Rachel Hernandez

Known for promoting innovative 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, & the Community Crisis Center Board of Directors.

Northern Illinois University, College of Law

J.D. (2005) | Law

2002 - 2005

The Northern Illinois University College of Law (NIU Law) is renowned for its personalized attention, value, bar passage and employment, & its proximity to the major metropolitan area of Chicago. The Northern Illinois University College of Law (NIU Law) is at the heart of a diverse and active university campus of over 17,000 students on the western edge of the Chicago metropolitan area in DeKalb, Illinois, home to more than 400 major corporate headquarters, including 31 in the Fortune 500.

Honors: Outstanding Woman 2005 Dean's Scholar 2005 Dean's Scholar 2004 Dean's Scholar 2003 Dean's Scholar 2002

Western Illinois University

B.S. (1997) | Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

1995 - 1997

The Western Illinois University Law Enforcement and Justice Administration one of a kind, offering numerous advantages to its students. The program is an internationally known top criminal justice/public safety program, available 100% online or in a traditional on-campus setting, includes diverse, academically qualified and experienced faculty with a wide array of criminal justice/public safety expertise, and allows students to receive academic education with real world practical application.

Partner, Founding Attorney, & Collaborative Professional Mediator

Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC: Family Law | Uncontested Divorce | Collaborative Divorce | Child Issues | Mediation | Domestic Violence | Guardian Ad Litem | Limited Scope Representation

2016 - Current

The collaborative law professionals at Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC are ready to resolve family-related legal disputes. Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC is available to offer legal guidance pertaining to collaborative divorce, family law, uncontested divorce, child issues, mediation, domestic violence, guardian ad litem, parenting coordination, limited scope representation, & mid-marital agreements. Through our offices in St. Charles, Illinois and Sycamore, Illinois, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC provides guidance to Geneva, Batavia, Elgin, Aurora, North Aurora, Sleepy Hollow, Campton Hills, Elburn, Sugar Grove, Algonquin, Dundee, Bartlett, Barrington Hills, Big Rock, Burlington, Carpentersville, Gilberts, Hoffman Estates, Hampshire, Huntley, Kaneville, Pingree Grove, Wayne, Sycamore, DeKalb, Cortland, Somonauk, Sandwich, & Genoa. To learn about Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, call (630) 888-0017 or email Rachel at Rachel@LawBHH.com.

Attorney

Hernandez Hoag Legal Soutions, LLC

2016 - 2018

Of Counsel Attorney

Van Der Snick Law Firm

2015 - 2018

Rachel Nicole Hernandez acted as Of Counsel for the Van Der Snick Law Firm, assisting them with the following legal concentrations: Mediation, Orders of Protection, Stalking No Contact Orders, Divorce, Marital Settlement Agreements, Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities, Child Support Maintenance, Unallocated Child Support, Modification of Orders, Guardianship, Criminal Defense, Traffic and DUI, and Juvenile Law

Attorney & Mediator

Rachel Hernandez

2008 - 2016

Since leaving her full-time position as an Assistant State's Attorney in 2008 in order to care for her family, Rachel Nicole Hernandez performed a variety of legal services on a contractual basis for the government. In addition, Rachel Nicole Hernandez worked with private attorneys in the areas of criminal and family law. Rachel Nicole Hernandez also provided pro bono services through Prairie State Legal Services and the Domestic Violence Ministry at St. John Neumann Church. This work provided Rachel Nicole Hernandez with the opportunities to be published in the DuPage County Law Journal, serve on the Northern Illinois University College of Law Alumni Council, participate and to participate as a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association, and the St. Charles Mothers' Club. As a collaborative law and family law attorney with roots tied to the St. Charles and DeKalb areas, Rachel Nicole Hernandez’s goal was to raise her family while serving her community.

Assistant State's Attorney, Felony Assistant, & Supervisor

Winnebago County State's Attorney

2006 - 2008

Rachel Nicole Hernandez was assigned to the Felony Trial Unit to handle all aspects of felony criminal cases scheduled for jury trial. Additionally, Rachel Nicole Hernandez was assigned to supervise the felony pretrial unit. While doing so, Rachel Nicole Hernandez managed five attorneys in handling all aspects of felony case review, daily bond court, and daily felony court for cases not assigned to the felony trial calendar. This experience provided Rachel Nicole Hernandez the opportunity to serve as the liaison to the felony trial unit and the leadership team.

Assistant State's Attorney & Misdemeanor Assistant

Boone County State's Attorney

2005 - 2006

Rachel Nicole Hernandez was assigned to prosecute criminal misdemeanors including domestic battery, DUI’s, and all other misdemeanor charges. Also, Rachel Nicole Hernandez was responsible for juvenile abuse & neglect petitions and public health violation cases for Boone County.

Intern Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 711

Kane County State's Attorney

2003 - 2005

Rachel Nicole Hernandez received duties as assigned within the State's Attorney's Office under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

Resource Developer & Events Coordinator

Community Crisis Center

1999 - 2002

Fraud Investigator & Information Security

HSBC

1997 - 1999

DIY Divorce: Details About the Process

Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC

June 24, 2020

Co-Parenting & Behavior Under the Executive Order

Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC

April 13, 2020

"Stay-at-Home" for Co-Parents: Illinois Governor Pritzker Executive Order of March 20th, 2020

Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC

March 23, 2020

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

SplitReady

July 25, 2019

The Illinois Collaborative Process Act: A Positive Alternative to Litigation for Family Disputes

DuPage County Bar Association Brief

September 19, 2018

The Illinois Collaborative Process Act & The Nuts and Bolts of Collaborative Practice, Spring Family Law Seminar, Eagle Brook Country Club

May 2018

Kane County Bar Association

Discussion of the Collaborative Process Act as well as collaborative practice history and expansion throughout the world. Benefits of keeping families out of court.

Kane County Bar Association, Peskind Memorial Family Law Seminar, Eagle Brook Country Club

November 21, 2019

Kane County Bar Association

Children in Mediation Process.

Continuing Legal Education Seminars to other attorneys regarding criminal and civil updates

DeKalb County Bar Association (DCBA) Admittance

DeKalb County Bar Association (DCBA)

Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Admittance

Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)

Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) Admittance

Kane County Bar Association (KCBA)

Mentor of the Year

Northern Illinois University College of Law

2011

Outstanding Woman

Northern Illinois University

2005

Dean's Scholar

Northern Illinois University

2005

Dean's Scholar

Northern Illinois University

2004

Dean's Scholar

Northern Illinois University

2003

St. Charles Mothers' Club

Vice President, Public Relations Chair

Current

Activities: Member of the Fundraising Committee and the Holiday Food and Gift Committee

St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church

Volunteer

Current

Activities: While acting as a volunteer for the St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, Rachel Nicole Hernandez assisted with the Prison Ministry and the Domestic Violence Ministry.

Illinois State Bar Association  # 6286394

Member

Current

International Association of Collaborative Professionals

Member

Current

Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois

Member

Current

Illinois

Supreme Court of Illinois

Since 2005

• Free Consultation
  As a collaborative professionals, we are ready to help resolve family related legal disputes without court. This is what we do. We are currently offering both current and prospective clients in-person or video-conferencing options. We are available to coordinate consultations pertaining to family law, divorce law, collaborative divorce, mediation, guardian ad litem, uncontested divorce, limited scope representation, mid-marital agreements, and parenting coordination as needed.

• Collaborative Family Law
• Mediation
• Guardian Ad Litem
• Parenting Coordination
• Uncontested Divorce