“Helping people through difficult and complex problems with an eye on detail and an in-depth knowledge of the law.”
About Howard A. London
Howard London was recognized as the 2020 Chicago Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America, an honor given to the lawyer with the highest peer review score in a given practice area and metropolitan area. He received the same honor from Best Lawyers in 2018.
Mr. London was also listed in Leading Lawyers Magazine as among the Top 10 Family Law attorneys in Illinois in 2016 and 2019 (Ranked No. 2 in 2019) and among the Top 10 Illinois Civil Appellate Law attorneys in 2014.
An equity partner at Beermann with over 45 years of matrimonial law experience, Mr. London has handled some of the most high-profile and complex matrimonial cases, and his combination of trial and appellate court experience in family law cases—including well over 100 appeals—is unparalleled in the firm. For this reason, one of Mr. London’s important roles at Beermann is to consult and assist on many of the firm’s most challenging cases, in addition to representing his personal clients.
Mr. London is trained and experienced in various alternate dispute resolution (ADR) methods—such as mediation and collaborative law, and he advocates these approaches whenever appropriate to achieve fair settlements in an amicable and cost-effective way.
Mr. London has lectured and is widely published on appeals, family law topics, and other legal subjects. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the categories of family law and appellate practice each year since 2006, as well as by the Leading Lawyers Network in family law, family appellate law and civil appellate law, and in Illinois Super Lawyers each year since 2005.
- J.D., George Washington University, 1978
- B.A., Northwestern University, 1975
- Illinois, 1978
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1978
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1979
- Arizona, 1983 (inactive status)
- Volunteer Participant in the Retreat to Develop an Action Strategy on Strengthening Complementarity in Kenya, sponsored by the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa and the Open Society Justice Initiative, Nanyuki, Kenya, May 17, 2011
- Delegate to the United States-Russia Joint Conference on the Rule of Law, St. Petersburg, Russia, November 2007
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chairman, Supreme Court Rules Sub-Committee of Matrimonial Law Committee, 1989-1990 and 1986-1987
- Member, Sub-Committee on Delay Reduction, 1989-1990
- Vice Chairman, Supreme Court Rules Sub-Committee of Matrimonial Law Committee, 1988-1989
- Member, Liaison Committee to the Chief Judge of the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, 1987-1988
- Co-Chairman, Supreme Court Rules Sub-Committee of Matrimonial Law Committee, 1986-1986
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, Family Law Section Council, 1997-1998
- Member, Standing Committee on Membership and Bar Activities, 1988-1989
- Member, ISBA/CBA Study Committee on Supreme Court Rules for Family Law Cases, 1990
- American Bar Association
- Member, Litigation Section, 2000-present
- Member, Family Law Section, 1993-2000
- Appellate Lawyers Association
- President, 1990-1991
- Vice President, 1989-1990
- Secretary, 1988-1989
- Board of Editors, Appellate Law Review, 1988-1989
- Treasurer, 1987-1988
- Chairman, Moot Court Committee, 1986-1988
- Membership Chairman, 1984-1986
- Board of Directors, 1983-1985
- Adjunct Professor of Law at The John Marshall Law School, 1984-1986
- 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Recognized since 2006
- 2024 Ranked By Chambers and Partners USA for Family/Matrimonial : High Net Worth, Recognized since 2023
- 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers, Recognized since 2005
- 2024 Samuel S. Berger Award, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Family Lawyers
- 2019 Leading Lawyers Top 10 Family Law Lawyers in Illinois
- 2018 Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year: Family Law
- 2015 Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers
- “What You Need to Know Before You Gift a Child who is Married,” Crain’s Chicago Business, June 2016
- “Appeals in Marriage Dissolution Cases,” Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Handbook, 2011 Edition
- Senior Editor and Author, Illinois Family Law Journal, 1983-1985
- “Appeals in the Dissolution of Marriage Cases,” Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Handbook, 1995
- “Stays Pending Appeal,” Appellate Law Review, Volume 3, Number 2, Summer 1990
- “Perfection of an Appeal,” Chapter 4, Illinois Civil Appeals published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1984 edition, 1986 and 1987 supplements, 1989 edition
- “Outline of the Law on Child Custody,” Illinois Family Law, 1988
- Co-Author, “Outline of the Law on Child Support – Part 1,” Illinois Family Law – Report 2, 1987
- Co-Author, “Rehabilitative Maintenance in Illinois,” Illinois Bar Journal, 1987
- “Should Illinois Allow a Noncustodial Parent to Recover Damages from the Custodial Parent for Tortious Interference with Visitation Rights?,” Illinois Journal of Family Law, 1985
- “Case Comment: In re Marriage of Erickson – When Termination of Maintenance Becomes Effective Under IMDMA Section 510(b),” Illinois Journal of Family Law, 1985
- Co-Author, “Confusion in the Wake of Leopando,” Illinois Journal of Family Law, 1985
- Co-Author, “Injunction Practice in Matrimonial Cases,” Illinois Journal of Family Law, 1984
- Co-Author, “Grounds for the Dismissal of an Appeal,” Appellate Practice Handbook published by the Appellate Lawyers Association, 1981 and 1982 editions
- Chicago Bar Association
- “Family Law Initial Client Intakes and Ethical Considerations in Family Law,” with Deane B. Brown, November 2, 2011
- “Appellate Relief from Temporary Restraining Orders and Injunctions, Chancery and Special Remedies,” January 1996 and January 1997
- “New Case Report, Matrimonial Law Seminar, October 1993
- “The Interstate of International Child Custody or Visitation Dispute,” Child Custody Litigation Seminar, November 1988 (Co-Chairman of Program)
- Moderator, Lecturer and Planning Chairman, Family Law Seminar, January 1988
- “Dischargeability of Attorneys Fees in Bankruptcy,” 1987
- “The Right of the Homemaker or Lower-Earning Spouse to a Substantial Award of Matrimonial Property,” 1984
- “Review of Appellate Practice,” 1983
- Illinois State Bar Association
- “Hot Tips for Avoiding Malpractice When Perfecting Appeals in Marriage Dissolution cases,” Family Law Update, June 1996
- “Privilege: Its Uses and Abuses,” Family Law Update, November 1995
- “Family Law,” Lawyering Skills Seminar, 1986, 1987 and 1989
- Other Lectures
- “Injunction Practice in Dissolution of Marriage Cases,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2003
- “Effective Family Law Practice in Illinois (Property/Maintenance/Child Support/Appeals),” seminar sponsored by the National Business Institute, June 1993
- “Effective Opening Statement,” American Bar Association Section of Family Law Spring Meeting, April 1993
- “The Pendulum Swings – Changes in Maintenance Awards,” Child Support and Maintenance Seminar sponsored by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1990
- “Disabled Parties and Children – Rights and Protection,” Illinois Family Law Seminar sponsored by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, September 1989 (Chicago) and October 1989 (Springfield)
- “Evidentiary Problems and Considerations at Sexual Abuse Trials in Illinois,” Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, March 1989
- “Update on Supreme Court Rules,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1986
- “Family Law Practice: Advanced Course of Appeals,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1986
- “Matrimonial Appeals,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers,” 1984
- “Perfection of an Appeal,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1984, 1985, and 1988
- “Child Custody: Statutes, Standards and Jurisdiction,” Pro Bono Advocates Conference on Family Law, 1984