Michael J. Berger is a respected negotiator and experienced litigator who is a recognized expert in the financial and business aspects of family law proceedings. Mr. Berger represents professionals and high net-worth individuals in divorce actions involving complex issues, including business valuations, segregation of personal and enterprise goodwill interests, and protection of non-marital assets from a spouse's marital claim. He also counsels clients in all areas of family and matrimonial law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, marital settlements, parenting agreements, child custody and child support matters.

Mr. Berger is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Lake County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Mr. Berger has been named to the Leading Lawyers Network since its inception in 2003 and is one of a select group of attorneys to earn a peer rating of AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®. Mr. Berger also has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed publication of its kind. He has appeared on the covers of both Leading Lawyers and Chicago's Best Lawyers publications. Mr. Berger has been selected annually for inclusion in the Illinois Super Lawyers list since 2005 and was profiled in the 2013 Super Lawyers publication.

Mr. Berger has written numerous articles relating to matrimonial law for the American Bar Association, the Illinois Journal of Family Law, and other organizations and publications. He is a highly respected speaker, lecturing frequently at local and national conferences and seminars sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and other legal and business associations. Mr. Berger has been a senior partner at Berger Schatz and its predecessor firms since 1987.

Bar Admissions

Mr. Berger is admitted to practice in Illinois.

Selected Publications and Presentations

“Presenting and Cross-Examining Financial Experts,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education: 9th Annual Family Law Conference, DePaul University College of Law, April 2010

“Dissecting a Business Valuation Report,” American Institute of Certified Public Accountants/American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, National Conference on Divorce, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2008

“The Estate Planner's Guide to Divorce,” Chicago Bar Association, Trust Law Committee, February 2008

“Creative Financial Settlements,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education: Business Valuation, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Divorce 2007, January 2007