Margie Heckard
Legal Assistant
Margie joined the Forward Legal Services team in October 2022. Margie came to us with many years of experience in the hospitality industry and brought with her an amazing work ethic and a positive outlook on life! As a legal assistant, she provides our clients with excellent customer service and prides herself on being compassionate and competent in providing assistance to her fellow team members and clients.
Outside of the office, Margie enjoys making homemade confections and spending time with her significant other, Ben and her nephew, Louie. Although, her favorite would her kitten, Dotty. Just don’t tell the humans!
Speeches & Presentations
Over 100 presentations to a variety of audiences including lawyers, judges, physicians, social workers, teachers, students, community based organizations, government agencies and the general public. Topics have included high net worth divorces, complex child custody disputes, psychological profiles of parents in child custody evaluations, child support for the self-employed or business owner, the enforceability of marital property agreements, alimony/maintenance with high net income parties; the unique legal issues in same-sex divorces, grandparent visitation rights, and resolving high conflict divorces. A few recent seminars in which Christopher has presented include:
- Understanding the New Relocation Statute, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Madison, October 18, 2019
- Family Law Update: Relocation Statute, State Bar Webcast, Madison, April 15, 2019
- Grandparent and Third-Party Visitation Rights, Wisconsin Judicial Education Seminar, Neenah, March 14, 2019
- The New Relocation Statute: When a Parent Wishes to Move Away, Milwaukee Bar Association, Milwaukee, February 25, 2019
- Staying Current on New Laws Regarding Child Support and Relocation of a Child, Wisconsin Judicial Education Seminar, Lake Geneva, November 1, 2018
- Gathering and Analyzing Financial Information in Divorce, National Business Institute, April 10, 2018
- Today’s Diversity and Inclusion Programs: Successes, Ethical Issues and Challenges, State Bar of Wisconsin, December 11, 2017
- Divorce Law: Handling Relocation Issues, National Business Institute National Teleconference, July 5, 2016
- “Divorce” for Unmarried Partners, State Bar of Wisconsin Webcast, May 2016
- Grandparent Visitation Rights, State Bar of Wisconsin Webcast, May 2016
- Case Law Update: Family Law, State Bar of Wisconsin Webcast, May 2016
- Wisconsin Child Support & Enforcement Conference, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, October 23, 2015
- Divorce 101: The Basics, Morgan Stanley, Inc., Middleton, Wisconsin, October 13, 2015
Honors
- Since 2014 Best Lawyers in America in the area of Family Law
- 2017 & 2018 Lawyers of Distinction
- 2015 Leader in the Law by the Wisconsin Law Journal
- 2015 Top 10 Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- 2006, 2007 & 2010 Rising Star designation with Law and Politics magazine
- 2005, 2007 & 2009 Volunteer Attorney of the Year from AIDS Network
- 2007 Executive Director’s Volunteer of Year Award from AIDS Network
- 2006 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Dane County Bar Association
- Admission into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Fellow – Fellows of Wisconsin Law Foundation
- Member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin
