David W. Inlander
Of Counsel
David is a distinguished lawyer with a proven track record handling complex, high-net-worth matrimonial mediations. His sought-after collaborative mediation process draws on decades of experience in civil, chancery, trust and probate litigation, making him an in-demand resource for discerning clients throughout the Chicago area.
His client-centric approach drives his advocacy for alternative dispute resolution models in complex family law matters, as this approach emphasizes client autonomy, empowering the parties—rather than attorneys or judges—to lead negotiations and reach amicable agreements on contested issues.
“By listening, showing respect, and working to understand the other side, you can help repair what is needed to create meaningful, creative solutions—whether for a family, a community, or for the world.”
Additional Details
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Full Bio
David is a highly accomplished family law attorney, specializing in sophisticated guidance for high-net-worth matrimonial mediations.
His family law clients appreciate his innovative solutions, which draw on his years as a family law attorney, litigator, and mediator, as well as his decades of service as the Managing Partner of the storied Chicago law firm Fischel | Kahn.
David’s exemplary legal work has earned countless professional accolades throughout his career, including being named Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in 2019 and 2023, a rare honor held by only the most elite attorneys.
He is regularly honored by Illinois Super Lawyers in the areas of Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution, an accolade given to only the top five percent of attorneys in the state. He is annually named a Leading Lawyer in Illinois in Family Law, Litigation, and ADR, as well as to the Best Lawyers in America list. He is also ranked as an AV Preeminent-rated attorney from Martindale-Hubbell and is past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Bench & Bar Section Council.
In 2022, David was awarded the Advocate for Diversity Award by the Diversity Scholarship Foundation.
Area of Legal Concentration
Widely regarded as one of Chicago’s premier mediators, David facilitates equitable and effective resolutions in even the most challenging matrimonial cases. Sophisticated clients value his tailored, creative solutions to their complex financial and family matters.
His approach reflects his 50 years of litigation experience in state and federal courts as well as through extensive mediation and collaborative training through both Northwestern University and Loyola University.
Credentials
Education
- Northwestern University, Divorce Mediation Skills Training Certificate Program, 2016
- Loyola University, J.D. with honors, 1975
- Note and Comment Editor, Loyola Law Journal
- Vanderbilt University and University of Illinois, B.A., cum laude, 1972
Professional Memberships/Associations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Bar Admissions
- The State of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District Illinois
Community Involvement
David is in his 10th year serving on the Executive Council of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. The Executive Council is the most senior lay body of the organization, overseeing all aspects of the AJC’s policy and management.
He has been a dedicated leader within the AJC for decades, including having served as the long-time Chair of the Interreligious Affairs Commission. This global role involved creating and shaping policy and included four audiences with Pope Francis, as well as meetings with the highest levels of religious and political leadership in the United States and around the world, from Mexico City and Morocco to Istanbul, Israel, India, and Indonesia. In 2019, his work with the AJC was chronicled in the Super Lawyers’ Illinois magazine in a piece called “Repairing the World.”
In 2018, David served as co-chair of the year-long 150th anniversary celebration of Temple Sholom in Chicago, one of the oldest and largest congregations in the city.
This year, David will receive AJC Chicago’s highest honor, the Human Rights Medallion Award, in recognition of his commitment to bettering society.