Caesar & Bender, LLP

Attorney Michael Ian Bender

In December of 2013, Michael Ian Bender left a distinguished career as a Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois Domestic Relations Judge. He had presided over more than 40,000 family law proceedings, where he brought justice to women, men, children, and their families.

Judge Bender then re-established the Law Office of Michael Ian Bender, which has its roots dating back to 1968 when his father, Judge Gerald C. Bender, began his prolific legal practice before he also served as a Cook County Illinois Domestic Relations Law Judge.

On October 1, 2018, Judge Michael Ian Bender co-founded Caesar & Bender, LLP with renowned litigator and family law attorney, Molly E. Caesar. Michael and Molly have taken the practice to new heights while concentrating exclusively on Domestic Relations/Family Law matters including, but not limited to, prenuptial agreements, divorce, custody/parentage, visitation/parenting time, fertility/embryo litigation and agreements, child support, alimony/maintenance, and orders of protection. With a combined 40+ years of experience, Caesar & Bender, LLP, is a well-recognized staple in the legal community, helping clients navigate their domestic relations issues.

Judge Bender graduated from the University of Illinois/Chicago John Marshall Law School, where he served on the Law Review editorial board and was elected class representative to the student government. Upon earning his juris doctor degree, he went on to earn a subsequent LLM in Privacy and Technology Law. After years of successful legal practice, which included federal and state civil rights litigation as well as continuous public service, the alumni association presented him with its Distinguished Service Award. The school also honored d him by displaying him in its Hall of Distinction for both his service as a Judge and the Public Administrator of Cook County, Illinois.

Judge Bender served as a Judicial Law Clerk in the First District Illinois Appellate Court for the Honorable Justice Alan Hartman, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Village of Skokie, Administrative Assistant at the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Founding Board Member of the North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts, Founding Executive Board Member of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, and personal attorney to war crimes hunter and humanitarian, Simon Wiesenthal.

Judge Bender had been elected to the Skokie Park District Board of Commissioners, where he served as President and was recognized for returning the District to financial security, ensuring many years of joy and happiness to the children who benefit from its facilities and programing.

In 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Bender to the position of Full Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. While serving in the Domestic Relations Division, he presided over thousands of cases involving child abuse, custody, and support.

Judge Michael Ian Bender has devoted his life to protecting children so that they can grow into functional, independent, and healthy adults. The trauma that children suffer due to adversity between their parents can have long-lasting negative effects. This trauma is heightened at times of divorce and separation.

In his book, "Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time," Judge Bender documents his extensive experience in minimizing trauma to the children who are experiencing family breakups so that parents, lawyers, and judges can effectively and efficiently limit and remove the trauma from the child's life. His book provides unique insight into aiding children of divorce, custody, and parentage disputes, so that they grow and mature into functional, healthy adults. In turn, these children will be able to have healthy relationships with their spouses, children, and co-workers.

Honors & Awards:

• 2020 – Litigator of the Year, Family Law
• 2020 – Lawyer of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law
• 2020 – Best Law Firms in Illinois
• 2020 – 10 Best Illinois Family Law Firms
• 2020 – Best Lawyers in America
• 2020 – WCGO Radio interview – Preparing for Divorce During Covid-19
• 2020 – PATCH.com – Featured Article - Divorce Preparation Check List
• 2019 – 2020 - Ten Best Illinois Law Firms
• 2019 – 2020 - Ranked Among US News & World Report Best Law Firms
• 2019 – Lawyer of Distinction, Family and Divorce Law
• 2019 – Chicago Tribune interview “Shout Out: Judge Michael Ian Bender, Author of Book Protecting Children”
• 2019 – WCPT Radio interview with Joan Esposito “Protecting Children in Divorce”
• 2019 – WGCO Radio interview with Bill Turk regarding “Protecting Children”
• 2019 – Chicago Tribune interview “How to Minimize the Impact of Divorce on Children”
• 2019 – 10 Best Illinois Family Law Firms
• 2018 – Fox 32 Chicago Television interview – Michael Bender Discusses Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 2017 – ABC 7 Chicago Television interview – Judge Bender Shares Holiday Tips for Divorced Parents
• 2017 – Fox 32 Chicago television interview – Judge Bender Discusses Divorce and the Holiday Season
• 2017 – WCGO Radio interview – Judge Bender Shares Back-to-School Rips for Divorced Parents
• 2017 – Fox 32 Chicago interview – Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 2017 – ABC 7 Chicago interview – Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 2017 – WGCO Radio interview – Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 2016 – 10 Best Client Satisfaction – American Institute of Legal Counsel
• 2016 – 10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• 2016 – 10 Best Litigation & Dispute Division, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• 2016 – The North Shore Weekend and Daily North Shore - Love & Marriage Columnist, Joanna Brown interview – “Is
• Peaceful Divorce an Oxymoron or a Possibility?
• 2015 – 10 Best in Client Satisfaction – American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• 2015 – Leading Lawyers
• 2015 – The You Journal - “Michael Ian Bender is Someone You Should Know”
• 2014 – Chicago Daley Law Bulletin - By Lined Article “Conscious Uncoupling”
• 2014 – Attorney at Law Magazine – Cover Story

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Board Member, Illinois Judges Foundation

Attorney Molly E. Caesar

Molly E. Caesar draws upon her vast litigation and transactional experience to deliver her clients unsurpassed legal representation. Her genuine and unwavering commitment to her clients continues to be nationally recognized from groups such as "The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys," "Super Lawyers," "The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys," and "Who's Who in America."

Concentrating in the area of domestic relations/family law, Molly co-founded Caesar & Bender, LLP with Michael Ian Bender, who had served as a Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Domestic Relations Judge. Together they provide clients personalized, highly skilled representation. Caesar & Bender, LLP has been recognized as one of the 10 best law firms in Illinois for exceptional and outstanding client service, as well as listed in "U.S. News & World Report," as among the best law firms in Illinois.

Highly respected as a leader both in and out of her field, Molly attributes her success to hard work, dedication, and her passion to help clients achieve the best possible outcome. She exclusively concentrates in the area of family law including, but not limited to, prenuptial agreements, divorce, custody/parentage, visitation/parenting time, fertility/embryo litigation and agreements, child support, alimony/maintenance, and orders of protection.

In addition to her practice, Molly also serves as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, DePaul University College of Law, and she is a member of DePaul's Family Law Advisory Board. She graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University College of Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. During law school, she was also the recipient of multiple CALI Awards for Excellence and was a member of the DePaul Law Review.

Molly provides compassionate and personalized attention to every client, understanding that they are often going through a difficult and emotional time. Molly's undergraduate degree in psychology and social work has well prepared her for the emotional complexities of working with clients in family law proceedings. Her attention to detail and zealous advocacy allows her to help her clients achieve their goals, whether in the courtroom or through settlement. Throughout the course of her career, Molly has been involved in complex family law matters at the trial, appellate and supreme court levels.

Education:

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  
  • J.D. - 2010
  • Honors: summa cum laude
  • Honors: Order of the Coif National Honor Society, Member

Honors & Awards:

• 2020 – Elite Lawyer
• 2020 – Top 10 Under 40 – National Academy of Family Law Attorneys
• 2020 – Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyers
• 2020 – Who’s Who in America
• 2020 – Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers
• 2020 – Who’s Who Distinguished Humanitarian Award
• 2020 – Best Law Firms in Illinois
• 2020 – 10 Best Illinois Family Law Firms
• 2020 – WCGO Radio interview – Preparing for Divorce During COVID-19
• 2020 – PATCH.com – Featured Article – Divorce Preparation Check List
• 2020 – WGN Radio interview – Preparing for Divorce
• 2019 – 2020 – Ten Best Illinois Law Firms
• 2019 – 2020 – Ranked Among US News & World Report Best Law Firms
• 2019 – 2020 “10 Best Under 40” – American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• 2018 – 2021 – Super Lawyers Rising Star

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• DePaul University College of Law, Family Law Center Advisory Board Member
• North Suburban Bar Association, President, 2016 - 2017
• Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member, June 2014 – May 2015
• Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Domestic Relations Committee, 2016 - 2017