Karen Altman

Associate

kaltman@davisfriedman.com
vCard

Karen Altman is one of those rare people who knew what she wanted to do in life very early on. She decided to be a lawyer when she participated in a mock trial in high school. She realized then she would rather be relating with people and their needs directly, rather than in an impersonal corporate environment.

This ability to make vital decisions early on paid off for Altman, who has been at Davis Friedman since 2004, the year she passed the bar. She already had been working in the law firm for two years while she attended Loyola University's School of Law, enrolled in an accelerated program combining advanced legal training with an undergraduate degree.

Altman finds that there comes a turning point when a transformation occurs in a client. All of a sudden, the person has more confidence. "Some people come to me already at that point. Others may have found out that there's been an affair, for example, and there are psychological barriers they have to overcome in order to be emotionally prepared for this transition in their life.

It is not unusual for Altman to recommend that clients not make any major changes while going through a divorce. Altman also recommends staying involved with the kids and focusing on careers.

She has noticed that working out visitation rights is now changing for the better. "Today there is a trend toward calling it 'parenting time,' which emphasizes treating spouses as co-parents. These people are going to have to work together, often for many years."

Asked what she finds special about Davis Friedman, Altman replies: "I like that we focus solely on family law. There is a huge breadth of experience here, with lawyers who have been practicing two years and lawyers who have been in the field for 50 years. This environment keeps me creative and learning."

Admitted to the Bar

2004, Illinois

Education

Loyola University, B.A., History, 2002

Loyola University Law School, J.D. 2004

Professional Memberships

Member: Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Edited several editions of The Illinois Practice of Family Law [West Publishing]