Robert B. Spence

Of Counsel

Robert B. Spence brings more than 40 years of legal experience in courts throughout Illinois. Early in his career, he served as a criminal prosecutor with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Illinois Attorney General. He appeared regularly before judges and juries in a wide range of criminal matters, including murder, sexual assault, and drug offenses. During this period, Mr. Spence also developed significant leadership experience by supervising dozens of prosecutors and became highly knowledgeable in evidentiary and hearsay issues. He later shared that knowledge by providing education and training to law enforcement officers and fellow prosecutors.

In 2001, Mr. Spence was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a judge in the Circuit Court of Kane County, a position he held until 2019. Over the course of his judicial career, he presided over thousands of civil and criminal matters, including more than 5,000 hearings and trials involving divorce cases. In 2011, his fellow judges elected him Chief Judge of the Kane County Circuit Court. In that role, he oversaw the county court system and hundreds of employees while working to improve court efficiency, including efforts to streamline the process for obtaining Orders of Protection for survivors of domestic violence.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Spence to the Second District Appellate Court in 2012. While serving on the appellate bench, he authored opinions in more than 500 civil and criminal appeals involving cases from 13 counties across northern Illinois. He retired from the judiciary in 2019.

Mr. Spence has been married to his wife, Janet, since 1982, and they have lived in Kane County throughout their marriage. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and a granddaughter. Janet, who worked as a public school teacher in Wheaton, retired in 2020.

Outside of his legal work, Mr. Spence has continued to serve others by drawing on his legal knowledge and leadership experience. He has assisted the Gospel Justice Initiative in establishing faith-based legal aid clinics for individuals who cannot afford private counsel and has served on the organization’s board of directors. He and his wife have also volunteered with organizations including Hesed House, Feed My Starving Children, and Wayside Cross Ministries. As members of Christ Community Church, they have participated in community and mission work, and Mr. Spence has led and taken part in multiple mission trips to Mexico and Nicaragua. During those trips, he has helped train teachers and police officers while also supporting projects involving medical care and the construction of schools, churches, and homes.

Drawing on his extensive background as a prosecutor, trial judge, appellate judge, and legal educator, Mr. Spence brings a broad perspective to his work with clients at Goostree Law Group. His familiarity with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and decades of courtroom experience allow him to assist divorcing spouses, parents, and other family members in navigating difficult disputes and complex legal issues.