Michael Bender

Michael Ian Bender is a co-founding partner at Caesar & Bender, LLP and a former Domestic Relations Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. With deep experience presiding over thousands of family law cases, Judge Bender brings insight and judicial perspective to his private practice. He skillfully handles high-net-worth divorces, complex custody and parentage disputes, orders of protection, prenuptial agreements, parenting time, maintenance, and child support. A lifelong advocate for children, Judge Bender is the author of Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time, a guide for parents and professionals on minimizing trauma to children during divorce and custody proceedings. His public service includes leadership roles with the Illinois Judges Foundation, Skokie Park District, and multiple civic boards. A widely recognized legal authority, he has earned honors such as Litigator of the Year, Leading Lawyers, and features in Best Lawyers in America.