On October 27th, 2024 the wife of former Duane Morris tax partner Adam P. Beckerink, Caitlin Tracey, was found dead in the stairwell of Beckerink’s apartment building in Chicago’s South Loop. Tracey’s severed foot was found nearby.
Exactly one year later, Cook County prosecutors issued an arrest warrant accusing Beckerink of throwing Tracey over the stairwell railing in his apartment building where she fell 24 floors to her death.
After Tracey’s death, the allegations of abuse she made against her husband became public. Duane Morris removed Beckerink from the partnership, saying, “This is a shocking and tragic case, and we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlin Tracey. Our firm was not aware of the domestic violence and other allegations against Adam Beckerink asserted in various legal proceedings until recent media accounts of her death. Once we confirmed key facts, the partners board swiftly removed Adam as a partner of Duane Morris LLP. He is no longer associated with our firm.”
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This summer, Beckerink pleaded no contest to charges he abused Tracey, and interfered with a call she made to 911. Additionally, Beckerink entered a guilty plea to a contempt of court charge for violating a no contact order. The charges stem from a 2024 incident two months before Tracey was found dead. Beckerink is currently serving three months in a Michigan jail on those charges. Tracey’s family issued a victim impact statement during sentencing. “The defendant pled no contest to this case so he could avoid describing the brutal acts and crimes he inflicted on Caitlin,” Monica Tracey said. “Judge, please know that our daughter never stood a chance against this brute. She was only 4’11”. She weighed 103 pounds.”
“Instead of meeting our daughter for dinner, my husband and I visit her grave,” Monica Tracey continued. “There is no justice that can heal our pain, no means to bring her back, or to take away the physical and mental brutality this monster caused her.
If you’re a victim of familial or domestic violence, reach out if you need help. If you feel that you are in immediate danger, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Earlier: Biglaw Partner Removed From Firm After Wife’s Remains Found In Stairwell
Former Biglaw Partner Pleads No Contest To Domestic Abuse Charges Against Dead Wife
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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].