Decatur Lawyers

Since 1993, we've been helping the accused by listening, preparing, protecting, and caring. Founded in Minneapolis in 1993, we have devoted our practice to only criminal defense. You will be asked to be a part of our team, as no one knows the facts better than you. Together we will gather all the evidence, hidden and apparent, the forgotten, and your discoveries. We will not pressure you to plead guilty, and we will brainstorm together to figure out the best course of action: trial or no trial. Allow us the opportunity to listen to you, work with you, fight for...

With over 35 years of experience, Andy Hale is a seasoned trial attorney and has been involved in numerous high-profile cases. Mr. Hale represents clients in a wide variety of civil rights matters, including wrongful convictions. Mr. Hale seeks to shine a light on cases of injustice and he is also a documentary film producer ("A Murder In The Park" and "White Boy") and podcaster ("The Starved Rock Murders with Andy Hale"). His cases frequently appear in various forms of media, such as HBO's "The Murders at Starved Rock." Mr. Hale is a member of the State bars of Illinois, California, and Florida.

A former prosecutor, I gained insight into what the government looks at when prosecuting defendants. I have successfully conducted many jury trials (133+). From Murder to Drug Trafficking to DUI I have won my clients cases. Let my 26 years of trial experience work for you. My practice is primarily criminal defense oriented. Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Macoupin, Monroe, Montgomery, Clinton, Calhoun, Fayette and Bond counties are the counties I concentrate in. Unlike other attorneys, we don't practice in other areas such as bankruptcy, collections, or small claims. We prefer to concentrate...

Jeremy Sackett is a former prosecutor with over 15 years of courtroom intensive experience. He now represents clients in matters of criminal defense, personal injury, traffic violations, DUI's, evictions, orders of protection, and expungements.

Blake Behme Gilbreth Links, P.C. has offices in Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Carlyle and Effingham, Illinois. AREAS OF PRACTICE: Probate Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Estate Planning, including Business, Child Custody, Child Support, Collaborative Divorce, Commercial Real Estate, Consume Protection, Debt Settlement, Divorce, Divorce Mediation, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Breaches of Fiduciary Duty, Family, Foreclosure, Landlord/Tenant, Legal Malpractice, Litigation, Civil Lawsuits, Military Divorce, Nursing Home, Personal Injury, Probate, Estate Settlement, Real Estate, Securities, DCFS, Tax, Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois Department of Employment Security and White Collar Crime.

Since obtaining my license in 2008, I have dedicated my career to representing numerous financial institutions, focusing on enforcing their security interests. Over the last decade, I have supported community banks through complex commercial workouts, dealing with sophisticated financial products. My litigation experience extends to contested contract cases based on various legal theories. I have been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and an Emerging Lawyer by Leading Lawyers since 2015. My practice primarily involves representing secured creditors in all facets of commercial loan enforcement, from initiating commercial workouts to enforcing judgments. I frequently write on these subjects and...

Shawn Barnett is a skilled litigator and trial attorney who is dedicated to helping those who have been victimized by law enforcement or correctional officers. He has received multiple million-dollar settlements for his clients and has been recognized as an Illinois Rising Star multiple times. During his time as an attorney, Shawn has represented numerous clients who have been injured by those who have abused their authority. He has vigorously pursued a wide variety of claims on behalf of his clients, including false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, wrongful death, and sexual assault. Shawn has a particular focus on police involved...

Rob became licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2009. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, one of only approximately 340 attorneys in the U.S. and Canada. According to their website, members are experts in the complexities of adoption law and the variety of interstate and international regulations surrounding adoption*, and must maintain their practice according to the highest standards of ethics, competence and professionalism. Rob is also a member of the Peoria County Bar Association, chairing and assisting in a number of committees; the American Bar Association; and a Barrister in the...

Bill R. Tapella practices in the area of civil litigation, including medical malpractice, significant personal injuries, trucking accidents, railroad crossing accidents, wrongful death matters, product liability, and other tort litigation cases. Bill grew up in Herrin, Illinois and attended Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Southern Illinois University in 1981 and then went on to receive his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. While there, he received numerous academic honors, including admission to the Order of Coif, designation as a Harno Scholar, and ultimately graduated Magna Cum...

Jeffrey R. Hall has practiced law since 2004, concentrating in the area of Criminal Law, DUI/DWI and Traffic Law. He began working as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County, IL. Prior to that service, Mr. Hall worked as an intern/clerk at the venerable law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs, LLC where he handled matters in Real Estate and Business. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, Mr. Hall prosecuted in the traffic and misdemeanor divisions, as well as the Felony Traffic Division. Mr. Hall gained experience as an aggressive trial attorney winning most of his...

James T. Reilly has been practicing since 1979. He is an experienced trial lawyer with over fifty jury cases tried to verdict. He concentrates his practice in both civil and criminal litigation. Jury awards include medical malpractice, wrongful death, fraud prosecution and various types of personal injuries. He has defended cases in criminal courts ranging from fitness trials in murder cases to DUI’s. In addition to these, he has successfully defended persons charged with arson, aggravated battery, drug offenses and other felonies and misdemeanors.

Reilly has served as a LaSalle County Assistant Public Defender since 2000. He represents clients before the...

Attorney Michael Throneberry has been pursuing cases on behalf of mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer victims for nearly two decades. He is involved in every case the Firm takes on and is involved preparing clients for depositions, directing discovery, and negotiating the best outcome for the clients. Attorney Throneberry began practicing law at a large firm in St. Louis where he focused on commercial litigation litigating cases on behalf of individuals, small businesses and multi-national companies. After losing his father-in-law to mesothelioma, Attorney Throneberry began to focus exclusively on helping the victims of asbestos exposure, which primarily...

Joel Beckwith obtained his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2009, where he studied philosophy and political science. He later attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he obtained his law degree. As a student in his third year of law school his legal commentary was selected and published in the Journal of Legal Medicine. He has since practiced in the areas of personal injury, insurance defense, class actions and traffic law. He is an experienced jury trial lawyer. Mr. Beckwith is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Missouri, and is a current associate attorney at Rynearson,...

When faced with the hard times and decisions that come with a family law matter, the most comforting aspect is having an attorney that cares about the situation and how the best way it can be handled. Andrew Rankin always has the best interest of the client in mind, and manages the family law situation with authentic care. Drew is originally from Highland, Illinois. Drew is a Partner at Stange Law Firm, who manages the East Region of the Firm, including all of the Illinois offices and the Arnold, Missouri office of the firm. Drew has been with Stange Law Firm...

Jennifer Bunker Skerston has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the Editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts and estates....

native of central Illinois, Attorney, Jerry A. Tuffentsamer, was raised in the local small community of Manito, Illinois. Prior to attending law school, Jerry worked for several years in the central Illinois as union construction laborer out of the Laborers’ International Union, Local 231. As a union laborer, Jerry worked several years for a local commercial concrete and masonry company.

Jerry received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies/Pre-law from Southern Illinois University in 2008. Jerry then received his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2011. While in law school, Jerry was a member of...

Brian Monico is a skilled litigator who is dedicated to serving those in wrongful death, professional malpractice, personal injury, and civil rights cases.

He graduated from the Loyola University School of Law and has since become a leader in the development and use of computer-generated graphics and electronic presentations to juries. He has been recognized by the Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers multiple times, as well as being the #1 Lawyer Under 40 by Emerging Lawyers in 2016.

He has extensive experience doing plaintiff's personal injury work and has used this experience to help those in all types of personal injury...

Karl J. Wulff, (BA ’93, JD ’96) is the firm’s principal attorney. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Webster University in 1993. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1996. Prior to attending university Mr. Wulff served in the United States Navy on board the amphibious assault aircraft carrier U.S.S. Tripoli (LPH-10) in the air department from 1987 to 1989 and later on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-60) as a reservist, earning the Sea Service Ribbon and the National Defense Medal. Mr. Wulff is a member of the National...

John Chwarzynski is an experienced Illinois attorney who focuses his practice on representing clients in wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, sexual assault, and automobile cases.

John joined Hale & Monico as a trial lawyer in 2019 after working at a well-respected personal injury firm in Chicago. John is known for his exceptional work ethic, charisma, and writing skills. He has successfully argued motions in both state and federal court.

Call or visit his website for more information.

Bill Gullberg is an experienced litigator in a range of legal matters. In addition to being licensed to practice law in Illinois, Bill is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the federal district bar of the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and the federal trial bar of the Northern District of Illinois. The difference Bill brings to the case is a passion for representing the rights, freedom, and property of his clients. Experience and professionalism is one thing - experience and professionalism with a true passion and focus for achieving a just and...

Mary Ludwig received her J.D. and M.B.A., along with a Certificate in Food and Agricultural Law from Drake University in 2005. Prior to that she received a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Economics from the University of Illinois. Mary concentrates her practice in agricultural law, estate planning, real estate transactions and probate. Her agricultural law experience includes organization and representation of production agricultural farm operations, agricultural cooperatives, grain elevators, agricultural input suppliers, ethanol and bio-diesel plants, and specialty farm product companies, wind tower and cell tower leases and easements, pipeline, gas, public utility and fiber optic easements,...

Seth A. Albin focuses his practice on the areas of Bankruptcy, including representing individuals and businesses, Creditor’s Rights, Family Law, including all aspects of divorce and adoption, including child custody, child support, maintenance, spousal support, and modifications, Enforcement and Collection of Judgments including replevin, garnishments and executions, Secured Transactions, Arbitration, Litigation, and Municipal Law.

Before joining Summers Compton Wells, Seth worked at one of the largest law firms in St. Louis and served as in-house counsel for a commercial lender. He has represented secured and unsecured creditors and debtors in all aspects of the debtor-creditor relationship, including work outs, debt...

Amy F. Spector is a managing partner with Hicks & Spector, L.L.C. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois . Ms. Spector holds a B.S. in Business Administration from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she majored in Marketing and minored in Psychology. Ms. Spector received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, Illinois, where she was an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, as well as the student division of the American Bar Association.

After law school, Ms. Spector went on...

Attorney Charles Armbruster has 25 years of experience traveling the country and representing the rights of injured individuals. His outstanding track record includes 17 cases that reached a recovery of at least $1 million. He has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts for personal injury clients in 22 different states. Other law firms have asked him to serve as lead trial counsel in their cases due to his extensive and successful skills and experience inside the courtroom. Attorney Charles Armbruster has 25 years of experience traveling the country and representing the rights of injured individuals. His outstanding track record includes 17...

I bring an ivory tower legal education from Washington University and over 44 years of courtroom experience to down to earth people. In 2004 I was named the Illinois Downstate Chairperson for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers. I am also a founding member of the Bankruptcy Law Network legal blog along with about 20some attorney friends. We wrote a free legal blog containing hundreds of pages of articles about bankruptcy, but blogs got boring, so I pivoted to my free JustAMinit Law You Tube video channel, where I post minute, or so, videos about ways you...

As an attorney licensed in Illinois and Indiana, my practice involves working with individuals and businesses to address their legal questions. In my practice, I typically assist and address legal issues regarding business formation, corporate issues, and general business. I work directly with my clients to address their legal matters. My goal is to become a trusted advisor to assist clients in addressing their legal needs.

About Bill

Bill is a Southern Illinois native. He and his wife live in the Carbondale area with their five children. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He later earned Masters’ degrees in Special Education and Counseling Psychology, from McKendree University. He in Special Education classrooms in public and private schools.

Later, Bill worked as a counselor-intern for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and as a clinician for Chestnut Health Systems. He provided mental health and addiction recovery services, clinical analysis, and employee assistance support. His clients included Federal and State probation,...

Bill was born and raised in Peoria, IL. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. degree in Government. He received his law degree (JD) at the University of Iowa graduating with honors. He has been practicing law in Central Illinois since his graduation and admission into the Illinois Bar. Legal ability and ethical standards ratings are published each year by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.Bill has the highest possible rating of AV. The legal ability rating is "A" which means he is rated as very high to preeminent. The "V" rating means that he embraces faithful adherence...

John D. Simmons is founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, headquartered in Alton, Illinois. The firm also has offices in Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; and St. Louis, Missouri. Simmons focuses his practice entirely on personal injury litigation, representing people harmed by asbestos-related diseases. Simmons and the firm have litigated some of the largest verdicts in the history of asbestos litigation.The firm’s first trial involved asbestos and a former roofer who was diagnosed with mesothelioma and resulted in a $34.1 million verdict. The firm later secured a $250 million verdict in another...