I paid this firm hundreds of thousands of dollars over 12 years and trusted them with my life. When I changed attorneys--because Beermann was involved in a lawsuit with my judge that was actively hurting my case--they ghosted me. No warning. No support. I sent messages for weeks trying to resolve my final bill. No response. Then they showed up to court with a petition for fees. After everything I'd paid and done, it felt cruel and dishonest. This firm is about one thing: billing. They don't care how it affects your family, your child, or your outcome. Please be careful. UPDATE (June 2025) I worked with Tom Field for several years. Looking back, I regret not speaking up sooner. Tom made inappropriate personal comments to me while representing me--things I dismissed at the time because I felt dependent on the firm. Now that I'm married and in a healthier place, I understand how wrong and unprofessional his behavior was. When I finally filed a complaint with the ARDC over ethical concerns and over-billing, Tom responded by lawyering up and submitting a 10-page statement full of distortions, attempting to paint me as unstable and silence my voice. It's clear Beermann LLP values their image and billing records more than their clients' well-being. I don't want others to go through what I did. Speak up, and choose counsel that will respect you. read more

Beerman Law Firm is outstanding! I highly recommend Cory Oshita and his team. Finding Cory was the best thing that happened to me. From our very first phone conversation I knew I had made the right choice for handling my divorce. Cory guided me through a very difficult process with patience and kindness in addition he walked me through every aspect of the legal proceeding showing professionalism and his impeccable understanding of Divorce Law. He answered all my emails, questions and prepared me for every possible scenario. I'm deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I received from Cory and his team. Even when things didn't look good, they gave me hope and never gave up negotiating. Thanks to them, I truly believed there was light at the end of the tunnel. read more

I hired Candace Meyers based on a friend lawyer's recommendation. My child suffered two horrendous injuries on his father's watch with father having neglected any and all post medical care for the child. And yet, all Candace Meyers and Jonathan Steel (whom I haven't hired but to my outrage was billed for under 'team approach") were able to deliver to me was after pre-trial conference was: 'have the father follow doctor's orders and hire a parenting coordinator!' That's despite the proof the father hasn't followed doctors' or the court orders. Appalling! As far as their outrageous billing practices: copy Simon A. review below verbatim, except my hourly rate was much higer, retainer of $7500 AND I was charged for the 'only to observe, trainee' for his 'observance' during the pre-trial conference despite my then attorney Candace L. Meyers stating in front of myself, her partner Jonathan Steel and the trainee himself Justin Smith: 'there's no billing for Justin, he's here to observe.'Yet, they billed for the 'observing trainee's attendance.' They bill for sending a withdrawal notice disclosed as 'revised order!' What I thought I hired one attorney, namely Candace Meyers, I was shocked to find out my first intake was with someone else I've heard nothing of (Jonathan Steel), and I soon found out via my first invoice, I was being charged for three (3!) lawyers, two of them senior! There were instances when I was charged for six people at Beermann under their so called 'team approach!' Despite my outrage over billing and stating I will NOT pay for several lawyers performing the same task, they kept going at it claiming 'it's necessary.' Communication and neglect to communicate with a client is atrocious! It took me reaching out to a mutual friend lawyer to have Candace Meyers update me on the court status that took place over a week ago. "Oh, I though somebody reached out to you' was her response. Unethical (charging for trainee's attendance court dates or emails to withdraw), fraudulent (inflated) costs under 'team approach, terrible communication, withholding information, emails they receive and charge for but don't read (blank stare when referenced to or confronted about indicating no concept of understanding), and just zero advocacy for the client, makes this firm an awful choice for a family law representation. read more

I have a very litigative ex who filed motions one after another to attempt to modify the judgement. Luckily we had Joe Napoli II and his team from Beermann to represent me and each time, we prevailed. Britnee, Alexa, Dylan, Frank, and Antonia from Joe's team stay on top of everything. They are very patient, and will return phone calls and emails right away to answer any questions I have. They know what they are doing and they don't waste time. They don't miss a beat! Reminders of court hearings are always sent out in advance to let you know what's coming up. All paperwork and documents are well prepared and good to go. Last but not least, with Joe. Joe will listen to your needs. He will evaluate the case and explains his plans and steps to take. He will advice what's worth fighting for and what's not to save money and time. He's not your average attorney. He is very dedicated to his work and will keep in touch with emails/phone calls/texts even late at night or weekends. He's ALWAYS patient and respectful answering and addressing my million questions and concerns. He was so well prepared for all court hearings, and with all documentations and evidences ready. He's never late to court and more than often he came early, which won praises from the judge! In the Zoom and in-person court hearings, Joe fought hard for me. We pretty much got what we wanted! Another observation is that he's well respected by the judge and he's given ample chances to present our side. I can tell he's very well liked in the court. In the end Joe had helped me add clauses and conditions to the judgement to further protect my children's health and safety, to safeguard child support, and to severely limit my ex's chance of coming back to the court. I am VERY happy with the end result. In the future anything comes up, I know I can count on Joe and his team of Beermann for advice in family law. read more

Avoid using this firm for anything family law related. I had a truly awful experience being represented by Beerman Law, specifically their partner Morgan Stogsdill and her underlings. After over a year of dragging out their highly-priced representation, nobody bothered to notify me I was even divorced until I saw the child support being deducted from my paycheck. Insanely unprofessional, unaccountable, and untrustworthy. I would not recommend their services to anyone I care about. read more

I hired Joe Napoli, for the OP and Guardianship. Retainer $7500 with $400 per hr. After 2 weeks he ordered me to withdraw if I don't put another retainer he will not continue working. After I got the itemized bills (3 weeks later after withdrawal) I noticed double billing where both Mr. Napoli and another attorney, Britnee Hart, were charging for identical tasks, including phone calls to the GAL and drafting documents. This practice appears unjustified and was not communicated to me. Please stay away from this firm. Based on my experience, Beermann Law Firm displayed a lack of professionalism, integrity, and communication, appearing more concerned with maximizing their fees than providing quality legal representation. Their conduct throughout this process, particularly Mr. Napoli's, reflects a disregard for ethical obligations and client service. I believe this matter warrants a formal investigation to ensure that no other clients endure the same mistreatment. read more

BEERMANN BILLS ITS CLIENTS FOR FILING A "MOTION TO WITHDRAW" AT THE END OF ENGAGEMENTS. THE COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT HAS RULED THESE CHARGES INAPPROPRIATE. BEERMAN ALSO BILLS FOR INTAKE CALLS WITHOUT ADVANCE AGREEMENT AND DOUBLE AND TRIPLE BILLS THROUGH ITS "TEAM APPROACH". I engaged Beermann for a complicated case that had a short timeline. They were aware of this from the beginning. According to attorney Colleen Breems "Beermann uses a team approach to our cases, and usually, that looks like assistance of our clerks, paralegals, and associates at lower hourly rates than mine to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness." I was specifically told that the blended rate of this team approach would be less than Breems' rate of $425/hour. In reality, Beermann's "team approach" billing looked more like 2 partners and a 3rd attorney on every call and copied on every email for a blended team rate of $1,190 per hour, or over 3x the rate I agreed to pay and adding little-to-no incremental value to my case. Beermann refused to remove the additional attorneys from each phone call and email even after several specific requests from me, and continued to charge for them, knowing that I would not have enough time to engage a new law firm before the upcoming pre-trial date. Beermann also billed me $425 for my pre-engagement business development call without disclosing this before the call and $1,156 for a non-representation related Motion to Withdraw after I fired them, and refused to remove the latter charge when I disputed it. As a result, I was forced to waste time and energy at a hearing filed by Beermann, where a Cook County Circuit Court Judge ruled that this charge was unlawful and found over $1,000 of other duplicative billings, although I believe the amount is far greater than this. To add insult to injury I was not well represented and Colleen Breems made several critical errors in presenting evidence and negotiated a legally favorable but commercially poor pre-trial settlement. The subsequent Order was poorly drafted and has resulted in wasting dozens of hours and thousands of dollars dealing with fee disputes and enforcing it. Overall, I would recommend that people do not hire this law firm and if they do, they should carefully check past and future bills for unlawful and duplicative charges. read more

Spent a ton of money and got nowhere. Granted, I was in the middle of a nasty divorce where I was paying too much and couldn't get them to get it adjusted through the court, my mom was sick and turns out she had ALS, and my business was struggling because in trying to run my life, my business, and spend as much time with my mom, I really needed to be able to depend on my lawyers. When I finally asked why the settlement that had been started in early March still hadn't been finished in August, I got fired. Because "Beth doesn't argue with her clients". Well, they don't seem to fight for them either. I couldn't even get a settlement with anything on it for my new lawyer. Couldn't get the paperwork that I had rightfully paid for already. I think I spent about $8000 before I refused to pay more. Felt like it was time to start letting people know when they do a crap job and you are just billable hours. We were literally fighting over nothing. read more

Shana Vitek and her team represented me in my 6-year quest for 50/50 parenting time with my daughter (she's 7). It took only five (5) months for Beermann/Shana not only to negotiate 50/50 parenting time (and other matters)... but also eliminate child support payments in its entirety (and other financial conditions). I found Beermann via a LinkedIn search and placed random phone call. As a backdrop. I am a divorced Dad of 7 years. I gave Beermann 5 stars for the following reasons: - Results achieved in a reasonable timeframe - Full transparency of potential headwinds and estimated legal fees in upside/downside scenarios - First Class professionalism - Execution of a tailored strategy that addressed my specific situation - Good coordination and communication of next steps - Ability to achieve results without a face to face meeting - all was done telephonically and e-mail - Beermann has a solid reputation and an extensive network - Shana took the time to understand my goals. She was a straight-shooter and advised on optimal methods to stay out of court - Shana was instrumental in the ongoing negotiations with my ex wife (my ex wife is a litigator) - Lastly, results were achieved in a timely manner (again :)) I highly recommend Shana Vitek. read more

I recommend Shana Vitek She's gone to help even without retaining her as counsel She has reasonably come back to offer review and legal advice She has made me comfortable, put me at ease and regained my confidence with the system read more

This firm and specifically James Pritikin have no morals, heart, or concern for their clients. Mr. Pritikin spends time on his travels, personal grooming and his favorite; listening to himself speak. He makes false promises to his clients while ignoring the facts of the case. Mr. Pritikin is a con artist and specialist in fragmenting estates and families. He consistently over bills for his services. He rests on the one and only high profile case he has ever handled. read more

I had Thomas Field and Jordan Rosenberg on my case, and I am satisfied with their services. They aren't cheap, but are super smart attorneys. Well worth it. read more

Excellent attorneys. Thomas Field and Grace Rohan work well to represent their clients. All clear no nonsense.

Was late on one months maintenance payments but contacted ex about and then sent payments up to date. Simple case of showing evidence that maintenance payments were made prior to ex contacting lawyer to compel. I had to show my lawyer the details even though they had my documents weeks before hearing to address motion from ex's lawyer for me to pay her legal bills. I was told at hearing, which I did not attend, the judge denied my lawyer's attempt to get ex's attorney to prove cause, a strategy I was not informed nor briefed. Instead of reacting in the moment to argue document details, judge ruled I pay 100%. Lawyers then complained to me judge was out of line and ruling was illegal. Was I expected to show sympathy for this? Was given the option for them to go to ex's lawyer and try to bluff him into a split of the fees or we would appeal. Are you kidding me! What a disappointment and a waist of money. So much for high priced lawyers ability to think on their feet and be an advocate for client. read more

One star because zero is not an option. Please consider this a warning and do not waste your money on this expensive and ineffective firm especially James Quigley. The associate in my case was the one who knew all the details. James rarely met with me or took the time to read or respond to my emails. Yet, he was the one who spoke in court and was clueless as to what was going on in my case. He began looking at the details in preparation for the trial but by that time, the judge had already made many damaging rulings. I have had two independent attorneys look at my case and both of them said my case screams malpractice. James was railroaded by the opposing attorney because he didn't take the time to learn the facts of the case. Not only did I lose my life fortune in attorney's fees but his mistakes have caused me to pay the ultimate price in losing time with my children. There are certainly many better attorneys and firms out there. read more