About Katy
Equity Partner at Beermann LLP. Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Chicago's trusted voice in family law.
A Career Defined by Connection
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.
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
Approach
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.
"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."
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.
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.