Berlin Melzer Law LLC

10/11/2021

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As many of Rebecca's friends, family and colleagues know, she is personally invested in eradicating domestic violence through many avenues - one of which is FLASH - a task force of Illinois legal professionals united to study and make recommendations to and to combat the prevalence of sexism, sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Illinois legal community through direct advocacy, policy implementation, education and peer support.

As a founding member of FLASH, Rebecca is proud of the volunteer work FLASH is doing to bring this issue to light. What can you do? A ton - reach out and chat with Rebecca! As a START, please take the pledge, encourage a friend to take the pledge, and then live and breathe the pledge in your everyday life.

You (name of individual or law firm ), as a member of the Illinois State Bar or as an entity practicing law in the State of Illinois, am committed to the prevention of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and sexual assault (hereinafter, “sexual misconduct”) in all its forms, and hereby ple...

07/03/2020

For all our friends and valued clients in Chicago, please take notice. Be safe and Happy 4th of July!

06/25/2020

Rebecca is a Proud Board Member of Shalva and the Firm was an Empowerment Sponsor of Shavla's Annual Luncheon today. Erica Olsen, Director of Safety Net, National Network to End Domestic Violence, and Ferial Nijem, Domestic Violence Survivor turned Victim Advocate spoke eloquently on Gaslighting and Technoliogy Abuse.

Learn more at

Is a friend, colleague, or family member showing signs that they might not be safe in their relationship? SHALVA can help you give them the support they need and Show You CARE.

06/06/2020

In your house what do you believe?

06/05/2020

This week, the lawyers at Berlin Melzer Law LLC participated in two remote training educational sessions, one on guardianship proceedings and one titled "Preparing and Taking Remote Depositions" presented to select clients of a national court reporting firm that provides services to our firm. Last week, we took a refresher course in Our Family Wizard, a tool frequently used in our cases. We dedicate the time and resources to education to be the best lawyers we can be.

Even before the pandemic, the firm conducted remote depositions of trial experts or other necessary witlessness not then in the Chicagoland area. In this new-age of remote court appearances on platforms like Zoom and court in Lake County being broadcast on YouTube, staying up-to-date on new technology is critical to any litigation firm. Never stop learning!

06/02/2020

As many of you know, Rebecca's grandmother died last month at almost 98 years of age. Her funeral was attended
by her 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and multiple great-grand children, in-person and also via Zoom. Her memory will be a blessing to all who knew her.

As her health declined, Rebecca felt grateful that she had an estate plan in place - a will, a trust, and powers of attorney for healthcare and property - to ensure her wishes were and will be respected. Rebecca reviewed her own documents in light of this and encouraged many family members to do the same. Rebecca's also includes guardianship considerations for her 3.5 and 7 year old sons.




We can help you ensure your wishes are carried out. We are frequently preparing estate plans, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. And it can all be completed via Zoom. Email Rebecca to learn more: [email protected]

06/01/2020

Earlier this month, Rebecca and Molly participated in an AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) seminar about parenting coordination, where lawyers, judges and therapists all learned about the best practices in parenting coordination.

Judge Patrick Powers, Gail Petrich, JD, PsyD, and Jennifer Lavin, PhD, JD discussed parenting coordination and best practices in parenting coordination - including how to use a parenting coordinator and what to include in a parenting coordination order.

Just last month, Berlin Melzer Law appointed a parenting coordinator to help resolve a matter for a client after the firm won an emergency motion on his behalf. As a result of a successful appointment, the parties entered an Agreed Order on multiple issues, limiting our firm's involvement.

Learn more about us at

Experienced Attorneys with litigation, mediation, trial, and settlement experience. Skilled in Appellate Practice, Domestic Relations, Divorce, Custody, Paternity, Child Support, Estate Planning, and Trials. Big firm experience, small firm attention.

05/31/2020

COVID, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Riots in Chicago, Riots across the US. It is OK to not be OK.

And how to we describe this to our children? My 7 year old asked about George Floyd last night after overhearing me speak about it. I am a big believer in reading children books to help them learn about difficult issues and spark conversations.

Please comment with any books you have found helpful to explain difficult issues to your kids - whether racism, bullying, death, divorce. I like keep a list to read to my kids, but also share when people ask for recommendation.

-Rebecca-

05/29/2020

This week, Berlin Melzer Law welcomed two new employees: Shelly Chang and Jason Pica II. We are excited to welcome them!

05/29/2020

As a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Rebecca has consistently volunteered her time with the school. Last week, Rebecca spoke to a group of lawyers in the Solo and Small Practice Incubator Program about low and no-cost marketing strategies. At Berlin Melzer Law LLC, we do not pay for any marketing. Instead, our valued relationships with clients, attorneys, and other professionals and proven results in cases result in ongoing referrals. To learn more about us, check out our website or email us at [email protected]. Find out more about the Chicago-Kent program and Rebecca's speaking engagement at:

https://www.kentlaw.iit.edu/alumni/solo-and-small-practice-incubator/2020-21-program

04/28/2020

In the last week, Berlin Melzer Law had three court appearances via Zoom, including two emergency motions filed on behalf of clients, both of which were granted by the Court, and a productive pre-trial conference that led to entry of an Agreed Order resolving our client's pending pleadings. While we may dress a little differently for court (as the Judge cannot see our pants), our methods of advocacy haven't changed.

We are here to help solve issues, ideally through mediation and compromise, but when necessary, also through litigation.

04/21/2020

While the Daley Center was empty, the lawyers at Berlin Melzer Law were busy advocating at two Zoom pretrial conferences today, one scheduled as a result of an emergency motion filed Thursday (and won, with relief granted today) and one in the regular course of a case as we continue to seamlessly practice remotely.

We remain committed to help with all your family law needs during this unprecedented time.