Margaret Kawarski, Divorce & Family Law Attorney

Meet with Margaret

Margaret Kawarski is a partner at Stern Mendez where she practices all aspects of divorce and family law, including dissolution of marriage, post-decree matters, parentage, and pre- and post-marital agreements. She brings to the firm extensive experience handling high-conflict child custody and parenting disputes, as well as cases that involve complex financial matters. She has always been drawn to work that is both people-focused and grounded in problem-solving. This combination inspired her to focus her career on divorce and family law, which involves complex legal issues but is, at its core, about helping people through major life transitions.

Margaret received her bachelor’s degree in bioscience from DePaul University. Her undergraduate studies gave her a strong foundation in analytical thinking and strategic problem solving. She now brings that background to the financial and custody issues in her cases, whether she is untangling sophisticated financial portfolios or helping parents design parenting plans that genuinely fit their children’s lives.

Clients value Margaret’s straightforward, supportive style. She listens closely to what matters most to them, explains options and likely outcomes in plain language, and focuses on individualized solutions that align with her clients’ long-term goals. Consistent with that approach, Margaret aims to resolve matters through negotiation, mediation, and other collaborative methods whenever possible, but she is fully prepared to litigate when court intervention is necessary to protect her clients’ interests.

Margaret was raised in a Polish immigrant household, is fluent in Polish, and remains closely connected to the Chicagoland Polish community. This background allows her to effectively serve Polish-speaking clients and bring insight and understanding to families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Margaret is excited to contribute to the growth of Stern Mendez’s team and collaborate with her colleagues to champion thoughtful, client-focused advocacy. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring Chicago’s neighborhoods, getting back on the ice after years as a competitive figure skater, and spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Divorce & Family Law Services

Estate Planning Services

Education & Experience

Margaret graduated from DePaul University College of Law with a cum laude distinction. While at DePaul, Margaret was awarded two CALI Excellence Awards in both her Child Advocacy Legal Drafting course and Health Care Fraud and Abuse course, and she served as Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Journal of Health Care Law. During law school, Margaret also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Mark J. Lopez in the Cook County Domestic Relations Division, an experience that deepened her interest in family law.

Bar Admissions & Associations

Margaret is admitted to practice in Illinois and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, and the Advocate Society for Polish-American attorneys.

Awards

Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2022 – 2026
- Awarded by Illinois Super Lawyers, the designation is granted to the top 2.5% of lawyers under 40 years of age in Illinois
Doyle’s Family Law Rising Stars, 2025
- Awarded by Doyle’s Guide, this honor recognizes 15 family law practitioners in the Greater Chicagoland area who have been identified as future leading lawyers in the field.

Meet with Margaret

Our family law and estate planning firm is based in Evanston, Chicago, Lake Forest and Oak Brook. We serve clients across Cook County and the North Shore, as well as Lake, DuPage and Will Counties.

Testimonial

“I appreciate the empathy and compassion Shay displayed, along with a fierce command of family law. I highly recommend her and Marvin Mendez as a team who can navigate the various challenges of family court.”

Sarah, Evanston

For a free consultation, call Stern Mendez at (847) 868-9584 or contact us.