Attorney Bio & Practice Areas
Rebecca J. Berfanger, J.D., M.S.J.
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
Please note I'm not accepting new clients at this time. If we have previously worked together and you need to reach me or wish to discuss new legal representation, please email me at the email you have previously used, or RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com. If you are seeking legal counsel and we have not previously worked together, please contact your local bar association, indybar.org or inbar.org for resources to connect to lawyers in your area.
However, I am accepting new research and writing assignments from lawyers, writers and other professionals as I have the time and capacity for contract assignments.
Why Should I Hire Someone With A Journalism Background?
I use 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 in December 2000, I was the associate editor for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, and I contributed articles to other publications and websites for Lawyers Weekly, Inc., based in Boston, Mass. (2001-04). I earned a Master’s of Science in Journalism (Magazine Publishing) from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., with an assignment in the Medill Newsroom in Washington, D.C. (MSJ; May 2004 - March 2005). From Spring 2005 until Summer 2012, I freelanced and worked full-time for Indianapolis publications, including: NUVO (Spring 2005), The Indianapolis Star’s INTake publication (2005-06); Indiana Lawyer and Indianapolis Business Journal (2006-11); and Indianapolis Monthly (2011-12).
After leaving full-time journalism as a law student, I continued to contribute articles to Indianapolis Monthly, NUVO, Columbus Magazine (Indiana), SOUTH (Indy’s Southside Magazine), Res Gestae (Indiana State Bar Association), Indiana Lawyer, Indianapolis Business Journal, and Mirror Indy (Free Press Indiana). Much of my freelance writing has been about performing and visual artists, photographers, writers, film, local and nationally touring comedians, and local arts and non-profit organizations.
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
Legal Experience:
As an attorney for individual clients throughout Indiana but mostly in Marion County and surrounding counties, I’ve represented clients on a variety of civil legal needs, but focus on: Probate and Estate Planning, Family Law, and Small Businesses (LLCs, contracts, lease 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; as well as estates that the State of Indiana would consider to be “small estates” that don’t always require probate.
I also have assisted many Central Indiana families, occasionally 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 regarding their loved ones and themselves. I typically offer a package that includes: legal advice, drafting and execution of Wills, Durable Power of Attorney for Financial decisions, Advance Directives for Health Care decisions, planning for Standby/Emergency Guardianships for minor children, and answering other questions and concerns they have to make the process as simple as possible.
FAMILY LAW:
While I’m not taking on new Family Law clients as of Spring 2025, my experience has included uncontested adoptions, divorces, and custody modifications.
As a Registered Mediator in Indiana since February 2020, my goal is to keep my clients out of court, as much as possible. This has included settlement agreements, also known as “kitchen table negotiations.” Staying out of court solves at least three issues: 1. It is more cost-effective, with fewer legal fees for both parties; 2. Parties can come up with creative solutions that a court might be less likely to consider, and; 3. It helps parties keep as much private information out of public records as possible.
As mediator, I cannot provide legal advice, but can help negotiate mutually acceptable agreements to maintain amicable relationships, and potentially save clients money and time in court costs. I can also file documents as mediator after agreements have been reached by the parties, and I will be upfront about any associated costs, including amount of time I expect your case will take. (While each case is different, several of my clients have been able to settle their divorces or modifications with just one or two meetings.)
I have also served as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) on divorce and post-divorce matters, both as volunteer/pro bono GAL for cases where Kids’ Voice has been appointed, and as a paid court-appointed GAL for modest means cases.
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; depends on availability)
Quick contact: RJB@rjberfangerlaw.com
OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE:
Recent and Current Adjunct Professor:
Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
Media Law & Ethics (Fall 2015 - Spring 2025)
News Editing (Spring 2022 - Fall 2025)
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)
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
