Chicago, IL (October 1, 2025) − Venable LLP announced today that David Berek has joined the firm as a partner in the Private Wealth Planning Practice in the firm’s Chicago office. Mr. Berek advises wealthy families, closely held and family-owned businesses, corporate executives, and privately owned family offices on advanced wealth planning and sophisticated transfer-tax strategies, including cross-border and international estate planning.
“We are excited to welcome David,” added Ken Roberts, partner-in-charge of Venable’s Chicago office. “David’s arrival enhances our ability to deliver holistic counsel to entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and multigenerational families across Chicago and beyond.”
“David is a unique combination of strategic counselor, technician, and educator,” said Sandra Newman, partner in Venable’s Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Private Wealth Planning Practice. “His deep experience guiding single- and multi-family offices and advising ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex domestic and international issues will immediately benefit our clients and strengthen our platform in Chicago and across the firm.”
An accomplished author and educator, Mr. Berek is a co-author of the LexisNexis treatise “Illinois Estate Planning, Will Drafting and Estate Administration Forms with Practical Commentary” and the author of CCH’s “Federal Income Taxation of Decedents, Estates and Trusts.” He has served as an adjunct professor in DePaul University’s Master of Science in Wealth Management, Master of Science in Taxation, and the LL.M. Graduate Tax programs.
“I’m thrilled to join Venable’s collaborative, client-first culture,” Berek said. “The firm’s sophisticated tax, corporate, litigation, and regulatory platforms—paired with a top-tier private wealth planning team—create an ideal home to help families and family offices navigate complex domestic and international planning.”
Mr. Berek holds an LL.M. in International Taxation from New York University School of Law, a J.D., cum laude, and an LL.M in Employee Benefits, with honors, from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and a B.S. in Accountancy from DePaul University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™ and has held multiple leadership posts within national and Illinois bar associations.
This year, Venable’s Chicago office celebrates its fifth anniversary and the firm’s 125th. Since opening in 2021, the Chicago office has more than doubled its presence with the addition of top attorney talent and business professionals. Read more about the history and future of the Chicago office here.
###
Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, which serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 900 professionals across the country, including in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.