Deborah Bennett Berecz

President

Deb obtained her law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1993. She practices family law, concentrating on collaborative law and mediation. Deb is married to a clinical psychologist, and they are parents of three adult sons, 13 grandchildren (not a typo!). She enjoys international travel, studying Spanish, reading and pickleball. She would like to include knitting as a skill but currently she must be supervised. Deb has served the BCBA on the Facebook Action Team and on the executive committee as Secretary, Vice-President and currently serves as President. 

Thaddeus Hackworth

Vice President

Most attorneys spend their careers practicing law. Thaddeus achieved total mastery years ago and no longer needs the practice. He launched his legal reign in New York before returning to Michigan victorious in 2020.

Recently, while on safari in central Africa, he secured the release of a kidnapped mime from a syndicate of rogue mountain gorillas. The apes demanded an absurd volume of bananas. Thaddeus leaned on his municipal dispute resolution experience to settle the standoff for three papayas and a firm handshake. The mime remains speechless.

He lives in the best-run city in the world with his wife Emily, kids Clementine and Foster, and dog Scruffy. He sometimes drives a right-hand-drive Japanese mini truck. Try not to engage. Do not give him the attention he desperately craves.

Nate Harrington

Immediate Past President

Thaddeus Hackworth serves as Corporate Counsel for Berrien County. He brings a completely standard, unremarkable set of skills to the leadership team.

Most attorneys spend their entire careers just practicing law. Thaddeus achieved total mastery of the subject years ago and no longer needs the practice. After graduating from law school at Georgetown University, he launched his legal career in New York City in 2004 working for the City of New York and private firms before returning victorious to his Michigan homeland in 2020. When he steps away from County business, you will find him driving around in his right-hand-drive Japanese mini truck. Try not to engage. Do not give him the attention he so desperately craves.

He lives in the best-run city in the world with his incredible wife Emily, his adoring children Clementine and Foster, and a little mutt named Scruffy.

Bob Schlacks

Treasurer

Bob Schlacks was born in Southwest Michigan. He lived and learned in Illinois but returned every summer to stay with family in Van Buren County. Bob graduated from The John Marshall Law School (now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) and practiced injury law in Chicago for 8 years. Bob and his wife later returned to St. Joseph, where he spent three years practicing criminal defense with the Berrien County Public Defender’s Office, building significant courtroom experience. His focus returned to civil litigation joining Conybeare Accident & Injury Lawyers. Bob and his wife are raising their four children in Southwest Michigan and are active in the community, often spending time at the Curious Kids’ Museum, local soccer fields, and the beaches along Lake Michigan. 

Amy Byrd

Secretary

Amy Byrd was elected Berrien County Prosecuting Attorney in 2024 after serving as an assistant prosecuting attorney for sixteen years. Amy represents the Prosecutor’s Office on the Drug Treatment Court and serves on the Opioid Taskforce, working with community partners to address substance abuse and addiction.  In 2024 she was named Team Member of the Year by the Children’s Advocacy Center for her dedication to seeking justice for child survivors of sexual abuse.  Her commitment to community safety also extends to training law enforcement and fellow prosecuting attorneys on best practices and updates to the law, as well as speaking with middle and high-school students about the inherent legal dangers of digital media in its various forms.  In addition to serving on the Berrien County Bar Association board, Amy is also board member for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, and a member of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary.  Amy is a native of Berrien County who lives on her family’s farm with her two children.