Family Law Professional & Sought-After Speaker
As a Divorce and Family Law Equity Partner at Beermann LLP, Katy has provided strategic legal guidance in high-stakes family law matters for 20 years. She actively represents clients, including high-profile individuals, business owners and executives, professional athletes and industry rainmakers, who need pragmatic, results-driven counsel.
Meet Katy
Event organizers and legal professionals seek her expertise as a speaker on divorce cases, client advocacy, and the future of family law practices.
Accolades & Recognition
Distinguished as a Leading Family Law Attorney by Leading Lawyers Magazine
Recognized as one of Crain's Most Notable Women Attorneys
Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Family Lawyers
Selected as a Top-Rated Family Law Attorney by Super Lawyers
Lecturer, Author, and Panelist
Katy's work as a speaker and educator is a natural extension of her role as a legal advisor. She provides clear, strategic insights on asset protection, financial settlements, and the balance between litigation and mediation.
Her approach is holistic, guiding both attorneys and business owners through the realities of family law beyond just filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. She connects deeply with people, understanding the emotional, financial, and long-term impact of legal decisions.
Katy has spoken at leading industry events, lending her deep knowledge of family law to educational events such as the Lilac Tree annual Divorce University conference and panels alongside wealth advisors and estate planners where she has discussed the intersection of law and financial planning.
Katy is currently a faculty member of the National Family Law Trial Institute, where she teaches trial skills in family law litigation. She was recently selected by the presiding judge of the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County to demonstrate trial skills for the Division's CLE seminar for court-approved GALs and child representatives. This follows her recent collaboration with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Court, where she participated in a mock trial demonstration for judicial clerks.
"Katy has a way of bringing the temperature down, even in the most high-stakes situations. She makes people feel confident and heard, but not in a scripted or therapeutic way, but in a way that empowers. Many of my colleagues have presence or skill. Katy has both. Her ability to balance the two is what sets her apart from anyone I've ever worked with."
Signature Session
Beyond Filing for Divorce: The Bigger Picture of Family Law Representation
Understanding why the most successful attorneys take a pragmatic, holistic approach, not just focusing on legal outcomes but considering financial, emotional, and long-term impact.
Other Topics Include
How to Successfully Retain an Attorney
What to look for in a family law attorney, the questions to ask, and why choosing the right legal representation is crucial for your future.
Women in Law: Breaking Barriers and Building Influence
A candid discussion on leadership, mentorship, and success in the legal industry.
Legal Strategies for Business Owners Facing Divorce
Understanding the complexities of asset protection and financial settlements.
Navigating High-Net-Worth Divorce
A must-know guide for entrepreneurs and executives.
Media & Podcast Features
Latest Episode
The 1958 Lawyer
Family Law, Mediation, and the Business of Divorce
Katy joins host Ron Bockstahler to discuss mediation versus litigation, why prenups are not just for the ultra-wealthy, and how family law operates beyond the legal technicalities.
Beyond the Bar Podcast
From PR to Family Law: How to Pivot Your Career and Find Success
Inside BS with Dave Lorenzo
How to Become a Great Divorce Lawyer
MomLifeTV
Overcoming Life's Challenges: Divorce, Family Law, Trusts & Estates
Impact Makers Radio
Divorcing with Dignity: Expert Insights from Katy Mickelson
Interested in having Katy as a part of your program? Email Katy
About Katy Mickelson
Katy Mickelson is a leading family law professional, speaker, and Equity Partner at Beermann LLP, the only female equity partner in the firm to rise from law clerk to equity partner. She actively represents high-profile clients, business owners, and individuals navigating complex family matters.
With a career spanning thousands of cases, she has advised clients on divorce proceedings, both pre- and post-decree, parentage matters, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, international family law disputes, and domestic violence cases, always with a focus on strategy and long-term stability.
Beyond the "typical" family law cases, Katy offers guidance on less common matters that require skilled representation, such as relocation of a child, non-parent visitation rights and assisted reproduction technology.
A seasoned litigator with extensive trial experience, Katy is also a certified mediator, known for resolving disputes efficiently when litigation can be avoided. She takes a whole-case approach, recognizing that legal representation is more than just handling transactions. It's about understanding the personal, financial, and emotional implications of divorce.
Her ability to balance assertive advocacy with measured negotiation has earned her the trust of clients and the respect of judges, colleagues, and peers.
Beyond the courtroom, Katy is a sought-after speaker who regularly shares insights on what it means to work with a family law attorney, how to successfully retain counsel, and the long-term impact of strategic legal representation. She has been recognized by Crain's Chicago Business, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon 500 as one of the top voices in family law and continues to shape the field through her thought leadership and mentorship.
Affiliations
Equity Partner, Beermann LLP
The only partner in the firm to rise from law clerk to owner.
Illinois State Bar Association
Active member, contributing to legal education and ethics committees.
Chicago Bar Association
Engaged in family law advocacy and professional development initiatives.
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Serves on the Illinois Chapter Board, an elite group of the nation's top family law attorneys.
Women's Bar Association of Illinois
Former co-chair of the Domestic Relations Roundtable, a premier CLE event for family law attorneys and judges.
American Writers Museum, Chicago Council
Past President, supporting literacy and legal writing initiatives.
National Family Law Trial Institute
Faculty member for three years, training attorneys in advanced trial techniques.
Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
Recognized among a select group of leading global family law practitioners.
ProVisors Group Leader
Leads a professional networking group for senior-level advisors, previously recognized as Group Leader of the Year.
Economic Club of Chicago
Active participant, engaging in discussions on leadership, business strategy, and the future of the legal industry.
Board of Trustees, Court Theatre
Serves on the board of Court Theatre, the Tony Award-winning professional theater at the University of Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire Katy to represent me and my case?
Yes, Katy is actively practicing and represents clients in high-stakes family law matters, including divorce proceedings, both pre- and post-decree, parentage matters, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, international family law disputes, and domestic violence cases, always with a focus on strategy and long-term stability. Beyond the "typical" family law cases, Katy offers guidance on less common matters that require skilled representation, such as relocation of a child, non-parent visitation rights and assisted reproduction technology. If you need legal representation you can email Katy.
How can I book Katy for a speaking engagement?
To inquire about availability, you can email Katy directly. Please be sure to provide details on the event, topic of interest, and expected audience.
Does Katy offer CLE (Continuing Legal Education) presentations?
Yes, Katy frequently participates in CLE programs, providing insights on key legal developments and best practices in family law. Contact her to discuss opportunities for your organization.
What makes Katy's approach to family law unique?
With experience in both litigation and mediation, Katy takes a strategic yet pragmatic approach to family law. She focuses on solutions that protect her clients' long-term financial and personal interests while minimizing unnecessary conflict. She remains calm in the most chaotic of matters, knowing that clients do not need to feel their attorney's angst when they already have their own.
Who is Katy's ideal audience for speaking engagements?
Katy speaks at legal conferences, bar association events, corporate workshops, and professional development panels. Her insights are valuable for attorneys, business professionals, and those interested in the evolving landscape of family law.
Does Katy offer media interviews or expert commentary?
Yes, Katy is available for interviews and expert commentary on family law matters. If you're a journalist or podcast host, reach out via email for media requests.
When I set out to be a lawyer, I wanted to do work that mattered.
Over the years, I've come to appreciate how much of my work is about connecting with people.
Whether I'm in the courtroom, negotiating behind closed doors, or speaking to a room full of attorneys, I always come back to the same thing: we want to feel understood.
We want clarity in our most chaotic of moments. We want to know that someone is standing beside us, not just leading the charge but helping us to find our own footing.
That's what I strive to do, not just as a lawyer, but as an advocate for the next generation in this profession.
Sincerely,
Katy Mickelson
P.S. If there is anything I can help you with, please email me. I read and respond to every message.
Contact Katy
Katy is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after voices in family law while continuing to actively represent clients in high-stakes cases. Whether you're planning an event and looking for an experienced legal thought leader or need direct legal representation, reach out today.
Chicago Office
161 N Clark St, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel. (312) 621-4382
Email: khmickelson@beermannlaw.com
