Heather Hurst is a born litigator who is passionate about her courtroom work. She began her career as a Cook County State’s Attorney where she regularly represented the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office as a featured speaker on domestic violence issues. Her extensive experience in complex custody and financial cases, including business valuations, non-marital claims, child support, maintenance, parenting time, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements enriches the perspective she brings to her family law practice at Davis Friedman.
Whether it’s a challenging divorce or a complex custody issue, Ms. Hurst says that defining the best course of action for her clients always starts with focused listening and compassionate evaluation. “Clients are inviting me into the most intimate aspects of their lives at a time when they’re feeling the most fragile and vulnerable,” says Ms. Hurst. “I respect their trust and confidence. There’s no room for judgment about individual choices. I take situations as I find them, and help my clients move forward to a happier, secure and productive future.”
As a seasoned litigator, Ms. Hurst’s courtroom and negotiation skills have earned accolades from her peers in the legal community. In 1999, she received the CALI Award for highest academic achievement in Family Law. In 2013, Ms. Hurst was named to the Chicago Law Bulletin’s prestigious 40 under 40 List. Since 2015, the Law Bulletin Publishing Company has honored her as a Leading Lawyer. Since June 2011, she has served on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Family Law Section Council and for the 2018-2019 year is serving as the Council’s Chair.
Although Ms. Hurst is respected for her courtroom skills, she believes litigation should always be a last resort. She taps her legal knowledge and expertise to negotiate, reduce conflict and find the best possible solutions for her clients. This is particularly true in child custody cases. “When divorcing parents can keep all of their negotiations focused on the best interests of the children, then everything else can fall into place,” says Ms. Hurst. “And with my experience, I work tirelessly to navigate the legal system on behalf of my clients and their families.”
Education & Publication
Expertise
Using her superior skills in the courtroom, Heather Hurst offers clients a tactical advantage in litigation-related matters. Whether a case concerns complex financial and custody issues, business valuations, non-marital claims and child support, maintenance, parenting, settlement and pre- and post-nuptial agreements, Ms. Hurst leverages her deep knowledge and expertise to negotiate family law conflicts and achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients and their families.
Education
- University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, B.A., 1995
- John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2000
Admissions
- Admitted to the Illinois State Bar, 2000
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2000
Honors and Awards
- CALI Award for highest academic achievement in Family Law, 1999
- Law Bulletin Publication Company’s Leading Lawyer
- Chicago Law Bulletin’s 40 under Forty, 2013
- Crain’s Chicago’s Notable Women Lawyers 2018
Speaking
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Guardian ad Litem, Chicago Representative, and Attorney for Minor Child Training, Panelist, September 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: 750 ILCS 5/503(g),¹ Panelist, March 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Defense of Serious Endangerment Allegations,”¹ Panelist, March 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Abuse & Fitness to Parent,”¹ Panelist, March 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Evidence and Objections,”¹ Panelist, January 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Subpoena in/out state Medical Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Treatment,”¹ Panelist, November 2016
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Pretrial Motions,”¹ Panelist, November 2016
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law Table Clinic Series: Order of Protection / Domestic Violence Prosecution,” Panelist, 2016
- Helen F. McGillicuddy Awards Symposium: “Domestic Violence & Families,” Panelist, 2015
Articles and Publications
- Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Newsletter, “Disposition of cryopreserved pre-embryos settled in Szafranski v. Dunston, May 2016
- Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Newsletter, “In re Marriage of Mancine v. Gansner, In re the Parentage of Scarlett Z.-D. and the status of ‘equitable parents’ and ‘equitable adoption’ in Illinois,” 2014
- Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education: “Family Law: Nuts & Bolts” course, “Pleadings, Responses, and Appearances,” Presenter, 2014
- Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Newsletter, “The effect of in re: The Marriage of Earlywine on Section 5/501(c-1) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the Practice of Divorce Law,” 2013
Professional Memberships
- Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Council
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Professional Women’s Club of Chicago