Getting to know Kelly Giraudo

Kelly Giraudo is a new appointee to the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law. Her main area of practice is family law. She is a 2009 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law. During law school she served as a legal extern for Land of Lincoln and both participated in and then worked for the Civil Practice/Elderly Clinic under her 711 license. She was a member of the Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity, and served as dean for one year. She participated in the 2008 Moot Court Intramural Competition and won second best brief.

After graduating, Kelly began her practice of family law at the Law Office of Susan H. Butler in Morton, Illinois. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Peoria County Bar Association, and Tazewell County Bar Association. Kelly served two years as president of the Tazewell County Bar Association and is a member of the Family Law Section of the Peoria County Bar Association. Kelly serves as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois.

In April of 2013, Kelly became a partner in her firm. Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. is a three attorney all female family law firm with offices in Morton, Illinois and Peoria, Illinois. Kelly truly believes she was born to practice family law, and she finds so much joy in what she does. She has authored and given oral presentations at several CLE courses within Tazewell, Peoria, and McLean counties covering various topics within the area of family law. In 2018, Kelly received the Trailblazer Award from SIU School of Law’s Women in Leadership.

Kelly credits her husband, Jon, for guiding her into the legal profession. Not only did he suggest she would be a good lawyer, he provided her support and motivation throughout law school and now in her legal career. Her professional idols are Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rebecca O’Neil (one of her law school professors), and her legal partner, Susan Butler.

Her advice to new lawyers is to be reasonable, stay true to yourself, and find a good balance between your professional and personal life.

Kelly is an active member and second vice president and fundraising chair of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin, which is a community-based organization whose mission is to serve the children of the world. Kelly’s firm also sponsors and supports Crittenton Centers in Peoria, Illinois, whose mission is to protect and nurture children and families. 

In her spare time, Kelly loves to spend time with her husband, Jon, who is an assistant state's attorney in Tazewell County, and their two very active sons. She enjoys traveling, hanging out with family and friends, and competing in CrossFit. 

Margie Komes Putzler is an associate at Turner & Sackett LLC in Sycamore, IL, a firm that specializes in Personal Injury, Workers Compensation and Wrongful Death Claims. She can be reached at 815-895-2131 or MKomes@turnersackett.com