In Re Marriage of Zells

This case concerns the division and distribution of marital property between a lawyer and his spouse. There are two issues. The first is whether a lawyer’s contingent fee contracts are subject to valuation, division and distribution as part of the marital estate. The second issue is whether professional goodwill is a marital asset and subject to division or distribution. Our conclusion is that neither contingent fee contracts nor professional goodwill is subject to valuation, division or distribution as marital assets.

The circuit court of Cook County determined that contingent fee contracts…