Chuck is a La Crosse native and an Aquinas graduate. Chuck did his undergraduate studies at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN where he served two years on the Student Senate, spent a semester in China and delivered the commencement address at the graduation ceremony. Upon graduation Chuck moved to San Diego for an adventure. While in California Chuck worked as a foreman on the construction of a large apartment building and led five men who had been released from San Quentin prison just days before starting work on the construction site. It was this experience that motivated Chuck to attend law school. He moved back to the Midwest and attended the University of St. Thomas School of Law. While at St. Thomas Chuck was involved in a number of volunteer opportunities including founding an after school study program at a local elementary school and recruiting other law students to serve as tutors. Chuck also served as the Student Body President in his third year of law school. During law school Chuck married his wife Polly, also a La Crosse native and their first child was born at the beginning of his last semester at St. Thomas. After law school Chuck and his family returned to La Crosse and Chuck took a position as an immigration attorney at Catholic Charities. Chuck worked at Catholic Charities for 9 years and built an immigration practice that served immigrants from all over the western side of Wisconsin. For half of his time at Catholic Charities Chuck also served as the Assistant Executive Director of the agency overseeing the creation of the Warming Center in La Crosse and another in Wausau and a full time homeless shelter in Eau Claire and varied programs from adoption, to services for children on the autism spectrum. During his time at Catholic Charities Chuck and Polly had two more children and Chuck earned a Masters in Business Administration from Viterbo University. Before joining Pittman & Pittman Chuck served as the General Manager of a local real estate company and learned much about the real estate industry.
Chuck and Polly live in La Crosse with their three children. Chuck is active in numerous community organizations including his parish, the Cub Scouts, and serves on the board of the MidWest Music Fest, Beer By Bike Brigade, La Crosse SOUP, and Shelter Development. He also founded a small business making baby clothes out of old t-shirts! Chuck enjoys spending time with his family outdoors hiking, or playing catch with the kid in the yard.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WI | Good Standing | 2007 | 02/22/2022 |
Legal answers | 137 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Stars of the 7 Rivers Region | River Valley Media | 2016 |
Community Recognition Award | Domestic Abuse Task Force of La Crosse | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Director of Migrant, Immigrant & Refugee Assistance | Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse | 2007 - 2016 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
La Crosse County Bar Association | 2013 - Present | |
State Bar of Wisconsin | 2007 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
St Thomas University | 2007 | |
St. Thomas University School of Law | 2007 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Families Belong Together rally to end separating families at the border | Family Unity | 2018 |
radio interview explaining the meaning and history of the 14th Amendment | 14th Amendment | 2018 |
monthly party meeting | How Immigration Really Works | 2018 |
Posted by Mark
January 20, 2019
Posted by anonymous
November 16, 2018
Posted by Teresa
November 15, 2018
Beth Boyer, Immigration Attorney on Nov 27, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Berendes has significant experience and is skilled at providing appropriate legal guidance. I am happy to endorse him.
Sarah Fortune, Immigration Attorney on Nov 20, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Chuck is an honest and ethical attorney who genuinely cares about his clients and community. His knowledge of immigration law is unparalleled in the La Crosse area.