Rachel Nicole Hernandez

Rachel Hernandez dedicates herself to promoting "support, not court" and empowering families to resolve conflict in order to achieve the best possible outcomes through education, support and and engaging other qualified professionals for a comprehensive approach to ensure well-informed decisions and emotional support for clients and their families.

Having had a start in a not-for-profit serving children and families in Kane County, and driven by a passion for helping others, Rachel was led to earn her J.D. as a Dean’s Scholar from Northern Illinois University’s College of Law. She applies the experience gleaned as an Assistant State’s Attorney handling child abuse, neglect, delinquency, domestic violence and other criminal matters to her work in the family court. 

Rachel's advanced training and experience in the area of interdisciplinary collaborative dispute resolution including the Harvard Program on Negotiation are highly valued, as she assists litigants in resolving parenting disputes as appointed by the Court as a Guardian ad Litem and Parenting Coordinator. 

Rachel has served as an author, presenter and trainer for the Kane County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Collaborative Divorce Illinois, and various mediation and collaborative practice groups both locally and internationally. Rachel also serves as a coach at Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies Divorce Mediation Certificate Program.

Rachel is an esteemed member of professional organizations including the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Collaborative Divorce Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association. Additionally, she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Kane County Family Law Committee, Chair of the Illinois State Bar Solo Small Firm Committee and President of the NIU Alumni Council.