Attorney Bio & Practice Areas
Rebecca J. Berfanger, J.D., M.S.J.
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
Please note: I'm accepting new clients at this time on a limited basis (Updated: August 2026). See Client Services for more details. I will do my best to respond within 1-2 business days. An email, call, voicemail or text does not automatically constitute an attorney-client relationship.
If you have a pending case and/or upcoming hearing that needs immediate legal assistance, please contact your local bar association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, or visit the Indiana State Bar’s directory of attorneys: https://inbar.reliaguide.com/home, for an attorney who can assist you.
Legal Research and Writing for other attorneys, writers and other professionals: I am always accepting new projects on a contract basis. See Legal Research and Writing Projects for more details.
Why Should You Hire Someone With A Journalism Background?
I apply my skills from 25+ years as a professional journalist to provide legal research and writing services to my clients, as well as other attorneys in a variety of practice areas on a project-by-project (contract) basis. I’ve also provided background research for books and articles for other journalists as a contract researcher and fact-checker. Contract work for other attorneys includes assistance with Appellate Briefs, Motions for Summary Judgment, and general research on a variety of practice areas.
After I earned my B.A. from Ball State University in Journalism (Magazine Concentration) and French, I worked in Boston, where I was the associate editor for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly (2001-04). I earned a Master’s of Science in Journalism in Magazine Publishing from the Medill School at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., spending the Spring of 2005 as a correspondent in the Medill Newsroom in Washington, D.C. (MSJ, 2005). Before starting law school, I worked full-time for Indiana Lawyer and Indianapolis Business Journal (2006-11); and Indianapolis Monthly (2011-12).
After leaving full-time journalism, I continued to contribute articles to Indianapolis Monthly, and started freelancing for Columbus Magazine (Indiana), SOUTH (Indy’s Southside Magazine), NUVO, Res Gestae (Indiana State Bar Association), Indiana Lawyer, Indianapolis Business Journal, and Mirror Indy (Free Press Indiana). My recent freelance writing has been about performing and visual arts, and non-profit organizations.
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
Legal Experience:
As an attorney for individual clients throughout Indiana, mostly in Marion County and surrounding counties, I’ve represented clients on a variety of civil legal needs, but my focus has been on: Probate Law and Estate Planning, Family Law, and Small Business needs (LLC formations, contract drafting and review).
PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING:
I have represented Personal Representatives, also known as “Executors,” who need an attorney to explain, file, and oversee their unsupervised Probate cases in Indiana. (Probate cases are fact-specific on how they need to be administered. Please seek legal advice for more information.)
I also have assisted many Central Indiana families, including multiple generations of the same family, with their Estate Planning needs. In my initial meeting, I will focus on each client’s individual needs and goals. I typically offer a package that includes: legal advice, drafting and execution of Wills, Durable Power of Attorney for Financial decisions, Advance Directives and Healthcare Power of Attorney, planning for Standby/Emergency Guardianships for minor children, and answering other questions and concerns that are unique to the clients’ needs.
FAMILY LAW:
My experience has included uncontested adoptions; contested and uncontested divorces and custody/parenting time/child support modifications.
I’ve been a Registered Mediator for family law matters in Indiana since February 2020. As a mediator, I cannot provide legal advice to either party, but I can help the parties negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement to maintain an amicable relationship. This also potentially saves clients money and time in court costs. (While each case is different, many clients have been able to settle their divorces or modifications without going to court. However, not every case or issue can be resolved by mediation.)
I have served as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) on divorce and post-divorce matters, both as a volunteer/pro bono GAL for cases where Kids’ Voice has been appointed, and as a court-appointed GAL for modest means families.
BUSINESS LAW:
As a small business owner, I enjoy helping other small business with a variety of needs. I have helped a variety of businesses with contracts: negotiations, drafting, and review (including lease review and drafting); LLC formations; partnership agreements; and general questions.
OTHER REPRESENTATION I HAVE DONE:
Name changes
Contract review and drafting
Expungements:
Misdemeanors
Non-violent, low-level felonies
Appeals (various practice areas; given the nature and timing of appeals, I am limited in how or when I represent clients on appeals)
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Professor:
Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Ind.
First Amendment Law (Summer 2019 - present)
Legal Writing for LLMs (Spring 2020 - Fall 2024)
Constitutional Law for LLMs (Spring 2024 & Spring 2025)
Indiana University - Indianapolis
Media Law for journalism and pre-law students (Fall 2025, Fall 2026)
Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
Media Law & Ethics (Fall 2015 - Spring 2025)
News Editing (Spring 2022 - Fall 2025)
Butler University - Lacy School of Business, Indianapolis, Ind.
Business Law & Ethics for MBA students (Fall 2023 & Fall 2024)
Community Involvement
Indianapolis Bar Association (since Fall 2011)
IndyBar Leaders Series (June 2021 - June 2022)
Indiana State Bar Association (since Fall 2011)
Leadership Development Academy (2018 Class)
Contributor to Res Gestae Magazine
Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee (2019-2024)
Indiana Bar Foundation — We The People, Volunteer Judge for Middle School Competition (2015 - 2019)
Indy Film Fest — Board of Directors (2019-2022; president 2021-2022); Volunteer (2011-2022)
STEP-UP, Inc. — Board of Directors (2008-2018)
Earth Charter Indiana — Board of Directors (2019-2020)
Theatre on the Square — Board of Directors (2016-2017)
Circle City Roller Derby — Events and Marketing Volunteer (2009-2016); Board of Directors (2015)
Indiana AIDS Walk — Events and Marketing Volunteer (2005-2010)
FBI Citizens Academy in Indianapolis — Class of 2010.
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
