Sam F. Cannizzaro

Partner

scannizzaro@davisfriedman.com
vCard

Sam Cannizzaro goes out of his way to put his clients first, understanding the stress they are under while going through a family law matter. "I'm accessible to my clients at all hours. These are not 9-to-5 problems. When clients call, I never have my staff ask 'who's calling.'" He finds the best job satisfaction comes when he is able to benefit clients who didn't think anyone could help them.

"As attorneys, we're always learning," he notes. "I never think I have seen it all." In the initial interview, Cannizzaro says he doesn't take notes. "I want to try and really listen to everything. Very often I ask the client to pretend I'm one of his or her closest friends when they are telling me about their case. Usually a client has a story to tell. And if I can prevent a spouse from doing something that might hurt the family or their case in the long run, I never hesitate to let them know."

In cases involving minor children, he emphasizes, "I always look at the situation from the children's point of view. I'll ask my client to look at the affect divorce might have on the child. I've got to give advice. Sometimes it even sticks with them," he says with a smile. "I had a client, who got divorced recently, tell me, 'I should have listened to you back then.'"

Cannizzaro's warm personality and winning ways come naturally. His first job was as a singing waiter at Monastero's, an Italian restaurant on the Northwest side of Chicago, in the neighborhood where he grew up and still lives today with his family, including a daughter in college and a son in grade school. "I bought the house next door to my mom. She's getting older, and I can keep an eye on her that way."

Cannizzaro still enjoys singing, and in fact is a weekly song leader/soloist at two different Catholic churches. He attended Loyola University of Chicago, then entered Loyola's School of Law. "One of my favorite professors taught Family Law," he remembers, so he volunteered for four semesters in the free legal clinic, where he handled six divorce cases to completion. "That work was exciting to me and I thought: 'Hey, this is what I want to do!'"

In and outside his practice, Cannizzaro has never lost the desire to help people, especially "when they're going through a rough time." Although he has been published in legal journals and is a frequent speaker, he finds some of his most rewarding work has been with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As a wish-granter, Cannizzaro often meets with children who have potentially life-threatening diseases. "I talk with them and learn about their interests, and we try to be creative to make their 'wish' special," he says. "For example, one little girl wanted a shopping trip, so we took her in a limousine to all the stores. We made sure everyone knew her when she came through the door, and she was treated like a princess. We also arranged for a young man to have lunch with a superstar."

"Divorce is tough," he observes. "There is no sense in trying to pretend otherwise. It's tough on the parents and tough on the children. I make sure my clients know that they are my priority. We owe them a high level of service."

Admitted to the Bar

1984, Illinois

Education

Loyola University of Chicago, B.B.A., 1980

Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1984

Professional Memberships

Chicago Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Justinian Society of Lawyers

Accomplishments and Publications

Leading Lawyers of Illinois, 2007-12

Elected ISBA Assembly Member (Four 3-year terms)

Past-President, Edgebrook-Sauganash Chamber of Commerce