family law appeals

Credentials

Education/Teaching

I received my undergraduate degree in 1979 from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. After college, I attended the Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating from The Chicago-Kent College of Law. I received my Juris Doctorate and was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Illinois Supreme Court. I then began practicing law with a downtown Chicago law firm, while at the same time pursuing my post-graduate studies in taxation.

In 1986, I received a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from the prestigious tax program at The John Marshall Law School, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. In 1996, I was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.

For many years I served as adjunct professor at Roosevelt University in Chicago, teaching family law, corporate, business and partnership law.

Litigation / Alternative Dispute Resolution

Unlike lawyers whose practice has been limited, I have a wide variety of experience, negotiating outside the courthouse and litigating inside the courtroom. Whether a situation is best resolved through alternative dispute resolution or by trial, we are prepared and uniquely capable of handling the issues specific to your case. We represent clients in litigation, negotiation, arbitration, trials and appeals.

Prior to founding my firm in 1993, I was a member of one of the country’s largest law firms, practicing in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Since 1993, I have been the principal of the Law Offices of Beverly Pekala, representing clients in Cook County, Illinois, DuPage County, Illinois, Lake County, Illinois, Will County, Illinois, and other Illinois counties.

Arbitration

In addition to my courtroom and negotiating experience, I have served as an arbitrator for nearly 20 years.

Affiliations/Organizations

I am a member of various bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. I have been honored to serve on the boards of civic and legal organizations, including chambers of commerce, the Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and the Executive Board of the Women’s Bar Association. I have acted as Director of Legal Affairs for a national organization focused on fighting domestic violence and abuse, and have acted as counsel for a Chicago based anti-cruelty organization.