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JOE GITLIN, WOODSTOCK FAMILY LAW LAWYER |
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For how long have you been practicing family law in Woodstock? |
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Why did you choose family law? |
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You are married and have a family? |
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And your involvement in community affairs? |
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Of what are you most proud? |
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| Q: |
For how long have you been practicing family law in Woodstock?
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| A: |
Virtually straight out of law school, in 1959. My start was in a general practice with Bill Carroll, Jr. and Bob Leali, and then with Jim Hecht, each for about five years. As time went on, I narrowed my practice to family law. Since about 1985, my practice and that of my firm, has been exclusively family law. |
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| Q: |
Why did you choose family law? |
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With my parents being missionaries I was inclined to a service profession. Through college, the army and law school I did various types of social work, including camp director, settlement house group work, gang-street work and community organization in Chicago , and psychiatric social work in the Army. I felt that this background best qualified me to do family law. |
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| Q: |
You are married and have a family? |
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Val and I were married in 1954. Our children, Laura and Gunnar, were raised in Woodstock and went to Woodstock public schools. Both children are lawyers practicing family law. Laura practices in Los Angeles . Gunnar, until recently, practiced with me, and now has his independent family law practice, also in Woodstock . We have two grandchildren in Los Angeles and one in Woodstock.
Val has been involved in community activities, mostly with the Woodstock Opera House. She was President of the Woodstock Fine Arts Association, has been Chair of its Creative Living Series (third Thursday) programs for about 25 years. Val is Past Chair of the Regional Board of School Trustees and has served as an elected member for about the past 25 years. She also recently co-chaired a fundraising event for the Woodstock Opera House Annex which brought in about $250,000. |
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| Q: |
And your involvement in community affairs? |
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In the 60's I served as President of the Mental Health Center for McHenry County and founded the Community Family Service Agency, which merged with the Mental Health Center . I was appointed to the Woodstock High School Board of Education to fill a vacancy, and later I also filled a vacancy on the Woodstock City Council by appointment. In 1973 I was elected Woodstock Mayor, served for one term and did not seek re-election. I also served as a national delegate to the 1980 Republican Convention, as a John Anderson delegate. |
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| Q: |
Of what are you most proud? |
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First, the accomplishments of my family. The next is probably my book, Gitlin on Divorce: A Guide to Illinois Matrimonial Law . It has become the definitive work on Illinois law on which both judges and lawyers rely. |
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