Profiles

How did you get into family law in the first place?

My father was a divorce attorney, and I went to work with him straight out of law school. He was among the first Fellows when the Academy started in Chicago in 1962. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

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Robert Segal

What brought you to family law?

I love people, and in divorce law, you’re not only a lawyer, you become a friend to your clients as they go through the most difficult time in their life.

And if that doesn’t work, my advice is: Let’s get through this as quickly and efficiently as possible. Pick your battles.

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Robert Segal

What area of family law interests you most?

Mediation. I stopped being a litigator at the end of 2020 and started my own firm to help separated families as they navigate co-parenting, which is a new space for them. I think that’s where I really shine.

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What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally and or professionally?

Partnering with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services to start the Beermann LLP Pro Bono Legal Clinic in June 2023.

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What do you find rewarding about being a Fellow of the AAML?

I enjoy the ability to connect with matrimonial lawyers across the country, to be involved in CLE events as a speaker, and to become involved in the process of vetting new Fellows. As a Board member of the Illinois Chapter, I enjoy involvement in the management of the state organization as well.

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I’m a financial guy. I’m an attorney and a CPA, also an Accredited Senior appraiser for business valuations, and Certified Fraud Examiner. I have conducted many forensic accounting investigations and testify regularly as a financial expert in divorce cases across the country; I’m also retained as a mediator in complex financial cases.

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What led you to become an Academy Fellow?

I’ve been practicing divorce law since 1984, and I always wanted to be part of the Academy. When my partner and I established our own firm in 2007, one of my first actions was to apply. I already had a lot of respect for the Academy. Any time I’ve had a case against a Fellow, it was at a different level. They were more professional, more knowledgeable and better prepared, and I wanted to be part of that organization.

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I handle mostly domestic relations cases, not for families who are super rich with $10 million houses, but for everyday people with a nice living, a nice house. We keep our fees reasonable to represent people who don’t think they can afford our quality of work. I find this more rewarding, and they are really appreciative.

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What do you find most rewarding about being an AAML Fellow?

I’ve really enjoyed helping develop the Illinois chapter’s Continuing Legal Education programs that elevate our profession. In 2005, I chaired our first CLE Columbus Day seminar, now called the Indigenous People’s Day Seminar. It is one of the best such programs in the nation.

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What key piece of advice do you have for couples who come to you?

Stay married. The first thing I say is, “My job isn’t to tell you to get divorced.” Then I ask them if they have done everything possible to save their marriage. Counseling? Advice of clergy? Gone on retreats?

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I focus on divorce and parentage cases, both through mediation and litigation. Being a litigator is essential to family law. People will dispute issues, whether they are child-related or financial ones, and attorneys must be prepared to litigate these issues.

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Why did you apply to become an AAML Fellow?

My father, Sandy Kirsh, was a founding member of the Illinois chapter, and it was really important to him that I become a Fellow. The AAML was a big part of his professional and social life, and he wanted me to have the same experience.

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What do you find most rewarding about being a Fellow of the AAML?

It’s the camaraderie. When we have cases against each other, the goal is to fight as hard as you can for our client. Court is an adversarial, somewhat combative process. But once you’re no longer in front of the judge, it’s good to temper that with the social interactions that you get through the Academy. When we can see people on a more human level, it makes us better attorneys.

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What do you find most rewarding about being an AAML Fellow?

The knowledge! The case experience, and the caliber of knowledge that the attorneys have, are beyond reproach. If there’s ever an issue, I can call a Fellow who has either dealt with a specific matter before or who will brainstorm with me about a solution.

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I like the human aspect of family law. It’s almost like being a therapist in some ways, dealing with people’s fears and anger about what matters most. A good attorney must be open to really hearing where their clients are coming from. I also feel strongly about alternative ways to resolve cases. For years, the only way to address family law conflicts was through the court system. But mediation and collaborative processes have shifted resolution in a tremendously positive direction.

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I focus on custody matters in particular. I’m a child of divorce, and I’m also a divorced parent who is actively and amicably co-parenting with my ex-spouse. So I bring a certain perspective to these cases, especially where children are concerned.

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Why did you apply to become a Fellow of the AAML?

My first job out of law school was with Lake, Toback & Yavitz in Chicago. I worked primarily with Alan Toback who, at the time, was president of the AAML Illinois Chapter. Watching the camaraderie, respect, and litigation skills of other Fellows as a baby lawyer made me want to be the best lawyer I could be. Becoming a Fellow in the Academy was a no-brainer.

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Why did you apply to become a Fellow of the AAML?

I respected many of the Fellows due to their commitment to quality advocacy; intelligent practice and leadership in our field. At that time, there were very few women in the founding chapter of the AAML, let alone the entire organization. I thought it important for women to be visible leaders in our chosen field.

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Why did you apply to become a Fellow of the AAML?

My mentor, Sandra Murphy, was the national president when I was a young associate, and the AAML was the most respected organization in our field.

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What led you to become a Fellow in the Academy?

Early in my career I looked up to attorneys who were Illinois Fellows. I practiced with an attorney who brought me to Academy seminars, so I was exposed to the work of the Academy, and I had the opportunity to learn from some of them. I saw they were practicing at a higher level than others, and I wanted to be one of them.

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What area of family law do you find most interesting?

I am drawn to the financial aspects of divorce, and have been working most recently in the area of child and spousal support, including drafting legislation to improve the process and calculations of support.

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What do you find rewarding about being a Fellow of the AAML?

I find it rewarding when I get contacted by other Fellows from around the country and discuss cases and potential representation.

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What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

When I was hired at my previous firm, my mentor, Alan Toback, said, “You get two weeks of vacation. Take it. You’ll need it.” And he was absolutely right. The practice of family law can be all-consuming; it’s important to take time to relax and recharge.

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What do you find rewarding about being a Fellow of the AAML?

The national network of close friends is unequivocally the best part of membership. The professional and personal support, in addition to wonderful referrals, has been rewarding beyond anything I expected.

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What do you find rewarding about being a Fellow of the AAML?
I consider being a part of the AAML similar to being board certified in family law. I take great pride in it. This past year, I traveled to Boston for the negotiation seminar, and I met some brilliant colleagues who are now (I hope) becoming lifelong friends, too

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Why did you apply to become a Fellow of the AAML?

The people, the education and the experience. No one is ever too old to make new connections (and friends), learn something new and gain a fresh perspective in our ever-changing area of law.

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Why did you apply to become a Fellow of the AAML?

I wanted to join the most prestigious group of matrimonial lawyers in the country.

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