Anna P. Krolikowska

What sets Anna Krolikowska apart from her fellow attorneys? Krolikowska’s peers say that this family law attorney is a passionate advocate for her clients, a devoted student of the law, a willing mentor and a leader in the Illinois bar.

It helps, too, that Krolikowska routinely earns top results for her long list of devoted clients.

As nominator Emily Masalski of Chicago’s Hunter Masalski says, Krolikowska focuses first on the health of the families she represents. This has helped Krolikowska build a thriving career in what is often an extremely contentious field of law.

“Anna is proudest of the cases where the client and the ex-spouse establish and maintain a good co-parenting relationship,” Masalski said.

Krolikowska is also dedicated to her profession. Masalski said that Krolikowska has inspired others to join bar associations, launch law firms and work on being healthy lawyers through her strong support of the work of the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program. Krolikowska also takes the time to mentor younger attorneys.

“The ideals of this honor are indeed those exemplified by Anna as she has balanced her professional efforts between supervising junior attorneys, attending regular appearances, arguing contested hearings at multiple court calls, serving as a zealous advocate for her clients and promoting a stronger Illinois bar,” Masalski said.

Krolikowska, despite the many roles she juggles, also finds time to serve as managing partner of K&R Family Legal Services, the successful law firm she founded. And if that wasn’t enough responsibility, Krolikowska is also a trained mediator and collaborative practitioner.

“Anna has a quiet ambition,” said Julie Johnson with Chicago’s Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa. “Not for personal gain, but to serve the legal community. It was as if she was instantly a member of professional leadership right out of law school.”

As a measure of the respect Krolikowska has in the legal community, she earned election as third vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the age of 37. She will serve as president of the ISBA the year she turns 40. Johnson said that Krolikowska earned this honor by working tirelessly for her profession, first for the ISBA Young Lawyers Division and then for the statewide membership in general.

“Anna has a gift of being able to bring people together to make a positive difference and has a sincere desire to do all she can to help Illinois lawyers be the best they can be through her involvement with these organizations,” said Michele Jochner with Chicago’s Schiller DuCanto & Fleck. “In addition, she has made strides to break the proverbial ‘glass ceiling’ by serving in positions that have largely been held by men in the past.”