Known for promoting litigation alternatives in family-related legal disputes, Rachel Nicole Hernandez is a collaborative family lawyer & the founder of Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, a collaborative law & family law firm with offices in St. Charles & Sycamore, Illinois.
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC helps families resolve legal issues without going to court, whether it be through mediation, collaborative process, uncontested divorce, pre-divorce legal counseling, or limited scope representation. Rachel Nicole Hernandez provides advice to clients regarding their rights with respect to marital/non-marital assets & debts, maintenance, & child custody issues. Rachel Nicole Hernandez solicits the expertise of financial advisors, accountants, & mental health professionals to help resolve complex family law matters.
Rachel Nicole Hernandez developed a passion for helping others by working with the Community Crisis Center. This commitment led her to enroll in the Northern Illinois University College of Law earning her JD in 2005 as a Dean's Scholar. Prior to family law, Rachel Nicole Hernandez served as an Assistant State’s Attorney, handling cases involving domestic abuse, child abuse, child neglect, & delinquency.
As a mediator, Rachel Nicole Hernandez has served as a coach with Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies & is regularly appointed by the court to assist litigants in parenting disputes. She serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem & has been trained as a parenting coordinator.
Rachel Nicole Hernandez is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, & the DeKalb County Bar Association. Rachel Nicole Hernandez serves as Secretary of the Community Crisis Center Board of Directors & the Northern Illinois University Alumni Council.
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Practice areas
When parents and children face difficult situations requiring emotional and legal intervention, an experienced, compassionate lawyer is essential. At Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, we understand the reality of family-related challenges.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC practices adoption law, assisting those who desire to adopt, including step-parents who wish to adopt the child of a significant other.
17 years
A judge can offer anyone who has experienced abuse by a family or household member an emergency or long-term protective order, including children. Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC has experience in resolving child abuse situations.
17 years
When deciding the allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody), Illinois courts implement the best interests of the child as a standard. Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC ensures that children maintain strong bonds with both parties.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC practices child support law under the new set of Illinois laws (as of July 2017), which moved the child support system from an “income shares” to a “fixed percentage” system.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC employs the collaborative divorce process as a method that promotes mutual and joint problem solving between spouses. By approaching the matter in a benevolent way, couples are often able to avoid litigation.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC has dealt with behaviors that can constitute domestic violence, including physical abuse harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty, and willful deprivation.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC practices guardianship law for those who wish to obtain guardianship over adult family members or children in need of immediate care. As a Guardian Ad Litem, Rachel Nicole Hernandez may also represent children.
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC practices marriage and prenuptial law, drafting and creating both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for clients looking to get married or undergo a significant change, but protect individual assets.
17 years
Mediation is considered an out-of-court solution that allows the parties to resolve legal issues in an amicable manner. At Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, our team helps parties define the issues at hand, facilitating communication.
17 years
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC uses an uncontested divorce for those who can peacefully resolve the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time child support, the division of assets and debts, and potential spousal support.
17 years
Languages spoken
English
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC — St. Charles Office
619 West Main Street
Suite D
Saint Charles, IL, 60174
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC — Sycamore, Illinois Office
139 South Sacramento Street
Sycamore, IL, 60178
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2005 | 03/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 11 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Mentor of the Year | Northern Illinois University | 2011 |
College of Law Dean's Scholar | Northern Illinois University | 2005 |
Outstanding Woman | Northern Illinois University | 2005 |
College of Law Dean's Scholar | Northern Illinois University | 2004 |
College of Law Dean's Scholar | Northern Illinois University | 2003 |
College of Law Dean’s Scholar | Northern Illinois University | 2002 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner, Founder, & Collaborative Divorce Attorney | Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC | 2016 - Present |
Founding Attorney, Mediator, & Guardian ad Litem | Hernandez Hoag Legal Solutions, LLC | 2016 - 2018 |
Of Counsel Attorney | Van Der Snick Law Firm | 2015 - 2018 |
Attorney & Mediatior | Rachel Hernandez | 2008 - 2016 |
Assistant State's Attorney | Winnebago States Attorneys Office | 2006 - 2008 |
Assistant State's Attorney | Boone County State's Attorney's Office | 2005 - 2006 |
Intern Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 711 | Kane County State's Attorney's Office | 2003 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals | 2017 - Present | |
Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois | 2017 - Present | |
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Illinois chapter) | 2017 - Present | |
Kane County Bar Association | Member | 2015 - Present |
Illinois State Bar Association | Member | 2015 - Present |
NIU College of Law Alumni Council | Member | 2009 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC | "Stay at Home" for Co-Parents: Illinois Governor Pritzker Executive Order of March 20, 2020 | 2020 |
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC | Co-Parenting and Behavior Under Executive Order | 2020 |
Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC | DIY Divorce – Details About the Process | 2020 |
DuPage County Bar Brief | The Illinois Collaborative Process Act: A Positive Alternative to Litigation For Family Disputes | 2018 |
Dupage County Bar Association | Members | 2017 |
Dupage County Bar Briefs | “DREW’S LAW”: Why the Media Frenzy over Illinois’ Hearsay Exception for Intentional Murder of a Witness is Much Ado About Nothing | 2010 |
DCBA Brief | DCBA Brief | 2010 |
Winnebago County Bar Association | Journal | 2007 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
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Northern Illinois University College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2005 |
Western Illinois University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1997 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
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Kane County Bar Association | Children in Mediation | 2019 |
Family Spring Seminar | The Illinois Collaborative Process Act & The Nuts and Bolts of Collaborative Practice | 2018 |
Criminal Law and Practice Seminar | New Cannabis Laws in Illinois | 2016 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Motion to Modify Parenting TIme | Client obtained the desired by way of an agreed order |
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Michael Biederstadt, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 13, 2021
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Rachel as a Guardian ad Litem, collaborative divorce, and litigation. We have also worked together in various international and local collaborative law organizations. She is an excellent attorney, extremely knowledgeable, and I highly endorse Ms. Hernandez.
Victor Puscas, Family Attorney on Jan 13, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is extraordinarily empathetic and effective.
Michael Biederstadt, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 13, 2021
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Rachel as a Guardian ad Litem, collaborative divorce, and litigation. We have also worked together in various international and local collaborative law organizations. She is an excellent attorney, extremely knowledgeable, and I highly endorse Ms. Hernandez.
Victor Puscas, Family Attorney on Jan 13, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is extraordinarily empathetic and effective.
Anthony Scifo, Family Attorney on Jan 12, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've known Attorney Hernandez for a number of years now, and her ethics and passion are superior to many of our colleagues. She looks for real world solutions in matters and anyone would be lucky to have her as their counsel. I endorse her whole-heartedly.
Matthew Shaw, Mediation Attorney on Jan 12, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Rachel and I have worked on several cases, through the collaborative process and using our mediation skills, to resolve matters out of court.
Julie Pirtle, Family Attorney on May 7, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rachel is a great advocate who pays attention to detail. She has compassion and she cares for her clients. She is a worthy opponent.
Stephen Brown, Family Attorney on May 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is very professional, bright, and hard working. Not only will she advocate fiercely for her client, she is also willing to explore and create solutions that may benefit both parties.
Danelle Wozniak, Family Attorney on Feb 27, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Rachel and I were opposing counsel on a divorce that involved marital assets and the issue of spousal maintenance. Rachel was a great advocate for her client and handled herself in a very professional manner. Rachel and I were able to work out an agreeable settlement for our respective clients. It was a pleasure working across the court room with her.
Jeffrey Muntz, Family Attorney on Feb 24, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have worked with Ms. Hernandez on multiple cases, and I have found her to be a pleasure to work with. She is very knowledgeable, and works vigorously to obtain the best results for her clients.
Emily Rapp, Family Attorney on Jul 19, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rachel is very knowledgeable in both family and criminal law. She is very thoughtful and strives to excel in every case she takes on. Great attorney.
Catherine Battista, Family Attorney on Apr 8, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
It is my pleasure to endorse Rachel Hernandez as an attorney practicing in the areas of family and criminal law. I have known Rachel since we were interns at the State's Attorney's Office. She is not only bright and hardworking - but sophisticated. Any client would be lucky to have her as their counsel.
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