Nancy Zalusky Berg Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Partner, since
2001 | |
| phone | 612-326-3453 888-340-9311 (Toll Free) |
| fax | 612-340-1154 |
| nancy.berg@wbdlaw.com | |
Nancy Zalusky Berg is a founder of Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.., a thirteen lawyer firm limiting its practice to family, juvenile and adoption law. Ms. Berg has limited her practice to family law since 1985. She is certified by the National Board of Trial Examiners as a Family Law Litigation Specialist. She is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and President of the IAML – USA Chapter. She sits on the Minnesota Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility; she has been listed in the "Best Lawyers in America" and has been identified as one of Minnesota's "Super Lawyers" of Law & Politics, Minnesota Monthly and Mpls-St. Paul magazines since 1993. She has been listed as one of the top 100 lawyers in Minnesota for several years and is one of the top 40 lawyers in the Family Law practice area by Law & Politics. Ms. Berg has also served on a variety of community non-profit boards and is an active glass and mosaic artist.
SUPPLEMENTAL SKILLS:
Parenting Coordination – trained by Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D. 2006
Developed WBDLAW.com website High Conflict page; a resource to professionals and the community for services providers.
- Year Joined Organization:
- 1991
- Areas of Practice:
- Marital Dissolution
- Custody
- Domestic Abuse & Harassment
- Paternity
- Licensing Boards
- Appellate Practice
- Matrimonial and Juvenile Law
- Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 1980
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1980
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
- Education:
- William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota,
January, 1980
Juris Doctor - Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio,
June, 1976
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Law and Justice
- Published Works:
- "The Smart Divorce" by Deborah Moskovitch (Extensively Quoted), Chicago Review Press, Inc., August, 2006
- "Management of a High Conflict Custody Matter", Minnesota Child Support and Child Custody Deskbook, June, 2006
- "Dealing with Difficult Clients, Difficult Lawyers and Difficult Judges", Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting, June, 2001
- "Dealing with Difficult Clients, Difficult Lawyers and Difficult Judges", The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1998
- Visitation Issues When There is a Move Out of State (Co-Author with Brockman Schumacher, Jr.), Family Law Forum, Volume 10, Number 2, August, 1998
- "Post Decree Custody Modification: Moving Out of State and Changes to the Parenting Relationship" (Co-Author with Gary A. Debele), American Journal of Family Law, Volume 4, Number 4, January, 1996
- Child Custody and Visitation in Minnesota, National Business Institute, Inc., 1992
- Representative Cases:
- Havrilak v. Havrilak, 1999 WL 261732 (Minn.App.)
- Newton v. Een (Minn.App.)
- Christman v. Christman, 360 N.W.2d 374 (Minn.App. 1985)
- Chafin v. Rude, 391 N.W.2d 882 (Minn.App. 1986)
- In Re Welfare of J.K.M., 397 N.W.2d 14 (Minn.app. 1987)
- In re Custody of E.A.Q.D., 405 N.W.2d 262 (Minn.App. 1987)
- Silbaugh v. Silbaugh, 543 N.W.2d 639 (Minn. 1996)
- Heffelfinger v. Heffelfinger, 1996 WL 453562 (Minn.App. 1996)
- Roban v. Roban, 1997 WL 471300 (Minn.App. 1997)
- Michaud v. Michaud, 1996 WL 344992 (Minn.App.)
- Schumacher v. Schumacher, 1996 WL 469341 (Minn.app. 1996)
- Lofstrom v. Lofstrom, 1997 WL 118121 (Minn.App. 1997)
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- CLE: Cooperative Practice in Family Law Proceedings, Ramsey County Bar Association, April 28, 2010
- Global Implications at the End of the Road: Anticipating, Recognizing, and Dealing with International Legal Issues in Family Law Matters, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Oregon Chapter, April 16, 2010
- Drinking the Kool-Aid, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - USA Chapter, 2009
- Parenting Consultants, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2006
- Licensure Issues as a Result of Sexual Harassment, Inappropriate Sexual Behavior, Physical Abuse and Mental Injury, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, June 11, 2003
- Dealing with Clients with Mental Health Issues, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, May 9, 2003
- "Best Interests of the Child in Court: Today and Tomorrow", Minnesota State Bar Assciation, 2002
- Family Law Faux Pas, Ethics & Bias, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, June 26, 2002
- Zealous Advocacy, Law Firm Organization: Style, Size and Soul, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, May 31, 2002
- Ethics of Zealous Advocacy for Your Divorce Client, All District Legal Education CLE Proactive Family Law, April 18, 2002
- CLE: Parenting Plans for Infants and Young Children: The State of the Law with Regard to Parenting Schedules for Very Young Children", Hennepin County Bar Association, February 27, 2002
- Co-Chair Professionalism and Ethics In Family Law: Is There A Conflict Between The Code of Professional Responsibility And “Collaborative” Practice?, 17th Annual Family Law Seminar, December 12, 2001
- Ethics and Eliminating Bias: Practical Realities, All District Legal Education, November 29, 2001
- Ethics and Elimination of Bias - Ethics In and Out of the Courtroom, Hennepin County Bar Association, May 17, 2001
- Divorce, Parenting & Maintenance - Income Determinations, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, February 27, 2001
- Ethics and Elimination of Bias - Investigations at the District Ethics Committee: Recurring Issues in a Litigation Practice, Minnesota Association of Trial Lawyers, May 12, 2000
- At Odds with Your Client - Termination of Representation, Minnesota State Bar Association CLE, November 30, 1999
- Institute for Training New Lawyers, American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, Ft.Worth, Texas, June 12, 1999
- Emerging Discovery Issues in Family Law Practice, Law & Politics CLE, June 8, 1999
- ADR and Family Law - Replacing Litigation with Communication, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, December 3, 1998
- General Practice Solo and Small Firm Section CLE Dealing With Difficult Clients, Lawyers and Judges, Minnesota State Bar Association, June 26, 1998
- Marketing for Lawyers: Trends, Tips and Techniques, All District Legal Education CLE, May 13, 1998
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section CLE, Representation of Difficult Clients, February 14, 1998
- Visitation Access By Any Other Name, Minnesota Institute Legal Education, December 18, 1997
- Institute for Training New Lawyers, Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, Illinois, 1997
- State Bar of South Dakota Domestic Relations CLE, April 25, 1997
- MinnesotaWomen Lawyers: Life/Work Balance, 1996
- Minnesota Chapter "Divorce Camp VII - Removal: The Ties that Bind", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1996
- Post-Decree Custody Modification: Moving Out of State and Changes to the Parenting Relationship (Co-Author with Gary A. Debele), Law Education Institute and BNA, Inc., 1996
- SpousalMaintenance: The Cutting Edge of Gender Warfare, 1995
- Minnesota Women Lawyers: Women Lawyers as Leaders: Conscience and Courage, 1995
- Minnesota State Bar Association Convention: Alternative Dispute Resolution, 1995
- National Practice Institute: Objections at Trial and How to Deal With the Difficult Lawyer, 1995
- 16th Annual Family Law Institute: Effective Marital Dissolution Practice, 1995
- Minnesota Chapter: "Divorce Trek V - The Next Generation", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1994
- CLE: Child Custody & Placement, Minnesota State Bar Association, 1994
- Avoiding the Dragon: Protecting Your Clients & Yourself; Recognizing Client Repair Possibilities In Family Law Cases, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, 1994
- Landmines for Small Law Firms, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1994
- Strategies & Techniques forWomen Negotiators, 1994
- Its Not Just Divorce Anymore; Paternity, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1994
- Professionals At Risk, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1993
- Minnesota Chapter: "What's Love Got to DoWith It", American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1993
- Malpractice Issues in Family Law, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, 1993
- Presenter, Midwest Custody Project: Custody Evaluations and the Courtroom, Minnesota Psychological Association, 1993
- Presenter, Midwest Custody Project: Custody Evaluations and the Courtroom, Minnesota State Bar Association, 1993
- Child Custody and Visitation, National Business Institute, Inc., Minnesota, 1992
- Piercing The Public Shield, 1992
- Ethical Complaints about Governmental Lawyers, 1992
- Twelfth Annual Family Law Institute: Dealing with Multi-Jurisdictional Custody Disputes, 1992
- Family Law: SpousalMaintenance, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1991
- The Hidden Dynamics of Marriage Dissolution, Minnesota Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1991
- A Custody and Visitation Paradigm, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1991
- How to Try the Spousal Maintenance Case, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1991
- Advanced Legal Education: When Professionals Divorce, 1991
- National Business Institute: Child Custody and Visitation in Minnesota, 1991
- How to Respond to Allegations of Sex Abuse, Tenth Annual Family Law Institute, 1989
- Difficult Child Custody Cases, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Caribbean Conference, 1989
- Sexual Abuse of Children, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1988
- Minneapolis Public Library: Bicentennial Constitution and the Family, 1987
- Honors and Awards:
- Named in The Best Lawyers in America, Steven Naifeh, 2006
- Award of Excellence Program - Education Conference and National Forum in Minneapolis, 1998
- Recipient of Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1997
- Recipient of Distinguished Alumna/us Award for 1996 fromWilliam Mitchell College of Law, 1996
- Named in The Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh and Smith, 1993 - Present
- Featured in Law and Leading Attorneys, a Minnesota Consumer Guidebook, 1994 - Present
- Named in Minnesota Law and Politics, "Top 100 Lawyers", 1999
- Named in Minnesota Law and Politics, "Super Lawyers", 1999 - Present
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, U.S. Chapter, 2006 - 2008
- Parliamentarian
- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, U.S. Chapter, 2008 - 2010
- President-Elect
- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Editorial Board, IAML Journal
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, 1995 - 1996
- President
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
- Board of Managers
- Minnesota State Bar Association, 1996 - 2004
- Board of Governors
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Standards for Custody Evaluations Committee
- Minnesota State Bar Association, AAML Foundation
- Board Member
- American Bar Association, 1985 - 2003
- Member, Fourth District Bar Association Ethics Committee
- American Bar Association, 1985 - 2003
- Vice Chair, Fourth District Bar Association Ethics Committee
- American Bar Association, 1985 - 2003
- Chair, Fourth District Bar Association Ethics Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Plebiscite Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Professionalism and Professional Conduct Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Juvenile Law Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Diversity Committee
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Child Abuse committee
- Minnesota State Bar Association, 1982 - 1985
- Committee on Economic Consequences of Child Abuse
- Cooperative Practice Network of Minnesota
- Cooperative Practice Network (National)
- Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, 2009 - Present
- Fourth Judicial District Gender Fairness Implementation Committee
- Leading American Attorneys
- Minnesota Advisory Board
- Minnesota Interdisciplinary Committee on Divorce
- Minnesota Women Lawyers Association
- Midwest Custody Project: Collaboration of Legal and Mental Health Professionals
- National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Board of Examiners
- CHRYSALIS, 1982 - Present
- Women's Center Legal Advice Clinics
- Responses To End Abuse Of Children, Inc., 1983 - 1986
- Vice President, Board of Directors
- Minnesota Institute Of Black Chemical Abuse, 1982 - 1985
- Member, Board of Directors
- International Institute For Interracial Interaction/Interrace, 1988 - Present
- Board of Directors
- Past Employment Positions:
- Mahoney,Walling & Kelley, Officer, 1987 - 1990
- Private Practice, Sole Practitioner, 1981 - 1987
- Minneapolis City Attorney Office, Assistant City Attorney, 1980 - 1981
- Fourth Judicial District Court, Arbitrator, 1995
- Pro Bono Activities:
- Volunteer Referee, Hennepin County Family Court, 1984
- Volunteer, Hennepin County Settlement Program
- Volunteer Lawyers Network
- Hennepin County Medical Society, Child Abuse Project, 1983
- "Reasonable Efforts", State of Minnesota, Department of Human Services
- Minneapolis Downtown Council - Pornography and Art: A Symposium, 1990
- Board of Directors, Women Venture, 1992 - 2000
- Secretary, Board of Directors, Women Venture, 1992 - 2000
- Board of Directors, Turning Point, Inc., 1993 - Present
- Vice Chairperson, Turning Point, Inc., 1994
