Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near me in ZIP 61602

Trial experience for your case: I'm a former prosecutor, former public defender, and former state court judge.  Over 45 years legal experience. I've handled thousands of cases litigating over 150 jury trials to a verdict.

Jim has been affiliated with the Kavanagh firm since 2004, providing sole representation to most of his clients as well as collaborating on various cases. Jim’s 47 years of experience affords expert counsel to the rest of our attorneys on numerous matters. Born and raised in Peoria, Jim graduated from Woodruff High School in 1954. He served the next four years in the United States Navy Submarine Service, including a tour of duty in the Pacific. Following his military service, Jim graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign, in 1962 and earned his Juris Doctor from the University Of Illinois College Of Law in 1964. In 1965, Jim opened his first law office in Peoria. In the decades to follow, he was a leading partner in several firms, including Hafele & McDade. He is admitted to practice before all Illinois courts, as well as area Federal and Appellate courts and the Supreme Court of the United States. Jim has served as Secretary of the Peoria County Bar Association and President of the Abraham Lincoln Inns of Court. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Haute, a Peoria-based nonprofit group dedicated to developing entrepreneurship in African nations. Haute was founded by Ben Hafele, Jim’s son and a former Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. Jim and his wife, Lynda, live off Koerner Road near the City of Peoria, where he enjoys family time with two grandsons. A past member of the Peoria Ski Club, Jim frequents the Colorado mountains each winter.

G. Edward Murphy is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. and has been one of the best divorce, custody, and family law attorneys and lawyers in Peoria, Bloomington, and Central Illinois for the past 32 years. He knows how to litigate your case when necessary, negotiate favorably if possible, and win your case for you and your children in court. He is a skilled trial attorney, but also a capable mediator and problem solver.. He has been lead counsel running Murphy & Dunn, P.C. for the past 30 years since he was 26 years old and has been winning cases ever since. He and his firm have handled over 8,000 cases and he knows what he is doing. He knows the law, the other family law attorneys, and the family law Judges and uses those skills and his experience to obtain the best possible result for you and your family. He is the divorce and custody trial attorney you want on your side. Together with his team of attorneys and paralegals, they will do their very best to win your case.. G. Edward Murphy is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, where he graduated 3rd in his class. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Peoria County Bar Association. He serves on local family law committees and is a member of the family law section at both the national, state, and local levels. He is also a certified family law mediator. G. Edward Murphy is the lead attorney for the law firm and handles cases throughout the State of Illinois.. G. Edward Murphy has a history of success in all that he has undertaken. He was a successful student-athlete, excelling in sports as an All-State baseball player and golfer in high school, and pitching in baseball for Illinois Central College and The University of Iowa in college. In law school, he continued this level of success by graduating 3rd in his entire class, writing as an Editor for the Law Review, and competing in the Moot Court competition. This history of accomplishment in both academic and athletic arenas prepared him well for becoming the trial lawyer that he is. For the past 30 years, Mr. Murphy has continued to excel in all areas of family law. Each year he is repeatedly voted one of "Illinois Law and Leading Attorneys" in Family Law, a distinction given to only the top six percent of attorneys in the State of Illinois.. He is a respected member of the bar and a leading attorney in the family law arena. He can handle all areas of family law, including all aspects of custody and divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, civil unions, gay and lesbian custody and divorce, farm divorces, child support, visitation, maintenance and alimony, hidden assets and income cases, relocation and removal, college expenses, high income, and high asset divorce cases, adoption, paternity, post-decree matters, and all family law related matters. He also handles family law appeals.

After graduating from Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe, Illinois, I enlisted in the United States Navy where I spent the next four years serving my country at home and overseas. I was stationed at many places throughout the country, including Illinois, California and Texas. I served overseas for over two years at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I still value and use the many skills I learned in the military such as discipline, hard work, integrity, toughness and persistence.. When my enlistment was up, I came back to Illinois and attended Illinois State University. I pursued a degree in Political Science, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude. While a student at Illinois State University, I became a member of Golden Key International Honor Society and President of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society).. After graduating from Illinois State University, I enrolled in law school at Northern Illinois College of Law where I was on the Dean's list for four semesters. During law school I became fascinated with criminal law and the criminal justice system. I worked as a student attorney at the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office and completed my first jury trial while still in law school. I then became a student attorney at the Northern Illinois College of Law Criminal Defense Clinic, defending indigent clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney.. After graduating from law school and passing the Illinois Bar Examination, I accepted a position as an Assistant State's Attorney in Peoria County, where I was in court everyday of the week trying cases. While at the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, I received rapid promotion, from traffic to misdemeanor prosecutor after only three months (the normal promotion time is nine months to one year).. While an Assistant State's Attorney, I gained a lot of experience in the courtroom, often undergoing a trial every week, which enhanced my trial skills.. In April 2008, I opened my own law practice with my business partner and former prosecutor, Robert Pugh. Criminal, Traffic and DUI defense continue to be my areas of concentration. I enjoy the work and derive a great deal of satisfaction utilizing my knowledge and skills fighting to achieve the best results for my clients and protecting their constitutional rights.. Personal Interests

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lewistown and surrounding areas.