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Perry Scott Smith Jr.

39 years of experience
Social Security Disability, Estate Planning, Probate ...
Illinois

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Biography

Perry Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Education from Loyola University of Chicago in 1977 and a Juris Doctor degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law, in 1985. He is also a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

He began working for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in late 1985. During his time in that office he worked in the Traffic, Misdemeanor, and Felony Review Divisions before spending more than three years in the Felony Trial Division. He left that office at Labor Day 1990 and began his association with Bernard Wysocki.

Mr. Smith does estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney for both health care and property, transfer on death instruments, and DNRs) and litigation. He handles the following areas of practice:
• Social Security disability claims
• Personal injury claims
• Probate for decedent’s estates
• Guardianships for disabled persons and minors
• Family law
• Construction litigation and mechanic’s liens for both contractors and property owners
• Eminent domain for property owners
• Contract litigation

Mr. Smith was admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois in 1985, the general bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1989, and its trial bar in 1990. He was admitted to the bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in 1989, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in 2000, and the United States Supreme Court in 2001.

Mr. Smith is currently the Treasurer of the Lake County Bar Foundation (the charitable wing of the Bar Association). He is also a past President and Treasurer of the Lake County Bar Association and a past Delegate to the Illinois Bar Association Assembly. He is also a certified distance running coach through the Road Runners Club of America and is both a member and the coach of the Grayslake Running Club and an avid golfer and bowler.

Practice Areas

Social Security Disability

Estate Planning: Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Probate: Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Personal Injury: Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Family Law: Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Additional Practice Areas

Emminent Domain
Mechanic's Liens

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Illinois: Supreme Court of Illinois; ID Number: 6190320
Since 1985

7th Circuit
Since 1989

U.S. Supreme Court
Since 2001

United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Since 2000

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Since 1989

Professional Experience

Special Assistant Attorney General: Illinois Attorney General's Office; 1991 - 2006

Assistant State's Attorney: Lake County State's Attorney's Office; 1985 - 1990

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology: J.D. (1985) | Law; 1981 - 1985; Honors: Dean's List

Loyola University Chicago: B.S. (1977) | Biology & Education; 1972 - 1977; Honors: Deans List; Activities: Varsity Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track