Paul T. Koontz

I grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where I graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in history. Afterward, I pursued my legal education at Southern Illinois University, earning my juris doctor in 2014. During law school, I interned with the McHenry County and Hamilton County State’s Attorney’s offices. These internships provided me with hands-on experience in high-profile criminal prosecutions and both jury and bench trials. I became licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2014 and am also admitted to practice in the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, as well as the Southern District of Wisconsin. Early in my career, I focused on criminal law, first as a Prosecutor in Winnebago County, Illinois, and later as a defense attorney across northern Illinois. However, after my wife and daughter entered my life, I found my calling in family law. My time working in criminal law taught me persistence and determination, qualities that earned me recognition as one of the "Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys under 40 in Illinois" for both 2024 and 2025. I bring that same determination to my family law practice. Being a husband and father myself, I understand the challenges, love, and complexities involved in relationships, as well as the pain that comes when those relationships face the strain of divorce, child custody proceedings, or support issues. I recognize what’s at stake—divorce is not just the end of a relationship; it’s an emotional journey marked by intense highs and lows. I have worked with many families on various aspects of family law cases, including divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, spousal and child support matters, emergency motions and hearings, protective orders, and cases involving domestic violence. I am committed to seeing my clients through these difficult times and helping them reach the other side.