“Always walk down the right side of the road. The practice of law is full of temptation, but do not give in. Protect your good name at all times with the truth and the utmost of ethical conduct.”
About Miles N. Beermann
Miles N. Beermann is regarded as one of the preeminent practitioners in the field of family law. His achievements and qualifications have been widely recognized. For example, he has been listed in every edition of the book The Best Lawyers in America.
Further, Mr. Beermann has been honored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Samuel S. Berger Award for his contributions to the law profession. He is recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network as being among the top lawyers in Illinois in family law.
Based upon surveys conducted by the Leading Lawyers Network, Mr. Beermann has been named one of the top 10 and top 100 consumer and family law lawyers in Illinois. He has received an AV rating under the Martindale-Hubbell ® Lawyer Rating System, indicating that he “has reached the height of professional excellence” and “is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.” Additionally, Mr. Beermann was named one of the top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers in 2012. Illinois Super Lawyers are selected by their peers and are “considered among the best in their profession” and “represent the top 5% of the practicing attorneys in Illinois.” For 2014, Mr. Beermann was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Family Law in the Chicago metro area by Best Lawyers in America.
For over 15 years, Mr. Beermann taught divorce law and litigation skills in family-law related issues at DePaul University College of Law. He has lectured and written extensively on the topic of family law and trial and appellate practice. Mr. Beermann has been an invited speaker for educational events sponsored by various law and professional organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Appellate Lawyers Association, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. In addition, Mr. Beermann briefed and argued the constitutional law case of Trimble v. Gordon before the United States Supreme Court.
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law, 1958
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- Illinois, 1958
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1971
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chairman, Matrimonial Law Committee, 1987-1988
- Vice Chairman, Matrimonial Law Committee, 1986-1987
- Board of Managers, 1984-1986
- Secretary, Matrimonial Law Committee, 1984-1986
- Member, Standing Committee on Litigation, 1985
- Chairman, Division III Legislative Committee, 1983-1984
- Co-Chairman, Supreme and Appellate Court Rules Sub-Committee of Matrimonial Law Committee, 1982-1984
- Member, Nominating Committee, 1982
- Chairman, Civil Practice Committee, 1979-1980
- Member, Committee on Evaluation of Candidates, 1977-80
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow
- Chairman, Amicus Curiae Committee
- Illinois Chapter Board of Governors, 1984-1991
- Appellate Lawyers Association
- President, 1983-1984
- Vice President, 1982-1983
- Secretary, 1981-1982
- Treasurer, 1980-1981
- Member, Board of Directors, 1977-1980
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Parliamentarian, 1988-1989
- Board of Directors, 1983-1985, 1989-1992
- Secretary, 1985-1986, 1987-1988
- Treasurer, 1986-1987
- Chairman, Amicus Curiae Committee, 1980-1983
- Member, Legislative Committee, 1980-1983
- Vice-Chairman, Family Law Section, 1980-1981
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Board of Directors, 1984-1986
- Adjunct Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law
- Occasional Visiting Lecturer
- DePaul University College of Law
- Loyola University Law School
- John Marshall Law School
- IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law
- Northwestern University School of Law
- Faculty Member, College of Advocacy, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois and at Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, 1982-1990
- “Rehabilitative Maintenance in Illinois,” Illinois Bar Journal, August 1987
- Editor-in-Chief, Illinois Journal of Family Law, published by Mason Publishing, 1984-1986
- “Stay of Enforcement of Judgment or Order Appealed From,” Civil Appeals, published by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Appellate Lawyers Association, 1984 and subsequent editions to present
- “Grounds for Dismissal of an Appeal,” Appellate Practice Handbook, published by the Appellate Lawyers Association, 1981 and 1982
- “Winning an Appeal, A How-To Guide for the Family Law Practitioner,” Family Advocate Journal, published by the American Bar Association Family Law Section, Summer 1980
- Chicago Bar Association
- “Procedural Problems in Perfecting an Appeal,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1977
- “The Notice of Appeal (Chairman of Program),” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1978
- “Appeal from Orders Granting a New Trial,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1979
- “New Appellate Rules,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1980
- “Attorneys’ Fees, Young Lawyers Section,” Procedural Law Seminar on Matrimonial Law, 1980
- “Stay of Enforcement of Judgments on Appeal,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1981.
- “Interest on Judgments,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1982
- “Rehabilitative Maintenance, The Concept and Its Application,” Matrimonial Law Committee Potpourri, 1982 (Co-Chairman of Program)
- “Expert Testimony in Dissolution of Marriage Cases, Valuation of Real Estate, Trial Demonstration, Direct and Re-Direct Examination of Appraiser,” Matrimonial Law Committee, 1983
- “Settlements Under the Parentage Act of 1984,” Matrimonial Law Committee, 1985
- “Recent Developments in Appellate Practice,” Civil Practice Potpourri, 1985
- “Update on Supreme Court Rules,” Matrimonial Law Committee, 1986
- “Litigation Techniques and Strategies in a Matrimonial Case,” 1988
- “Division of Property: How to Analyze your Situation and Draft Effective Agreements,” Law/Net, 1988
- “Legal Malpractice Issues in the Family Law Area,” 1987
- “Appealability of Support and Maintenance Orders and Judgments,” Law/Net, 1985 and 1987
- “Stays Pending Appeal. Illinois Civil Appeals,” Law/Net, 1984
- “Handling of Pre-Trial and Post-Decree Custody/Visitation Disputes,” Law/Net, 1984
- “Pre-Trial and Post-Decree Custody/Visitation Disputes at Effective Representation of Clients in Child Custody Matters,” Law/Net, 1983
- “Preserving Evidence for Appeal,” 18th Annual Trial Evidence Seminar, 1983
- “Custody: Issues and Answers,” Family Law Institute, Law/Net, 1982
- “Modification of Custody/Visitation Rights at Child Custody Seminars, Law/Net, 1981
- “Grounds for Reversal at Illinois Civil Practice After Trial,” 1979
- “Brief Writing at Illinois Civil Practice After Trial,” 1976
- “Jury Instructions,” Civil Practice Update & Review Seminar, 1989
- “The Appellate Practice,” Annual Convention, 1984
- “Preparing for and Anticipating an Appeal,” 1984
- “Update on Matrimonial Law,” 1981, 1982 and 1983
- “Review of the New Appellate Rules,” 1980
- “Recent Decisions Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act,” 1979
- “Property Rights Under the Illinois Divorce Act,” Annual Convention, 1974
- Videotape Lecture on “Brief Writing” for Appellate Lawyers Association and Office of the State Appellate Defender, Program on Appellate Practice, 1985
- “Brief Writing,” 1985
- “An Overview of Federal Appellate Practice and Procedures,” 1980
- Appeal Bonds, 1978
- “Case Preparation and Trial Demonstration, Business Valuation Expert,” 2000
- “Evidence: Protecting Your Record,” 1985
- “Confusion in the Wake of Leopando,” 1985
- “Proof of Value of Legal Services,” 1979
- “The Rights of Illegitimate Children,” 1977
- “Visitation Problems and Solutions,” 1999
- “Interlocutory or Final Appeals; Rules & Procedures in Different Districts,” 1992
- “Current Cases Affecting Custody,” 1990
- “Section 2-1401 (Relief from Judgments) Petitions,” 1989
- “How to Handle an Appeal in a Matrimonial Case,” 1987
- “Attorneys Fees in Matrimonial Cases,” 1979
- “Mental Health Evaluation of the Family in a Child Custody Dispute,” Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Northwestern University Medical School, 1995
- “Wilson v. Clark: Hearsay and Expert Opinion Revisited,” Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Seminar, 1990
- “Ethics and Negotiating Marital Settlements,” Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 1989
- “Attorneys Fees in Matrimonial Cases,” DuPage County Bar Association, 1979
- “Post Judgment and Appeal Process in Matrimonial Matters,” DuPage County Bar Association, 1977
- “The Rights of Illegitimate Children,” The Lawyers Shrine Club, 1977