Michael Ian Bender re-opened The Law Office of Michael Ian Bender in December of 2013 after retiring from his meaningful tenure as a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Bender originally opened the Law Office in 1993, after serving as a Judicial Law Clerk in the First District Illinois Appellate Court for the Honorable Justice Alan Hartman from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, Bender opened The Law Office of Michael Ian Bender, where he concentrated in litigation offering a broad range of legal services including complex family law and civil rights litigation. Bender has also served as a prosecutor for the Village of Skokie as an Assistant Corporation Counsel. He additionally was elected as a Commissioner of the Skokie Park District. Bender served two terms as President of the Skokie Park Board of Commissioners, where he was instrumental in stabilizing the financial future of the Skokie Park District. Bender later joined a major Chicago family law firm, where he concentrated in family law and advocated for the rights of at-risk youths. Education: John Marshall School of Law, Admitted to practice law in 1991.

Susan L. Bender is recognized by judges and colleagues as one of the top matrimonial attorneys in New York. She is routinely listed as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and has received a Preeminent Rating for both legal ability and ethical standards (“AV”) in the Martindale Hubbell directory of attorneys. Susan penned notable references in New York law. Her first article, “The Finality Rule Barrier to Court of Appeals Review of Appellate Division Orders in Matrimonial Litigation” was published by the New York Domestic Relations Reporter. She also authored a chapter entitled, “Enforcement of Money Judgments” in one of the most regarded references in New York law, New York Practice Guide (Matthew Bender Publisher, 1988). Most notably, she wrote the chapter, “Bringing Justice to a Flawed System” in the New York Family Law Strategies (Thompson Reuters/Aspatore Press, 2009).

Stephanie Benske was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska where she graduated from the private high school Omaha Marian High School. After graduate from Omaha Marian, Stephanie was accepted at and attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. While at Nebraska Stephanie gained valuable work experience working at the State Legislature and working on political campaigns. As a member of the sorority Chi Omega Stephanie developed lasting friendships and acted as the Sorority\'s Secretary for two years. Stephanie graduated with her Juris Doctorate degree from Creighton Law School in 1998. During law school, Stephanie was accepted as a visiting scholar at Marquette Law School for her third year of law school. She also gained valuable experience working as an intern for the Honorable Daniel Noonan at the Children\'s Court Center in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Stephanie relocated to Wisconsin. After successfully completing the Wisconsin Bar Exam Stephanie joined Brazil & Thelen in 1998. Stephanie quickly proved to be a valuable addition to the firm and was named a full partner by 2000. In addition to quickly proving her legal talents at Brazil & Thelen, S.C., Stephanie has been widely recognized as a Super Lawyer in Milwaukee Magazine in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Stephanie has prepared materials for and taught legal seminars on adoption and family law related issues for other attorneys through the National Business Institute. She has appeared on Dateline with fellow partner Paulette Brazil on a family related case. She has been a member of the Inns of Court, Society of Family Law, Justinian Society and the Wisconsin Club. She has also used her political campaigning skills to assist with judicial campaigns. She has donated her time at the Volunteer Self Help Legal Clinic which was offered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Stephanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee\'s Mediation program. Stephanie provides mediation services for family related issues. Stephanie is also an experienced adoption attorney. Not only has Stephanie handled numerous adoption cases but Stephanie offers the unique experience of having adopted children of her own both in the international and domestic setting. Stephanie also works at the Children\'s Court Center handling CHIPS cases both in private cases and as an intake attorney at the Center. She is also experienced with guardianships. Stephanie enjoys spending time with family both here and in Nebraska. She enjoys many activities with family and friends including supporting the Wisconsin Badgers and her fellow Nebraska Huskers. In her free time she enjoys learning all aspects of cooking and enjoys discovering new places through travel.

Ana Cristina Berenguer, Esq., is a personal injury attorney with Abogadas305. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida. After obtaining her undergraduate degree from Barry University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (BSBA) with a minor in Psychology, she attended Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor degree. While at Barry Law School, she was a member of the Trial Team and was also presented with the Charles Modica Student Mentor Award in recognition of her care and compassion in mentoring fellow students. During her time in law school, Ana interned with Orange County Legal Aid Society, in the Guardian Ad Litem program and was also a Volunteer Advocate for Children. Additionally, Ana participated in the Collaborative Family Law Clinic where she became collaboratively certified in family law.

Heidi Bernstein manages our matrimonial, family law and criminal and traffic law practice. Heidi has been a practicing attorney for over twenty-eight years with extensive experience in matrimonial and family court matters, prenuptial agreements, separation agreements and post-nuptial agreements in addition to handling educational law issues, criminal and traffic matters, and mental health and drug court cases. Heidi has won numerous trials involving custody, child support, maintenance, and equitable distribution. Heidi has successfully represented clients in divorce actions, criminal contempt proceedings, family offense matters, and relocation petitions. Ms. Bernstein has handled same ­sex family court and matrimonial actions and has secured parental rights to same­ sex partners before the passing of the Marriage Equality Act in 2011. Heidi draws on her perspective as a trial lawyer to counsel and advocate for clients facing these and other significant life events.