot Court, Northwestern Law School, 2006
  • Mock Justice and Evaluator
• San Sebastian, Spain
  • Assistant High School English Teacher, 1997
• Lawyers Lending a Hand
  • Volunteer

Past Employment Positions:

• Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, 2009-Present
  • Partner
• College of DuPage, 2007-2011
  • Adjunct Instructor of Family Law
• Haskin & Corrigan, P.C., 2005-2009
  • Associate Attorney
• DuPage County States Attorney's Office, 2001-2005
  • Assistant State's Attorney
• Johnson County Attorney's Office, 2000
  • Prosecuting Intern
• Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department, 1997-1998
  • Sheriff’s Deputy