Bryan J. Wilson

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Bryan J. Wilson concentrates his practice in the area of family law with extensive experience involving divorce, complex financial matters, child custody and domestic violence. These areas are often complex and can be very emotional for the parties involved.

“I have two children in grade school (a girl and a boy). My parents are divorced. I have lived it. I come from a blended family with stepsiblings and a half-brother and have seen the best and worst of divorce.”

Bryan’s clients appreciate his level-headed and personal approach to resolving their most personal matters in a cost-effective manner. His goal is to educate and help families through the process by providing information to make informed and educated decisions about their options concerning their divorce and related issues.

While he aims to keep families out of court, Bryan is a knowledgeable litigator with extensive trial experience that is employed when disputes cannot be resolved by other means. As such, he effectively, and when necessary, aggressively, navigates the court system to achieve the most desirable results for clients.

Education

Bryan graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2008 and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

Employment

Prior to founding Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C., Bryan worked as an attorney at two prominent family law firms in Chicago. Bryan also worked as an attorney for Andrea M. Schleifer, who is now serving as a Cook County Judge.

Awards

Beginning in 2018, Bryan has been selected annually by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of family law.

Bryan has been recognized by his peers and named a Rising Star attorney by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine since 2012, a designation limited to less than 2.5% of lawyers under 40 years of age in the state of Illinois.

Bryan has also been recognized as an Emerging Lawyer by Law Bulletin Publishing Company. Emerging Lawyers are individuals that are recognized among the top up-and-coming attorneys in Illinois who are 40 years old or younger.

In 2020, Bryan was selected by Chicago Lawyer as a 40 Under Forty recipient. Chicago Lawyer selects honorees who exhibit exemplary dedication, character and skill in their practice. More than 1,500 attorneys across Illinois vied for inclusion in this coveted list.

Professional Associations

Bryan served two terms as an elected member of the Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association. The Assembly is the supreme policy making body of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Bryan is an appointed member of the Illinois State Bar Association Legislation Committee. The Legislation Committee serves members by monitoring legislation introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Legislation affecting the profession and the administration of justice is referred to interested sections and committees for their comments. Based on this review, the ISBA may support, oppose or suggest amendatory language to legislation. The ISBA also proposes legislation for introduction that has been suggested by its sections or committees and monitors federal legislation.

Bryan served as a board member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division from 2008 to 2018. Within the Young Lawyers Division, he served on the Children’s Assistance Fund Grant Subcommittee, which seeks to provide grants to organizations across the state related to children and law. Bryan also assisted in the organization and running of annual fundraising events related to the Children’s Assistance Fund. Bryan was previously the chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Law Student Committee.

Bryan is one of the founding members of the Associate Board of the Legal Aid Society (2010 – 2014), which operates as the legal arm of Metropolitan Family Services. Bryan previously served as the chair of the Pro-Bono Committee. With the assistance of another board member, Bryan implemented a Family Law Mentoring Panel to assist pro-bono attorneys when volunteering their time. Bryan teaches the Simple Divorce Training to pro-bono attorneys with the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services.

Community Involvement

Bryan is actively involved in his children’s elementary school. He regularly volunteers his time and resources to help teachers and students meet their educational needs. Additionally, Kogut & Wilson, L.L.C. is a regular sponsor of school events to provide financial support to the school and community.

Bryan served as an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School where he co-taught a course titled “Family Law Advocacy,” which teaches students to effectively and compassionately assist survivors of domestic violence in a divorce or paternity action.

In 2011, Bryan volunteered at the Cook County Domestic Violence Court Project to assist victims of domestic violence in obtaining orders of protection.

Bryan also is actively involved with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services where he represents children as a Child Representative on a pro bono basis.