Former Woodstock Mayor Joe Gitlin, RIP

Former Woodstock Mayor Joe Gitlin died Friday.

He served one term after Mayor Frances Kuhn.

Gitlin was one of my divorce attorneys and known statewide for his constant research.

He had an extensive collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia, which he displayed in his office across from the Opera House/

The law firm he founded provides the following information.

H. Joseph Gitlin retired from the practice of matrimonial law in 2016.  In retirement, he remains active in writing on the law and other issues.

Known as Joe Gitlin, he was listed every year in Best Lawyers in America since 1983.

The National Law Journal named Joe one of the nation’s top 43 matrimonial lawyers. Joe is an original member of the Dirty Thirty. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Joe Gitlin has been on the cutting edge of family law, chairing the American Bar Association’s Surrogacy Committee during the time of the famous “Baby M” case, and founding and chairing the ABA Laws of Reproduction & Genetics Committee.

Joe Gitlin appeared on national and local television and radio shows, and is frequently quoted in the media. He founded the Illinois State Bar Association Task Force on Genetics and Human Reproduction.

His public service includes the following:

  • Former Public Defender, McHenry County
  • Former Member, Woodstock High School Board of Education
  • Delegate to Presidential Convention, 1980
  • Mayor, Woodstock, Illinois, 1973-1977

Comments

Former Woodstock Mayor Joe Gitlin, RIP — 1 Comment

  1. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.

    His infamous vanity license plate with the 6 letters ‘GOD LAW’ lead many to think he was a lawyer with a very high opinion of himself.

    GOD was actually the acronym for ‘Gitlin On Divorce” (the title of his book)

    Rest in Peace.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *