Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

My practice is limited primarily to two areas, driver's license reinstatement and worker's compensation/personal injury. My background affords you a unique perspective.

For 15 years, I heard driver's license cases as a contractual hearing officer for the Secretary of State (DMV). I previously represented insurance companies defending worker's compensation and personal injury cases. These experiences have provided me with the opportunity to understand how the opposing side thinks and operates.

I strive to provide the best possible professional services to each individual client while maintaining a level of commitment rarely experienced in today's legal and business arenas. Despite the current climate of apathy and sterility that seems to prevail in corporate America and the law, I adhere to the enduring philosophy that honesty, commitment, and personal service are the starting points for any good attorney-client relationship. Such a philosophy is necessary to protect my clients and establish the trust that is such a necessary component of the attorney-client relationship. Having been a licensed attorney for over ten years now, I pride myself on putting my clients needs first and doing anything possible to be their advocate. In this regard, I have exceptionally strong skills in the areas of legal research, analysis, writing and advocacy.

I began my legal career as a Law Clerk for Judge Joseph Barr in the late 1970's. From there, I worked at Dunham, Bowman & Leskera as their Law clerk till January of 1981 when I became an Assistant States Attorney for Madison County Illinois. My tour of duty there lasted 4 years. From January 1985 through December 1996, my legal career had been with both Attorney Ben Allen and Doug Mendenhall. Effective January 1, 1997 I am a solo practitioner, and handle all sorts of legal matters, specializing in Plaintiffs Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. I provide full service legal representation, and can handle most every legal matter you will face in an expert manner. I have been in practice in Madison County, Illinois for over 28 years now, and am well versed in different diverse and overlapping fields of law. Concentrating in State & Federal Criminal Defense work, and am or have been a Public Defender for both our Local State & Federal Courts.

The office generally is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday. As I am often in court I ask you call first, and I always return phone calls. For general misdemeanor and traffic matters fees range from $150.00 for a simple speeding ticket, to $400.00 for most simple first time misdemeanors like battery or assault, and $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 for first time DUI's or other more serious misdemeanors, this is a general fee base.

The Bankruptcy Laws changed drastically on October 17, 2005! For chapter 7 Bankruptcy's my fees due to the change in the law & my services after that date as a Debt Relief Agency under that statute will start at $1,000.00 Attorney's fee, with the court fee of $300.00. There will be a Credit Counseling Course, you must take before and after the bankruptcy being filed and you are responsible for paying that. Lastly, we can run a credit report if you request, $30.00 for individuals, $50.00 for a married couple. More complicated cases in Bankruptcy of course require more than the $1,000.00 Attorney's fee for the new Chapter 7 cases after October 17, 2005. As required by statute "We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code."

For most divorce and family matters, as well as civil defense I charge at the rate of $200.00 per hour, plus expenses, and generally require a minimum cash retainer of $750.00, and depending on the case, more. For State Felonies, the fees are $1,000.00 to $2,5000.00 for simple first time non-violent felonies, on up, and the fee is negotiable, based upon the accused's record and the severity of the charge.

For Federal Felonies, the fees start at $2500.00 for simple first time non-violent felonies, on up, and the fee is negotiable, based upon the accused's record and the severity of the charge.

Areas of Practice
Bankruptcy Law
Discrimination
Criminal Law
DUI/DWI
Traffic Violations
White Collar Crimes
Employment Law -- Employee
Estate Planning
Trusts
Wills
Family Law
Child Support
Custody & Visitation
Divorce
Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff
Medical Malpractice
Workers' Compensation Law
Litigation Percentage
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1981
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1997
Education
Saint Louis University School of Law, St Louis, Missouri

Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1981
St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri

A.B. - 1978
Major: Political Science
Representative Clients
Madison County, Special Public Defender Since 1997
Panel Attorney, CJA, Southern District of Illinois, 1997
References
Bob Means, Madison County Merit Commission
Wood River Ford, Inc.
Dr. E. J. Diestelkamp
Classes/Seminars
Asst. Professor, Lewis & Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL, 1985 - Present
Honors and Awards
Outstanding Young Men of America, 1983
Professional Associations and Memberships
Godfrey Village, Trustee, 1993 - 1999
Past Employment Positions
Madison County States Attorney Office, Assistant States Attorney, 1981 - 1985
Smith, Allen, Merderhall, Delaney & Assoc, Partner, 1985 -