Michael C. Doyen is a skilled litigator with over twenty-five (25) years of experience trying civil and criminal cases. He has tried over forty (40) jury trials to verdict and has tried hundreds of non-jury cases. Mr. Doyen has concentrated his practice in the area of family law for over twenty (20) years.
Mr. Doyen was born in Springfield, Missouri and was raised in the St. Louis area. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1983, where he also received a Regular Army Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he sought a deferral of active duty military service to attend law school at St. Louis University School of Law. Mr. Doyen graduated from law school cum laude in 1986 and entered into active military duty in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Mr. Doyen attained the rank of Captain and served as Chief of Military Justice. In addition to his duties prosecuting military personnel by Courts-Martial, he also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Northern Division, prosecuting cases in the United States District Court. In 1990 Mr. Doyen returned to his wife's hometown of Elgin, Illinois and entered into private practice with his Father-in-Law, Robert A. Chapski where he from 1990 until 2015. In 2016, as his daughter Kathleen and son Christopher reached the age at which time Mr. Doyen returned to Illinois, the family founded The Doyen Law Group, LLC.
Mr. Doyen has established himself as one of the top family law attorneys in Kane County, Illinois. From 1995 through 2001 Mr. Doyen was responsible for planning all Family Law Continuing Legal Education Seminars for the Kane County Bar Association. He was Chair of the Kane County Bar Association Family Law Committee form 1999 through 2001. In 2001 he joined the Board of the Kane County Bar Association as a Director, served as Secretary/Treasurer in 2001-2003, Vice-President from 2003 through 2005, and as President from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Doyen became President of the Kane County Bar Foundation on July 1, 2006 and served until June 30, 2014. He was the recipient of the Kane County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Award for 2002 and has provided a minimum of fifty (50) hours of pro bono service per year for the past twenty (20) years. Mr. Doyen was recognized as an "Illinois Super Lawyer" in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
While Mr. Doyen has extensive trial experience, the majority of the cases he handles are resolved by settlement. He appreciates that most clients want their cases resolved amicably and efficiently. His experience with the full range of family law issues enables him to navigate complex cases towards the resolution most favorable to his clients. These results are usually achieved by settlement, but when necessary he is prepared to zealously present his clients' cases at trial.
Mr. Doyen is available for consultation during regular business hours, but will also schedule appointments for evenings and Saturdays to accommodate his clients.
Litigation Percentage
92% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Classes/Seminars
Family Law Seminar Chairperson, Kane County Bar Association, 1995 - 2001
Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues Affecting Divorce, IICLE and the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Frequent presenter at Kane County Bar Association Family Law Seminars, 1992 - Present
Honors and Awards
2002 Kane County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Award
Selected to Illinois Super Lawyers - Thomson Reuters, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Professional Associations and Memberships
Kane County Bar Association, Past President
Kane County Bar Foundation, President , 2006 - Present
Illinois State Bar Association, Member
Past Employment Positions
U.S. Army, Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps, 1986 - 1990
Pro Bono Activities
Kane County Bar Foundation, President, 2006 - Present
Prairie State Legal Services, Volunteer Attorney, 1990 - Present
Administer Justice Volunteer Attorney, 2000 - Present
