Ellis Grove Lawyers

Providing compassionate and comprehensive bankruptcy services to consumer debtors for over 20 years: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Protection

Jerry F. Costello is committed to managing cases related to personal injury litigation, with a focus on individuals who experience injuries resulting from the negligence of others or workplace incidents. He is dedicated to skillfully protecting the rights of his clients, working diligently to ensure they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Practice limited to Appeals and Trial Consulting. Experience primarily in Illinois state courts and various federal district courts and courts of appeals.

Natalie Bower is a Partner with Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP and has devoted her practice for the past 7 years exclusively to the area of family law. Natalie Bower’s experience includes advocating for clients in contested and non-contested divorces, establishing parentage (paternity), litigating initial determinations and modifications of child custody, child support and spousal support (maintenance/alimony) matters, as well as handling Orders of Protection, military divorces, jurisdictional disputes, and asset/property and retirement divisions. Natalie Bower has represented families in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Clinton and Macoupin Counties as well as other surrounding counties. Natalie...

MEGAN M. GILBRETH, born in Belleville, Illinois.

License: Illinois 2012
Education: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (B.S. in Social Work, Summa Cum Laude, 2007); St. Louis University School of Law (J.D., 2010)

Areas of Practice: Ms. Gilbreth practices in the following areas of law: Family Law, Divorce, Guardianships, Estates and Trusts, Litigation, as well as General Practice.

Illinois State Bar Association Section Member: Family Law

Sarah E. Ward is a Partner with Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP. Sarah Ward has practiced over 6 years in Belleville, Illinois, primarily in the area of family law and has represented families in St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Clinton County and counties throughout Central and Southern Illinois. Sarah Ward has extensive family law advocacy experience, including representation on behalf of clients in contested custody and removal matters, as well as those who are current or retired military personnel. Sarah Ward has presented at legal education seminars in St. Louis on family...

David Cates is the founding principal attorney of The Cates Law Firm. As a seasoned trial lawyer with a major focus on nationally-recognized personal injury cases,class action lawsuits, and employment and workplace discrimination, attorney David Cates has earned prestigious recognitions including Super Lawyer's Rising Star and National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyer. Throughout the years, David has achieved awards well over one-million dollars for the clients he has represented.

I adhere to the enduring philosophy that honesty, commitment, and personal service are the starting points for any good attorney-client relationship. I pride myself on putting my clients needs first and being a strong advocate on their behalf. In this regard, I have exceptionally strong skills in the areas of legal research, analysis, writing and advocacy. I am admitted and practice in the Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern District of Illinois and before the U.S. Seventh Judicial Court of Appeals and the United States Tax Court.

With more than 35 years as an attorney, Richard Coffee has experience in the areas of business, real estate, insurance, education, juvenile court, probate, trusts, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and family law to better serve our clients. Richard Coffee has extensive family law advocacy experience, including representation on behalf of clients who are current or retired military personnel, clients with matters involving state jurisdictional issues when families relocate, clients with government or private retirement valuation and division issues, and cases involving public education issues. ?Prior to engaging in private practice in southwestern Illinois for the past 16 years, Richard Coffee...

SK Walker Law, LLC in Marion, IL, is a Marine Corps Combat Veteran owned law firm with SIU School of Law Alum, attorney Scott Walker, who focuses his practice to the area of Personal Injury, Probate, Wills, Trust, Estates, Contract, Real Estate, Business and Mass Tort law. I use my military and mechanic background and training to troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve our issues. I listen and relate to my clients through my real-world experience, which includes 14 years of military service, with combat tours during Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom, and over twenty years of managerial experience in the maintenance, mining, and...

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...

I have been practicing law since 1988. I have served as a legal services attorney representing clients in orders of protection, divorce, and parentage matters. Next I served as a public defender for 4 years, handling criminal law, juvenile law and mental health commitment cases. I have been in private practice on my own since 1999 representing people in a variety of cases, mostly family law, juvenile law, criminal law, guardianships, powers of attorney and wills. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a master's degree in social work, so...

In my past life as a former prosecutor, I prosecuted literally thousands of traffic cases. I know the ins and outs of the system, where things can go wrong and exactly how harsh traffic penalties can be. After spending years as a prosecutor, I got tired of being on that side of things. I got tired of being the “bad guy” and having to charge people ridiculous fines.

As an attorney, I have worked in the areas of corporate law, criminal defense and divorce, but the majority of my experience is with traffic violations. As a prosecutor in the Pulaski County,...

Since my time in law school I have dedicated my legal career to serving, protecting and enforcing the rights of individuals harmed through the carelessness of others. I have tried cases throughout the counties of southern Illinois, before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and argued successfully before the Illinois Appellate Courts. Regardless of the size of any given case, my full attention, effort and care is put into all the work I do. I understand that whatever situation the client comes into our office with, it is very important and the source of significant stress and anxiety. I ensure...

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,...