Mark R. Farrow

Print Profile

Attorney at Law

If you have been reviewing attorney websites, you may have noticed that many attorney biographies are written for search engine optimization, either by people who do not actually know the attorney or by AI. As with my practice of law, I prefer a more personal approach.

I have been practicing law for 36 years, 34 of which I have worked as an active litigator who settles the vast majority of his cases prior to trial. For the first ten years of my profession, I did trial work in state and federal courts in civil cases while also maintaining a family law practice. In 2002, I decided to concentrate my practice in family law and joined John Fay. Since that time, I have successfully litigated cases involving high net worth individuals, doctors, lawyers and other professionals as well as closely held business owners against some of the most distinguished lawyers in the State of Illinois.

In addition to having extensive trial and negotiation experience in complex financial divorce cases, I have also successfully tried many cases involving parenting time, parental decision making and parental alienation. I have successfully represented clients in appeals in the First and Third Appellate Districts, including the restoration of a parent’s rights in what one of our esteemed Appellate Court Justices described as the worst parental alienation case she had ever seen in her career as a judge. Of course, trials should be rare and most of the time are unnecessary. However, when the toughest cases cannot be settled, an experienced trial attorney is crucial to the success of your case.

I have raised a stepdaughter and biological daughter and personally understand the uncertainties and emotions of going through the divorce process. I have been there myself and can guide you through it.

With respect to my colleagues, John Fay is like a big brother to me. Our firm has been very selective in bringing on lawyers, staff and paralegals to our team. Rebecca Krawczykowski’s time in the firm predates mine when she was a college student working as a staff member in the office. Now she is a knowledgeable, tenacious and well-respected lawyer with over 14 years in practice.

Jessica Dudasik also has over 14 years of experience as an attorney, having joined us after practicing family law primarily in Will County. Jessica and I work hand in hand on our more complex cases. She has a great affinity for numbers and her life experience also brings a lot to the table.

Don Phelan joined us in 2008 and is now the senior practitioner in the firm with over 45 years of experience.

Shawn Monroe is our most recent addition and his diverse background in litigation and family law for over 14 years makes Fay & Farrow a well-rounded team with over 170 years of combined practice experience.

I am proud and humbled to be a family lawyer and to be a part of this team. At Fay & Farrow we are different, and I know we can help you.

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1990

Education

• University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois
  • Juris Doctor - 1989
  • Honors: University of Illinois National Moot Court Team
  • Honors: Rickert Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
  • B.A.
  • Honors: summa cum laude
  • Honors: Northern Illinois University Orville Baker Award for Excellence in Writing
  • NIU Student Association: Senator, Supreme Court Justice

Pro-Bono Service Awards

• DuPage County Bar Association Legal Assistance Foundation: 2002, 2007, 2015, 2025

Past Positions

• 4th District Appellate Court Justice Carl A. Lund (Retired), Law Clerk, 1989 to 1991

Professional Associations

• Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Vice Justice, 1987 to 1988
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member, 1990-Present
• DuPage County Bar Association, Member, 1991-Present
• DuPage County Bar Association, Judiciary Committee, 2016-2018
• Pheasant Glen Homeowners Association, President, 2001-2023
• Will County Bar Association, Member, 1991-Present

Current Employment Position

• Partner, 2004-Present