Dr. Ilonka Aylward

Dr. Ilonka Aylward

  • Appeals & Appellate, Divorce, Immigration Law
  • North Carolina
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Biography

Prior to founding Aylward Law in 2004, Dr. Aylward practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP in New York City, where she worked with a team representing Microsoft in government antitrust litigation. She also practiced at Katten Muchin Rosenmann, LLP in Charlotte.

Ilonka received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she served on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and was a John M. Olin Fellow in Law and Economics (1999-2001). At graduation, she was awarded the Olin Prize—an award for the best paper written in law and economics by a member of the graduating class; her paper was on the subject of antitrust law.

Prior to law school, Dr. Aylward graduated from the University of Chicago received a master of arts degree (1995) and Ph.D (1999), hence — the "Doctor." She was the recipient of a full scholarship throughout her studies at the University of Chicago, where she also taught courses at the U of C college. Prior to graduate studies, Ilonka graduated from Novosibirsk University in Academy Town, Russia, where her studies in the Department of Humanities were concentrated on Japanese language and culture. Her thesis work concerned Japanese literature and theory of comedy.

Dr. Aylward is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, New York State Bar, and is admitted to practice in the Federal Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and Federal Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Dr. Aylward has delivered lectures and published in the United States, Russia, and Japan on subjects of law, philosophy and popular culture. In the legal field, she frequently lectures for the Mecklenburg County Bar, where her presentations have included "Divorce 101" (2004, 2010) (DVD available upon request); "Alienation of Affections -- always an ethical dilemma" (December 2004); "If you Fight the Prince, Kill the Prince. Expert Evidence and Daubert Considerations in Family Law." (Annual Evidentiary Issues in Family Law April 2004). Dr. Aylward also co-authored with Fred Hicks and Vick Wray "Tax consequences, Perils and Pitfalls in the Equitable Distribution of Closely Held Businesses," (Family Law Intensive Seminar, North Carolina Bar Association 2003).

Dr. Aylward is an occasional guest lecturer at McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte, where she spoke on contract and property law. Together with the Queens University Professors Steven M. Cox and Bradley W. Brooks, she co-wrote a somewhat controversial piece: "Bayer CropScience: The Public's Right to Know," which Professors Cox and Brooks presented at the MBAA International Conference (March 2010).

Dr. Aylward presented her original work as a speaker at philosophy/literature symposiums, including the University of Chicago Slavic Forum (1995); the University of Madison-Wisconsin (1995); the University of Virginia Symposium (1995); and the Moscow Institute for World Literature (1989).

Dr. Aylward's work of fiction "Diary of a Pink girl" was originally written in Russian and translated into Japanese circa 1989. Dr. Aylward's 1999 doctoral dissertation, "It's a Crime to Punish a Crime" concerns philosophy of capital punishment. The book is in the collection of the Library of Congress and was translated into Chinese and what looks to be arabic. Ilonka also authored a column "Divorce American Style" with the now semi-defunct Charlotte Russian Newspaper.

Locally, Ilonka was featured as a guest speaker on CPCC International Success TV show

Education
University of Chicago
Ph.D.
Honors: Full Scholarship
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University of Virginia School of Law
J.D. | law
Honors: Law Review Olin Scholarship
University of Virginia School of Law Logo
University of Chicago
M.A.
Honors: Full Scholarship
University of Chicago Logo
Professional Experience
associate
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
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associate
Sullivan and Cromwell
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teaching
The University of Chicago
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Alienation of Affections
Cheetah Press
Beaver vs. Beaver
Cheetah Press
How to Stiff Your Lawyer
Cheetah Press
Speaking Engagements
If You Plan To Win In Trial, Why Bother With Appeals: Top Ten Things The Trial Lawyer Must Know About Appeals, NCBA TV, Raleigh
NVBA TV
Appellate tips for trial lawyers.
Awards
Client Distinction Award
Martindale-Hubbell
2014 Martindale-Hubbell rated Aylward “preeminent” giving her 5.0 out of 5 client review rating
John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics
University of Virginia Law School
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Current
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Mecklenburg County Bar Association
Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
North Carolina
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4th Circuit
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Fees
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Discounts: PATRIOTIC (Army, Navy, Air, Coast Guard, Marines); SEASONAL (inquire when you call). NO FREE CONSULTATIONS. Seriously, stop asking for free consultations.
Practice Areas
Appeals & Appellate
Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Immigration Law
Asylum, Citizenship, Family Visas, Green Cards, Immigration Appeals, Investment Visas, Marriage & Fiancé(e) Visas, Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Work Visas
Languages
  • Russian: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Blog
Family Law Appeals in North Carolina
Contact & Map
Aylward Law
1645 Scotland Ave
Charlotte, NC 28207
Telephone: (704) 312-0785