A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and an experienced and creative courtroom litigator, Brendan Hammer represents a wide variety of individuals, from executives, entrepreneurs, and medical, legal and creative professionals to political figures, professional athletes and their spouses, partners or paramours. He concentrates his practice on the litigation, mediation and negotiation of sophisticated family law matters including the valuation and division of assets, fraud and dissipation claims, complex compensation structures, spousal challenges to trust and estate plans and high net worth maintenance and child support.
In addition to working on behalf of individual clients, Brendan provides nationwide strategic consulting and support to family law and related professionals. Often teaming with a wide array of custody and financial consultants and experts, Brendan assists attorneys in the creation, development and deployment of strategies and he facilitates the maximization and optimization of client and attorney performance – with a specific focus on the psycho-social and performative aspects of litigation.
Named as one of Crain’s Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago (2017), the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch (2012) and other honors, Brendan speaks, teaches and publishes on various trial-related matters—including cross-examination, evidence, performance aspects of litigation, trial techniques and oral argument. Certified in divorce mediation through Northwestern University, he also completed the family law trial advocacy program and the Advanced Cross Examination Program of the National Family Law Trial Institute with Roger Dodd. Brendan previously served on the Faculty of the National Family Law Trial Institute.
While recognized by his peers and the judiciary as a zealous and articulate advocate, Brendan also enjoys a reputation in non-litigated settings as a pragmatic, sensitive, and collegial professional. Brendan is frequently cited in mainstream media on divorce and family law matters, including in The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.
Brendan is admitted to practice law in Illinois and Texas (Inactive Status in TX).
Call or email Hammer Serna & Quinn, LLC today to schedule a consultation.