Business and Commercial Litigation

Mr. Bernick has over thirty years experience in the litigation and trial of business and commercial disputes, including claims for breach of contract, accounting, breach of fiduciary duty, partnership dissolution, business and consumer fraud, construction and real estate, insurance coverage, and similar matters, such as the negotiation and settlement of such claims. He has tried numerous cases, both jury and non-jury, in state and federal court in Illinois and other states and in arbitration.

Family Law Litigation and Counseling

Mr. Bernick has over fifteen years experience in the area of matrimonial and family law. Issues in this area that he has litigated include the valuation of businesses and interests in closely held corporations, the discovery and valuation of financial and non-financial assets, support and maintenance issues, and child custody and visitation. He also regularly prepares and reviews family-related agreements, such as prenuptial agreements, parenting and custody agreements, and marital settlement agreements.

Alternative Dispute Resolution. For those who wish to pursue a negotiated resolution, Mr. Bernick is trained in collaborative law and in divorce mediation.

Trial and Appellate Practice in State and Federal Courts

Mr. Bernick has personally briefed and argued numerous appeals in the Illinois Appellate Court and United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Representative cases from the past twenty years include:

In re Adoption of Patricia Lynn M., No. 5-04-0040 (Ill. App., 5th Dist. 2005)

In re Parentage of Teskoski-Laskero, No. 1-03-779 (Ill. App., 1st Dist., Aug. 2, 2004)

In re Marriage of Buck, 318 Ill.App.3d 489 (1st Dist. 2000)

Divane v. Krull Electric Co., 200 F.3d 1020 (7th Cir. 1999)

Drayson v. Wolff, 277 Ill. App.3d 975 (1st Dist. 1996)

Fallimento C. Op. M.A. v. Fischer Crane Co., 995 F.2d 789 (7th Cir. 1993)

Dunn v. Gull, 990 F.2d 348 (7th Cir. 1992)

TMF Tool Co. v. Siebengartner, 899 F.2d 584 (7th Cir. 1990)

Flip Side Productions v. Jam Productions, 843 F.2d 1024 (7th Cir.) , cert denied 488 U.S. 909 (1988)

Diamond Headache Clinic v. Loeber Motors Inc., 172 Ill.App.3d 364 (1st Dist. 1988)

Van C. Argiris & Co. v. F.M.C. Corp., 144 Ill.App.3d 750 (1st Dist. 1988)