ABOUT
Helping families restructure with compassion and amicable resolutions
Patrick Kalscheur
PROFESSIONALLY —
Patrick Kalscheur worked for many years in large and midsized law firms before leaving to open Kalscheur Conscious Family Law in 2017. Patrick saw the need for families undergoing divorce to feel more supported, to help them restore peace, and to guide them to amicable outcomes they can feel good about many years later.
Patrick brings a holistic facilitative approach to hold space for individuals and families to navigate some of the most challenging conversations they will ever have. He uses his extensive experience to help individuals reframe difficult situations into opportunities for values driven resolutions. In his mediations and the collaborative process, Patrick works with aligned professionals to ensure each person has the information they need to make a fully informed decision.
Moreover, when children are involved, Patrick knows they often are a client’s most important topic. In these circumstances, Patrick works with his clients to ensure their children’s needs and interests are always being acknowledged and considered. He also encourages parents to work with mental health co-parenting professionals to assist them with effective co-parenting communication.
Patrick has trained with some of the best mediators, collaborative professionals, and attorneys in the world through the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (“IACP”), the Mosten Guthrie Academy, and Collaborative Divorce Illinois (“CDI”). He has also leads presentations at these organizations as well as the Chicago Bar Association. Patrick has been a leader in the Collaborative Law community for many years. Locally he served on the board of directors for CDI from 2015-2018, and he currently leads the CDI Chicago Loop practice group. He is also actively involved in IACP where he currently serves on the Membership Committee.
Patrick received his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law, where he received many distinctions, including graduating Order of the Coif and Summa Cum Laude. Patrick has been recognized repeatedly by Illinois Super Lawyers in the area of family law, a peer selected honor reserved for only the top 5% of attorneys in the state.
When Patrick created Kalscheur Conscious Family Law, he created a law firm dedicated to making the world a better, more peaceful place, one family at a time. This includes finding balance in all phases of the practice of law and of life. He enjoys helping other divorce professionals create similar practices for themselves. You can read more about Patrick’s practice development journey here: mostenguthrie.com/authentic-empowerment-as-a-means-to-practice-building/.
PERSONALLY —
The father of two boys, I enjoy bike riding and taking trips to beautiful places with my family. My wife, Anviksha, is a marriage and family therapist and the owner of Introspective Family Therapy. We enjoy collaborating and helping families in a holistic and conscious manner. We work with families in all stages of development, and I also offer conscious coaching services to clients at Introspective Family Therapy. To learn more, visit: introspectivefamilytherapy.com/services
Sarah Whitt
PROFESSIONALLY —
Sarah Whitt worked for decades as a paralegal in small to large law firms before connecting with her purpose as a peacemaker in 2022. In mediation, Sarah saw an opportunity to help people transform pain and move forward peacefully - with durable agreements and a sense of hope, having faced the hard conversations and emerged upright.
Sarah brings a holistic, facilitative approach to the mediation process. She uses her extensive experience to help people self-regulate, communicate from their core values, and create durable agreements they feel good about. Sarah works with aligned professionals to ensure each person has the information they need to make fully informed decisions.
As a co-parent herself, Sarah knows firsthand how family restructuring can de-stabilize people of all ages - and how mediation offers an opportunity for clients to lead with resilience. When children are living at home, Sarah helps parents make plans that create security and stability in both homes. She often encourages parents to work with mental health and other professionals to assist them with the emotional toll of divorce and with effective co-parenting communication.
Sarah has trained with experts across the continent, including Forrest “Woody” Mosten, Collaborative Divorce Illinois (“CDI”), the Academy of Professional Family Mediators (“APFM”), Insight Mediation Training with The Curious Mediator, Divorce and Marital Mediation Training and Supervised Practicum with the Center for Mediation & Training, Elder Care Mediation Training with Elder Decisions, and Small Claims, Special Education, and Restorative Justice Training with the New York Peace Institute.
Sarah continues to regularly mediate disputes of all types for the New York Peace Institute as well as court-ordered high-conflict co-parenting cases for the Families in Transition Program of the Children’s LAW Center. She also works with children and families in the local DCFS system, participating in court processes in her role as a CASA of Cook County.
Sarah earned her Bachelors of Art from Bryn Mawr College, where she studied art and social justice, graduating with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. When Sarah began her peacemaking career, she saw an exciting application of her liberal arts degree in a professional world. Like writers, poets, and artists, peacemakers are dreamers - with curious work that has a practical end: to greet the horrible and emerge with hope.
PERSONALLY —
The mother of a first grader, I enjoy occasional playdates, camping, the lake, and traveling across the country to visit family and friends. My daughter and I also like to make forts, art, and have discussions about who is actually the boss (of her).