Meika Beth Mersman

Associate
Telephone: 312-263-9200
Fax: 312-263-6245
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Biography: Meika Beth Mersman has practiced in estate planning, probate, and estate and trust litigation since graduating from law school in 2004.  After working at Urban & Burt, Ltd., in Oak Forest, IL, Meika joined Paul F. O'Keefe, P.C. in 2006 where she continues to practice in estate planning, probate, trust and estate litigation, and now commercial litigation.  She works out of both our Evanston and Chicago offices.  Meika grew up in West Michigan and came to the Chicago area to attend college at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL, where she graduated with high honors in 2001.  She then received her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2004.

Practice Areas: Estate planning, probate, trust and estate litigation, commercial litigation, and real estate.

Admitted: Illinois, 2004; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2005, and U.S. Tax Court 2010.

Law School: Chicago-Kent College of Law (Chicago, Illinois), J.D., 2004; Valparaiso University School of Law (Valparaiso, Indiana).

College: Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, Illinois), B.A., Business, 2001; Dean's List, Graduated with High Honors.

Member:  (2004-Present): Chicago Bar Association (Sections on: Trust Law, Probate Practice, Civil Practice, and Young Lawyers Association), Illinois State Bar Association (Sections on: Trust and Estates); Lake County Bar Association (Estate Planning and Probate Committees); Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Continued Legal Education:
2010 seminars: Building a Solid Foundation (CNA).
2009 seminars: Estate Planning Short Course (IICLE); Gift and Charitable Giving (Salvation Army); Race and Law Symposium (Loyola Law School); Roth IRAs in 2010 (Berstein Global Wealth Management).
2008 seminars:  Winning your First Civil Trial (NBI), Estate Planning with Retirement Benefits (CBA), Professional Liability Loss Control (CNA)2007 seminars: Motion Practice in Cook County Circuit Court's Law Division (CBA), Professional Liability Loss Control (CAN/Pearl Inst.), Probate Guardian Ad Lietm Training (ISBA), Estate Planning Basics (NBI).
2006 seminars: Basic Probate Primer: The ABC's of How to be a Probate Attorney (CBA); How to Form an IL Business Entity: Corporation and its Alternatives, Parts I & II (CBA); Trust Law, Uniform Trust Act: Art. 4 of Uniform Trust Act (CBA); Empowered Trust Drafting & Client Communications (CBA); LLC vs S Corp (IICLE); Basic Estate Planning: Tax drafting (IICLE)

Community Involvement:  Big Shoulders Fund Auxiliary Board