James M. Hagler - Chicago, IL
Attorney at The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.
Family Law Lawyers in Chicago, IL
225 West Wacker Drive Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60606
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
35
Years
Experience
Chicago Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 02/16/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- High Net Worth Divorce
Attorney Information
Overview
Jim brings his battlefield tactics to the courtroom on behalf of others. He has represented many high-profile clients including professional athletes, recording artists and public officials.
Widely-known as a tenacious litigator, Jim was honored with the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children due to his experience and knowledge in international Hague Convention custody litigation. The National Center has referred many international cases to him in which he helped reunite many fathers with their children from Poland, Argentina, and Mexico.
Jim, an attorney with a deep sense of loyalty and courage, was also presented the "Life Saver Award" for helping recover an abused and kidnapped child who is now safe and out of harm's way.
In August 2009, Mr. Hagler was invited by the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships as an expert resource to join White House staff and others to participate in the First Annual White House Town Hall Meeting on Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families.
Most recently, in early 2015 Mr. Hagler was appointed to serve on the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations in Cook County. This is a significant professional honor involving the review of Judges in our judicial system.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- Life Saver Award
- Chicago Best Lawyer 2015 -selected by his peers
- Best Divorce Lawyer, 2014 - Present
- 2026 Best Trial Advocacy Award (co-recipient)
Other Sources of Feedback About James M. Hagler
Included on the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
The John Marshall Law School,
Chicago,
Illinois, 1990
Juris Doctor
-
The John Marshall Law School,
Chicago,
Illinois, 1990
-
Non Legal Education
-
Boston University,
Boston,
Massachusetts, 1983
B.A.
-
Boston University,
Boston,
Massachusetts, 1983
Past Positions
- Illinois National Guard, Sergeant, 1981 - 1995
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1991
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1991
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1991
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1991
Other Affiliations
- Illinois State Bar (Member)
- Chicago Bar Association (Member)
- American Bar Association (Member)
- Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) (Serving on Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations in Cook County)
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