Women in Law 2022

EVA KOGUT FOUNDING PARTNER Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. M ore than 20 years ago, Eva Matela Kogut joined the predominately male-ruled family law ranks with a goal to challenge the status quo of women in the legal industry. Quickly rising to the challenge while paving the way for up-and- coming women in the family law and greater legal industry through advocacy, mentorship and coaching, she became a top contender in the field and now co-owns the family law firm, Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. Eva concentrates her practice exclusively in family law, in which she extensively highlights the collaborative divorce process and other alternative dispute resolutions as substitutes to the traditional divorce process to allow for a less painful settlement process. She positioned herself as a go-to collaborative family law attorney, regularly guiding her team and other professionals on collaborative best practices in conferences, seminars and podcasts. She shares insights at the Illinois Psychological Association, Illinois Affiliation of Marriage and Family Therapists, Chicago Bar Association (CBA) and DePaul University while also leading various Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI) training sessions. Since becoming a fellow of the CDI more than 10 years ago, she strongly advocates for individuals to use the collaborative process. She currently serves as co-chair of the CDI’s Training and Education Committee. Previously, she served as co-chair of the Collaborative Process Subcommittee of CBA’s Domestic Relations Committee and managed CDI’s Loop Group Practice Group, following her term as Secretary on CDI’s board. Throughout her career, Eva has been dedicated to fully understanding a client’s personal circumstances and continues to place an emphasis on client advocacy and education to ensure those who entrust her understand the best route to meet their unique needs. In every case, she prioritizes providing compassion and getting to know clients outside of their cases to create strong, trusted relationships. Since cofounding Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. in 2015, Eva took great care to mentor an almost exclusively female team of attorneys, law clerks and staff. She serves as a role model to the firm and inspires those around her to get involved and develop their skills to best represent clients. In the community, St. Monica Academy School Board appointed Eva as Legislative Action Person and Hospitality Representative to advance the school’s mission and environment. She also served as past president of the Young Professional’s Group, a volunteer organization formed by Between Friends formerly known as Friends of Battered Women and Their Children, where she played an instrumental role in the organization’s mission to break the cycle of domestic violence. Her practice has been honored by leading publications and organizations, including annual recognition in the Super, Leading and Best Lawyers lists. Eva was also named to Chicago Lawyer’s Forty Under 40 Illinois Attorneys to Watch list in 2015 and designated by Best Lawyers as the 2021 Chicago Lawyer of the Year in Collaborative Law for both family law and mediation.

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WOMEN IN LAW 2022