About Stephanie
Stephanie Bergner began her professional journey at the intersection of writing and law. She earned a B.A. in English and Professional Writing from the University of Colorado Denver before turning to legal study at The John Marshall Law School, where she completed her J.D. Her undergraduate training in clear, persuasive writing has shaped how she approaches legal work.
Early in her career Bergner worked at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. There she handled a broad range of criminal matters and represented clients in court proceedings. The Public Defender’s Office gave her day-to-day courtroom experience and a steady exposure to the pressures of criminal practice.
She went on to work in a Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. In that setting she worked directly with survivors, assisting with protective orders and related family law issues. The clinic work required quick legal drafting, careful client interviews, and coordination with advocacy services.
Bergner has also been involved with CASA, advocating for children in dependency and abuse cases. That role required working with social workers, attending hearings, and helping ensure that children’s voices were considered in legal decisions. It added a child-centered strand to her legal background.
Her training blends practical courtroom practice with written advocacy. She is comfortable drafting pleadings and preparing arguments for hearings. Colleagues describe her approach as methodical; she prepares papers that aim to be clear and persuasive and she presents them plainly in court.
Outside the courtroom Bergner serves on the board of Lift Up, a community organization. Her involvement there reflects an interest in community-based responses to legal and social problems. The board role is ongoing and brings a nonprofit governance perspective to her legal work.
Today Bergner draws on experience across public defense, domestic violence representation, and child advocacy. She maintains an active practice in Illinois and focuses on criminal defense, domestic violence matters, and legal advocacy on behalf of children.
