Joerika Stitt
Attorney Mediator Advocate

Your Story. Your Family. Your Future. Let's Navigate It Together.

My journey to becoming a lawyer and advocate for families was anything but straightforward. It began with a deep desire to help others, leading me to a career in social work where I spent nearly a decade immersed in the complexities of the human experience. I witnessed firsthand the struggles individuals and families faced, and I knew I wanted to do more to empower them.

That calling led me to law school and then to a career as a legal aid attorney. I represented countless people in emotionally charged divorce, family, and order of protection cases. The weight of those experiences, particularly the prevalence of domestic violence, stayed with me.

Then, life took an unexpected turn. I went through my own divorce, a process that shook me to my core. Despite my legal training, I found myself trapped in a contentious battle that left my family wounded and my co-parent and me unable to effectively work together. The adversarial system, designed to protect, had instead caused immense harm.

That's when I made a promise to myself – to help others avoid the same trauma and outcome. I sought extensive training in mediation and collaborative divorce, determined to offer a different path. These approaches, focused on cooperation and mutual respect, resonated deeply with my values.

Today, I find immense fulfillment in guiding families through separation and divorce with compassion and understanding. Whether it's through mediation, collaborative law, or when necessary, litigation, my priority is to empower my clients to make informed decisions that protect their well-being and their future.

My commitment to helping others extends beyond family law. My experience with disability issues fuels my passion for creating comprehensive estate plans, particularly for families with special needs. This work is deeply personal to me. Having witnessed the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families, I understand the importance of careful planning to ensure their security and well-being. I'm dedicated to crafting estate plans that provide for their unique needs and protect their future.

If you're facing a difficult life transition, know that you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here to listen, to guide, and to advocate for you every step of the way. Let's work together to build a better future for you and your family.

Joerika Stitt, Esq.

    • State of Illinois, 2020

    • United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2022

    • Juris Doctor (J.D.), Chicago Kent College of Law

    • Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), UIUC School of Social Work

    • Mediation Certification, Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR)

    • Collaborative Divorce Certification, Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI)

    • Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP)

    • Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI)

    • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)

    • ISBA Family Law Section (ISBA)

    • Chicago Bar Association (CBA)

    • Cook County Bar Association (CCBA)

    • Will County Bar Association (WCBA)

  • Gun Violence and De Facto Segregation: Could Environmental Discrimination Be Fueling Chicago's Soaring Gun Violence? 11 Wake Forest J. L. & Pol'y 395 (2020-2021)

    • Attorney Stitt proudly serves on the Board of Directors for HOPE Fair Housing, a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for housing justice for all.