Margaret Kawarski joined Stern Mendez as a partner in December of 2025. She practices divorce and family law, where she combines her strength for problem solving with her passion for supporting people through significant life changes.

With a background in bioscience and an upbringing shaped by her parents who immigrated from Poland, Margaret blends analytical rigor and hard work with compassion. She is known for listening closely, explaining options clearly and crafting thoughtful, individualized strategies that help clients make informed decisions during an overwhelming time.

Margaret looks forward to expanding Stern Mendez’s reach while contributing to the collaboration and client advocacy that define the firm’s culture.

Question: In which areas of law do you specialize?

I specialize in a range of divorce and family law services, including dissolution of marriage, post decree, parentage, and pre- and post-marital agreements. My experience includes complex child custody and parenting disputes and dissolution cases that involve complex financial matters.

I’m especially interested in the intersection of family law, business and financial matters, and the psychology of family dynamics, whether that means untangling sophisticated financial portfolios or helping parents craft parenting plans that fit their families’ needs.

Question: What inspired you to become a divorce and family law attorney?

I’ve always been drawn to work that is people-focused and requires problem solving. Family law sits at this crossroads: it involves complex legal issues, but at its core, it’s about helping people through major life transitions.

Question: Are there any experiences from your education or career that helped shape your path and who you are today?

A couple significant aspects of my upbringing and education shaped my character, values and path.

My parents immigrated from Poland, and I grew up in a blue collar, Polish household. From an early age I was exposed to the importance of hard work, responsibility and attention to detail. My parents often said, “If you’re going to do something, do it once and do it right.” This is a mindset I carry into my practice. Every strategy I work on with my clients is thoughtful and tailored to their unique situation.

My undergraduate degree is in bioscience, and the classes I took in college gave me a strong foundation in analyzing complex problems. I was also a competitive figure skater for 15 years, an avocation that taught me discipline, resilience and how to perform under pressure, which are all important skills for the court room and litigation.

Family has always been my foundation, so I understand how significant it is when a family is going through a transition. My goal is not only to address legal issues, but also to guide clients through the process and help them move toward the next chapter of their family life with clarity and stability. Over the course of my career, I’ve handled many complex and high-conflict child custody disputes and cases that involve complex financial matters. These cases have reinforced how important it is to combine empathy with meticulous preparation and calm, steady advocacy.

Question: What is something you want your clients to know?

I want my clients to know that I understand how personal and emotional family disputes can be. I listen carefully to their concerns and goals, and I explain options and outcomes in clear, straightforward language so they feel empowered to make informed decisions. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I often had to translate for them growing up, which taught me the importance of clear and patient communication. This style of communication has carried over to my work.

No two families are the same, and I focus on individualized solutions for each family. I want my clients to know that together, we’ll get through a difficult chapter with well-reasoned solutions that meet their specific needs.

I also give honest and realistic advice, and I don’t just say what sounds good in the moment. I may give advice that’s hard to hear, but I always do it with compassion.

Question: What are you most excited to bring to the Stern Mendez team?

I’m excited to contribute to the continued growth of the team. My practice philosophy aligns with Stern Mendez’s commitment to amicably resolving cases when possible, as this often leads to better outcomes for families. At the same time, I’m prepared at any moment to litigate when necessary and advocate vigorously for my clients in court.

Being fluent in Polish and deeply connected to the Chicagoland Polish community allows me to serve Polish-speaking clients more effectively and help them feel comfortable and understood throughout the process. My upbringing also gives me meaningful insight into families from different cultures and backgrounds. I see this as a valuable way to expand the firm’s reach and further its commitment to serving diverse families in our area.

Question: What do you look forward to most with the Stern Mendez team?

I’m excited to collaborate with my talented colleagues, sharing ideas and drawing on the firm’s collective experience to solve difficult problems for clients. Everyone on the Stern Mendez team values high quality work and thoughtful, client-focused advocacy. Our culture is collaborative and full of camaraderie, which is great because clients not only have their attorney behind them, but an entire team.

I look forward to taking on challenging family law matters and contributing to the firm’s growth and success. I also enjoy mentoring law students and younger attorneys. I am fortunate to have had several mentors, including my Stern Mendez colleague, Shay Formanek, while I was beginning my legal career.

Question: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I love to travel and explore new places with my husband, family and friends, whether it’s a weekend away or discovering a new neighborhood in Chicago. On the weekend, you can often find me at local coffee shops and restaurants.

Work With Margaret