Ray Koenig represents individuals, families, financial and medical institutions, charities and governmental agencies in probate, trust, and guardianship controversies, including complex matters which require practical solutions.
Education
Recognitions
Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC); previous member of the ACTEC Fiduciary Litigation Committee
Recognized by Super Lawyers magazine one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Illinois in 2018, 2019 and 2020
Named Illinois Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters (2010-2024)
Received an “AV” Preeminent Rating by his peers through Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating
Named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estates by Best Lawyers (2018-2025)
Named a Leading Lawyer in Chicago by Leading Lawyers℠ (2012-2024)
Selected from over 1,350 nominations as one of the 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch in 2013 by the publisher of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer
Recognized by Crain’s Business as a Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law
Recognized by Crain’s Business as a Notable Gen X Leader in Law
Recognized by Crain’s Business as a Notable LGBTQ Executive
Memberships
Chicago Bar Association, President, 2023-2024, First Vice President, 2022-2023; Second Vice President, 2021–2022; Secretary, 2019–2021; Board of Managers 2012–2014; Founding Chair of the Leadership Development Committee; Inaugural Chair of the Leadership Institute, 2016–2019; and Founding Co-Chair of the Family Office Committee, 2024-present
City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Commissioner, 2012-Present
Illinois State Employee Retirement Systems (SERS), Trustee, 2022-present
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, Trustee, 2024-present
Special Advisory Council for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Initiative to Eliminate Bullying in the Legal Profession, Member, 2023- 2024
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Board of Directors
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow; and member of the Illinois State Membership Committee
LAGBAC Foundation Board, Member
The Economic Club of Chicago, Member
Chicago Estate Planning Council
DePaul University College of Law Diversity Council, Co-Chair
University of Illinois-Chicago Law School, Past Adjunct Professor
Illinois State Bar Association, Past Chair of the Trusts & Estates Section Council & Past Chair of the Section Legislation Committee; Past Member of the Task Force on Unauthorized Practice of Law; Past Member of the Special Committee on Nonlawyer Legal Service Providers
American Bar Association, Past Committee Vice-Chair within the Section on Probate (RPPT)
LAGBAC: Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association
Congressman Mike Quigley’s LGBT Advisory Council, past member
Equality Illinois PAC, Past Board Member and Treasurer
Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Past Chair and past Internal Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Pride Action Tank Advisory Council
Lambda Legal Education and Defense Fund, Co-Chair of National Legacy and Planned Giving Council
Chicago Bar Foundation, Past Board of Directors
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, Past Board of Directors, Junior Board Founding Vice President and Past President
Cook County State’s Attorney LBGT Advisory Council, Former Chair
Clark Hill PLC Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Clark Hill PLC PRIDE Committee Co-Chair
Clark Hill Federal PAC
State Bar Licenses
Court Admissions
- “How I Get Personal with Pro Bono” The Chicago Bar Association President’s page by Ray J. Koenig III Sebtember 2023
- Co-Author, Guardianship Litigation chapter in IICLE’s 2023, 2020, 2016, 2012 and 2009 Handbook: Litigating Disputed Estates, Trusts, Guardianships, and Charitable Bequests
- “A Focus on Inclusion,” The Chicago Bar Association President’s page by Ray J. Koenig III July 2023
- Meet CBA President Ray J. Koenig III by Ann Glynn July 2023
- Quoted, “Is Change Coming?” Chicago Lawyer Magazine, 2021
- Co-Author, Causes of Action: Probate Actions, 2021 Edition, IICLE
- Co-Author, “Effectively Employing the Tools Provided by a Decedent,” Fiduciary & Investment Risk Management Association’s publication FIRMA FORUM, December 2018
- Co-Author, Claims Against Decedent’s Estate chapter in IICLE’s 2017 Handbook: Causes of Action, Probate Actions
- Ray Koenig Interviewed in Chicago Lawyer – December 2016
- “A Fierce Advocate for LGBT Rights,” Leading Lawyers Magazine – Consumer Edition for 2016
- Co-Author, Advice on Creating Advanced Directives and a Living Will, Expert Beacon, 2014
- Co-Author, Defending Your Principals: Suing Agents Under the Revised Illinois Power of Attorney Act, Illinois State Bar Journal, October 2012
- Author, Proactive Measures and Key Concerns for the Trust and Probate Attorney chapter, Inside the Minds: Trust and Probate Litigation book, Aspatore Publishing, 2010
- Couples Planning and the New Civil Liberties Act By Ray Koenig & MacKenzie Hyde in Windy City Times
- Co-Author, Equal Protections, Equal Responsibilities: The Impact of HB 1826 on Probate in Illinois, Chicago Bar Association Record, September 2009
- “When the Fireman Meets the Architect: Spotting Red Flags When Preparing an Estate Plan,” Presenter, 43rd Annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium, April 25, 2024
- “Ethics at O’Hare… or Cabo: Following the Rules While on the Road,” Moderator and Co-Presenter, CBA, March 2024
- “Turning Red Flags Green: Views on How to Spot and Address Potential Estate Planning Issues to Avoid Future Contests,” Moderator and Co-Presenter, CBA, February 2024
- “Estate Planning in Adult Guardianships,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 19th Annual Elder Law Short Course, October 2023
- “The Mistakes Our Decedents Make: Dealing With Complex Probate and Trust Assets,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 65th Annual Estate Planning Short Course, May 22, 2023
- “Preparing for a Guardianship Trial: Pre-Trial Discovery,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 18th Annual Elder Law Short Course, November 8, 2022
- “Misplaced Trust: Court Intervention to Remedy Power of Attorney Misconduct,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 64th Annual Estate Planning Short Course, May 24, 2022
- “Who decides? Tips and Strategies for Successfully Navigating Guardianship & Power of Attorney Disputes,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 17th Annual Elder Law Short Course, October 2021
- “Know Your Tool Kit: How Planners Can Address Select Guardianship and Public Benefits Concerns,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 64th Annual Estate Planning Short Course, May 24-25, 2021
- “Perspective of the Corporate Fiduciary: The Role of the Bank,” Co-Presenter, IICLE Elder Law Short Course, October 2020
- “Do As I Say, Not As I Write: Perspectives on Drafting, Administration, and Beyond,” Co-Presenter, IICLE 63rd Annual Estate Planning Short Course, May 2020, and Chicago Estate Planning Council, January 2020