Erin N. Birt

Divorce Mediator & Restorative Divorce® Attorney

Parents come to Erin before court to stay out of court.

As a former litigator and Guardian ad Litem, Erin Birt understands how court decisions are made, what to avoid, and where the process breaks down for families. With more than 20 years of experience, she has developed structured approaches that help parents make decisions, reach agreements, and move forward in weeks instead of months.

At Birt Family Law, parents are supported in two ways. Some begin individually, seeking clear answers and legal guidance. Others move forward together through mediation, using a structured process to reach resolution efficiently. Both approaches are designed to create immediate progress while avoiding the delays of the court system.

This work is supported by practical tools that bring clarity at every stage, including The Kitchen Table Divorce®, the 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook, and the Rudy & Ali children's book series.

Erin also provides continuing education and professional guidance through Ask Erin Consulting, supporting mediators, mental health professionals, and family-focused professionals.

Available in person in Wheaton and virtually across Illinois.

Quick Links

• - Skills & Experience
• - Practice Philosophy
• - Values
• - Education & Training
• - Memberships 
• - Community Work

Skills and Experience

Since 2003, Erin Birt has focused her practice of mediation and legal services in the areas of parent separation, child centered divorce, and parenting matters.

In 2010, Ms. Birt opened The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C. (known as Birt Family Law) to provide her clients a variety of alternative dispute resolution and divorce options. Prior to starting the firm, she was employed by several prominent family law firms including Fortunato, Farrell, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd. and Roberts and Associates, P.C. She clerked at Mayer, Brown & Platt, n/k/a Mayer Brown, Earl L. Neal and Associates, LLC, n/k/a Neal & Leroy, LLC, and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Ms. Birt is also a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor. Her clinical addiction counseling experience includes DUI risk education and counseling at The Family Connection and inpatient addiction counseling at Adventist Glen Oaks Hospital. Erin now uses her addiction counseling skills and experience to help separating parents, families, and teens effected by drugs or alcohol.

Erin has been a presenter and trainer for the DuPage County Bar Association, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Mediation Council of Illinois, and various mediation, counseling, or collaborative practice groups within Illinois and beyond. 

In addition to her client services and speaking engagements, Erin is the author of several books: The Kitchen Table Divorce® Book, a children's book series Rudy & Ali, and the 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook. 

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Practice Philosophy

Throughout her career, Erin observed that many parents entered divorce believing court was the only path forward. Well-meaning friends, family members, and even professionals often directed families toward litigation before fully exploring options for resolution.

As a former litigator and Guardian ad Litem, Erin understands how court decisions are made, where conflict escalates, and the long-term impact unnecessary litigation can have on families. That experience led her to focus her practice on mediation, Collaborative Divorce, and other structured approaches designed to keep decision-making within the family whenever possible.

Today, Erin's work centers on helping parents prepare, organize information, evaluate options, and reach durable agreements before conflict takes control of the process. This philosophy ultimately became the foundation of the Restorative Divorce® approach.

Throughout the years, Erin has also seen firsthand how deeply children are affected by transitions at home. To provide meaningful comfort and guidance to young hearts, she wrote Rudy & Ali: A Listening Ear & A Cozy Corner, a children's story designed to help children feel understood, supported, and less alone during times of change.

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Values

Colleagues and trusted professionals from around the United States have recently described Erin as follows: 

"Erin cuts through conflict and distractions, helping families focus on practical solutions and a better path forward."

"Erin is a skilled problem solver who keeps the family's needs at the center of the decision-making process."

"Erin is committed to resolution-focused approaches that help families move forward with clarity and purpose."

Mentor and mediation pioneer Woody Mosten once described Erin as someone who "never lost her compass." That observation reflects the values that continue to guide her work today: preparation, integrity, respect, and a commitment to resolving family disputes outside of court whenever possible.

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Education

• - Case Western Reserve University, BA
• - DePaul College of Law, J.D.
• - University College Dublin, including Family Law coursework
• - College of DuPage, Mediation Certificate
• - College of DuPage, Addiction Counseling
• - Guardian ad litem trainings, DuPage County Bar Association & Kane County Bar Association
• - AFCC, Parenting Coordinator Training
• - The Doherty Relationship Institute, LLC, Discernment Counseling Protocol Training

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Continuing Education & Advancement Training

Erin participates in ongoing legal, mediation, addiction counseling, and interdisciplinary professional development each year. She regularly attends and presents at educational programs designed to strengthen her skills in mediation, family law, addiction-related issues, and dispute resolution.

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Memberships

• - DuPage County Bar Association
• - Kane County Bar Association
• - Illinois State Bar Association
• - Mediation Council of Illinois (Past & Current Board Member)
• - Mosten Guthrie Mediation Practice Building Group
• - Illinois Counseling Association
• - NAADAC, Association for Addiction Professionals
• - Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.
• - International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (Past Faculty Speaker)
• - Collaborative Practice Professionals of Illinois
• - Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• - The Doherty Relationship Institute, LLC

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Community Service

• - Past Member of City of Wheaton's Community Relations Commission
• - Past Group Leader for the DuPage County Juvenile Diversion Program
• - Past Chair of DCBA's Child Advocacy Committee
• - Volunteer Family Law Help Desk
• - Board Member Mediation Council of Illinois

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