Attorney Profile

For nearly 40 years, Jeannette C. Zissis has devoted her career to helping individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult transitions with compassion, understanding, and unwavering dedication. Her clients describe her as both a strong advocate and a steady source of reassurance—someone who listens deeply, explains clearly, and fights tirelessly for fair and lasting resolutions.

Jeannette C. Zissis is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in French, earning her BA with college honors in 1984. Ms. Zissis studied psychology in a number of advanced courses as part of her Criminal Justice curriculum. She received her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University in 1987, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987.

After several years as an associate at a boutique general practice firm in downtown Chicago, Ms. Zissis established her own practice, Jeannette C. Zissis, Attorney at Law, and has concentrated her practice in the area of family law. Ms. Zissis' client base is almost exclusively from referral by current or former clients.

Ms. Zissis is extensively trained in alternative dispute resolution, and she attends multiple continuing education workshops, seminars, and training sessions annually, in family law, domestic violence, trauma, psychology, mental health, mediation, collaborative law and other areas. Ms. Zissis has substantial experience as a mediator, having become certified in mediation by the Center for Conflict Resolution ("CCR") in Chicago. Thereafter, she participated in CCR's mentorship program, which provided individualized advanced mediation training. Ms. Zissis currently mediates cases for CCR as a volunteer, and provides private mediation services to clients.

Ms. Zissis' study of the psychological and emotional effects of divorce on adults and children has generated her commitment to assisting every client in resolving the changing family dynamic in the least damaging manner possible. Ms. Zissis is dedicated to providing each client with skilled representation, emotional support, and common-sense solutions in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

Beyond the courtroom, Ms. Zissis' empathy extends to all living beings. A lifelong animal lover and advocate, she supports animal welfare non-profit agencies, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which has paired her with local animal rescue organizations for whom she provides pro bono legal services.  She serves as a regular volunteer mediator with the Center for Conflict Resolution, focusing on family and child mediation. Her compassionate nature and commitment to doing what’s right are the same qualities she brings to every client relationship—guiding them with heart, integrity, and respect.