Joyce Jezeer

Joyce earned her law degree at Leiden University in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s leading research universities, and began her career there in local government law, serving as in-house lawyer to two municipalities and appearing in the Hague judicial courts. She continued in local government law after moving to Chicago before turning her practice to family law. She trained and certified as a mediator in the Netherlands, and she brings nearly two decades of legal experience to the matters she handles.

Family law drew Joyce because legal proceedings are difficult to navigate, particularly for someone already facing hard personal circumstances. As a widow, she understands how heavily those two things land together. Joyce helps clients see a clear path forward while managing expectations and giving realistic advice about what is likely to happen.

Joyce looks for practical solutions where they exist and recognizes when a matter calls for strong advocacy in the courtroom. She also volunteers as an attorney with ABA Free Legal Answers and Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Why Joyce is the Family Lawyer for You

When Joyce takes on a new matter, her first priority is getting to know her client and understanding not only the legal issues, but what matters most to them and what they hope to achieve. She communicates regularly and keeps clients informed, primarily by email and by phone when a conversation is more effective.

Joyce treats managing risk as an important part of her role. Family law decisions carry significant and lasting consequences, and she wants her clients to understand their options, the likely outcomes, and the risks involved. Whether it makes sense to push an issue or work toward settlement depends on the circumstances of each case. Joyce gives clients realistic advice so that those decisions can be made strategically rather than reactively.

Beyond Being a Lawyer

Outside of work Joyce enjoys traveling, especially road trips, and stays active playing field hockey and going to the gym. She runs the occasional 5K, sometimes with her dog. She loves spending time with friends around a dinner table, at concerts, or trying out something creative together, and she tries to visit family and friends in the Netherlands every year.

Joyce has a lifelong interest in languages, literature, and writing. She studies English Language and Literature in her spare time, has written two children’s books, and enjoys creative writing more broadly. Besides her native Dutch and English she speaks French and German, and she is working on Spanish.

As an animal lover, animal welfare is a cause particularly close to her heart.