About Michelle R.
Michelle R. Eggert built a legal foundation at two Midwestern schools before stepping into Illinois courtrooms. She earned a B.S. in 1991 from the University of Michigan Law School, studying The Law and Psychology of Abnormal Social Behavior. She then completed her J.D. at DePaul College of Law in 1994. Those years of study shaped how she approaches factual complexity and client interaction.
After law school Eggert established herself in Illinois practice. She is admitted to practice in Illinois and in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois. Her résumé lists work at Vonachen, Lawless, Trager & Slevin, where she handled matters that required appearances in state and federal trial settings. Courtroom work and written advocacy have been regular parts of her practice.
Eggert also holds a certification from the Illinois Supreme Court as a Qualified Guardian Ad Litem. That credential permits appointment by judges to represent the interests of children or other parties who need an independent advocate in legal proceedings. The role requires care in assessing evidence, clear reporting to the court, and an ability to explain sensitive facts in neutral terms. It is a distinct responsibility within civil and family proceedings.
Colleagues describe her approach as methodical. She breaks down complex records into discrete issues. She prepares witnesses and scaffolded arguments for hearings. She has managed litigation that moves between the state trial courts and federal district courts, following procedural deadlines and local rules in each forum. Her practice has involved case preparation, motion practice, and work that culminates in court appearances.
Eggert’s background in legal psychology informs how she evaluates testimony and manages interviews with vulnerable parties. That perspective is particularly relevant when she serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem. It also shapes how she frames disputes in pleadings and in court reports.
She continues to practice in Illinois and in the federal district courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois. Her current work includes courtroom-based litigation and service as a qualified guardian ad litem appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
