About Us
Michael Ian Bender
Michael Ian Bender is a co-founding partner of Caesar & Bender, LLP and a former Domestic Relations Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Before returning to private practice, Michael presided over thousands of family law cases, experience he now brings to complex matters involving high-net-worth divorce, custody/parentage disputes, orders of protection, injunctions, prenuptial agreements, parenting time, maintenance, child support, and companion animal (pet) ownership/responsibility.
A lifelong advocate for children, Judge Bender authored “Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time,” sharing what he learned as a Domestic Relations Judge with parents, attorneys representing children, and jurists, regarding minimizing trauma to children during divorce and child custody disputes.
Education
- J.D., Cum Laude, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law; Law Review Editorial Board; Class Representative.
- LL.M., with Honors, Information Technology and Privacy Law, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Public Service
- President, Illinois Judges Foundation; Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County (Domestic Relations Division), Illinois; Public Administrator of Cook County, Illinois; Assistant Corporation Counsel, Village of Skokie, Illinois; Administrative Assistant, Board of Commissioner, Cook County, Illinois; Judicial Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court (First District).
- Founding Board Member Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; Founding Board Member North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts; Elected Commissioner and President, Skokie Park District.
Awards & Recognition (selected)
- Multiple Years: Litigator of the Year; Best Lawyers in America; Lawyers of Distinction; Lawyer of the Year; Leading Lawyers.
- Child Abuse Prevention Interviews: ABC 7 Chicago, Fox 32, Chicago Tribune, and others.
Publications
- Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time.
Dedicated to Complex Family Law Situations
Nearly 50 Years Combined Family Law Experience
Molly E. Caesar
Molly E. Caesar is a co-founding partner of Caesar & Bender, LLP and a Chicago family-law attorney focusing on divorce, custody/parentage, child support, maintenance, prenuptial agreements, domestic violence, and assisted reproduction/embryo matters. She has litigated at the trial, appellate, and Illinois Supreme Court levels and maintains additional training as a certified mediator.
Known for clear guidance and steady advocacy, Molly blends courtroom experience with pragmatic negotiation to help clients navigate high-stakes family disputes. Her practice emphasizes tailored strategy, thorough preparation, and child-centered solutions.
Leadership & Teaching
- Adjunct Professor, DePaul University College of Law; member of the school’s Family Law Advisory Board; frequent CLE presenter.
- North Suburban Bar Association (NSBA): President (2016–2017); First Vice President (2015–2016); organizer of multiple CLE programs and author of family-law articles.
Education
- DePaul University College of Law, J.D.
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- Honors: Order of the Coif National Honor Society, Member
Bar Admissions
- Illinois (state courts); admitted in Illinois since 2010.
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude
- Honors: Order of the Coif National Honor Society, Member
Awards & Recognition
- Super Lawyers (2025–2026) — Recognized among the top 5% of attorneys in Illinois for excellence in family law.
- Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (2018–2024) — An honor awarded to no more than than 2.5% of Illinois attorneys receive this recognition.
Highly Skilled Family Law Advocates Who Truly Care
Bespoke strategy for every client, every family, every case