Top Best Family Lawyers | 17808 Available

Attorney Candice M. Thomason is an Associate Attorney at Murphy & Dunn, P.C. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and is a member of both the Peoria County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Candice is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law, where she graduated with honors. She also earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Valparaiso University.

Ann R. Pieper is an associate attorney at Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White and Frederick P.C. Ann regularly advises clients on policies and procedures to reduce litigation exposure, advises clients on concerns prior to adverse action, and litigates on behalf of her clients in court and at the administrative agency level. Ann's approach to law is practical and realistic as she aspires to identify her clients' problems and find workable and long term solutions. Ann and her family reside in Morton, Illinois.

Finding the right family law attorney in Belleville, Illinois, is important. Family law attorneys help you through some of your most difficult times, touching on some of the most important aspects of your life. Drew Dossett is an understanding and empathetic Associate Attorney at Stange Law Firm, PC, able to assist clients throughout St. Clair County from the firm’s Belleville, Illinois office.. Drew completed her undergraduate degree at Southern Illinois University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law. She is currently licensed to practice in the State of Illinois.. Drew was named a Rising Stars Honoree by Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine for 2024, an award that represents no more than 2.5% of lawyers in the state.. Before joining Stange Law Firm, Drew gained legal experience and knowledge working for many different organizations. She has worked as a Law Clerk for the Illinois Attorney General, where she interviewed clients, researched laws and statutes for supervising attorneys, and drafted memos, complaints, and motions. She has also spent time as a Student Worker at the Domestic Violence Clinic, observing court proceedings and reviewing documents and statutes. From there, she worked as a Law Clerk for a firm in Edwardsville, Illinois, where she helped manage over 500 cases for clients.. In her free time, Drew loves spending time with her wife, Theresa, and their family. She also enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling to new places.. Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

I am the child of divorced parents who returned to court several times throughout my childhood. I interacted with attorneys at a young age, which sparked an early interest in child advocacy. I graduated law school in 2009, in the middle of a financial crisis. Jobs were few and far between. I spent my first year after graduation completing training for and volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in the St. Louis City Juvenile Court, advocating for children in foster care. I was raised in St. Louis and chose to stay here to raise my family. In my free time, I enjoy baking, cake decorating, cooking, and spending time with my family.. I grew up the child of divorced parents. Like many divorced families, mine experienced several child support and custody modifications. My family went through the same things my clients’ families are going through – court hearings, depositions, and expert witnesses. While I have not stood in the exact same shoes as most of my clients, my experience as a child of divorced parents provides me with a unique perspective and approach to family law. It’s also what led me to get certified as a Guardian ad Litem. Working as a Guardian ad Litem has helped me develop a more child-centric approach to custody matters.. Family law often involves strong emotions and difficult decisions. I consider it a privilege to be able to help people get through what is often one of the most challenging times in their lives. Family law issues are disruptive, unpredictable, and scary. My goal as a family law attorney is to help people navigate this process with grace and the knowledge to lead them to the best possible result.

John R. Fenley practices in the areas of Family Law and Criminal Defense. He received his Bachelor's degree in communication and political science from DePauw University and his law degree from St. Louis University. While in law school Mr. Fenley served as a staff member and editor for the St. Louis University Law Journal. He also interned with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, and was a law clerk with Robert Hamilton and Jennifer Piper for over a year as well as spending time as a law clerk with insurance defense firm Hennessey & Roach.. Mr. Fenley is admitted to practice in Missouri State Courts and is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the St. Louis County Bar Association. He is also actively involved in the local community. Mr. Fenley regularly volunteers with Join Hands East St. Louis and is also a board member for the local DePauw University Alumni Association. Mr. Fenley practices in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Jefferson County, St. Charles, Franklin, and Warren Counties.

Ms. Piper has practiced law in the St. Louis County Metropolitan area where she has exclusively handled family law matters for over 20 years. Ms. Piper currently serves as the Chair of the Family and Juvenile Law Section for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Parenting Coordination and Mediation Committee for the St. Louis County Circuit Court.. She is a member of the Missouri Bar Association. As an attorney, Jennifer has been distinguished by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer; she has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2023 in the practice area of Family Law. Ms. Piper also recently received a Woman’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2019 and recognized by Missouri Super Lawyers for 2021-2023.. As a member and Past President of The St. Louis County Bar Association, Ms. Piper is still actively involved in the organization and helps organize Continuing Legal Education Seminars. Jennifer previously served as a member of the 2010 and 2011 inaugural class of Barristers in The Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court.. Ms. Piper was appointed and served on a special committee of the Missouri Bar Association dealing with issues involving juvenile cases and immigration. Ms. Piper was appointed by St. Louis County Circuit Court, Judge Burton to serve on a special committee to improve the Family Court of St. Louis County that developed and implemented new local rules and procedures. Ms. Piper served on the Board of Directors for Caring for Kids, an organization developed and designed to provide essential resources to meet the urgent needs of children in foster care in St. Louis County. Certified as a Guardian Ad Litem, Ms. Piper is regularly appointed to represent and protect children by Judges and Commissioners in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Ms. Piper volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court Docket. Ms. Piper is certified as a Mediator for civil and family law matters. Ms. Piper is also a certified Parenting Coordinator and is regularly appointed by the Court to assist families with the most difficult custody matters.

Yolanda obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Speech Communication and Criminal Justice from Illinois State University. She earned her Juris Doctorate at Southern Illinois University School of Law. She is a Peoria Native who is very passionate about her work and advocating for her clients. She is a former Staff Attorney of a sizable firm, that handled cases in nine central Illinois counties, where her areas of practice generally included Expungement/Sealing work, Post Criminal Conviction Relief, Family Law, Landlord -Tenant cases, Orders of Protections and Guardianship matters.. In addition, she spent time in a smaller private practice where her primary focus was Family Law, Criminal Defense and Expungement/Sealing cases.. She then moved on as a Litigation Attorney with Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C., where her primary focus was in Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense, Expungement/Sealing, Family Law and Estate Planning.. She is now a solo practitioner building her legal practice in the Central Illinois area.. Yolanda is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Peoria County Bar Association where she is an active member and current Chair of the Diversity Committee, general member of Prairie State Legal Services Peoria Campaign for Legal Service, Elite Community Outreach Board member, and general member of the Central Illinois Black Bar Association.. Former board member on the Hult Center for Healthy Living,  former general member of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, and former President of the Peoria Area Chapter -ACLU.. 2018 Recipient of the Doers of Deed Award; 2019 Recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum major award; 2021 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year- Peoria County Bar Association; 2023 Peoria Role Model Project Recipient.

Andrew Billington is an Associate Attorney at Stange Law Firm, PC based out of the Edwardsville, Illinois office. Andrew is licensed to practice in Illinois and Missouri. Mr. Billington represents clients in all family law cases including divorce, child custody, child support, guardianship, prenuptial agreements, orders of protection, and a variety of other domestic relations matters.. Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.. Andrew Billington is responsible for the content.  Principal place of business 120 South Central Avenue, Suite 450, St. Louis (Clayton), MO 63105.

Sarah E. Ward is a Partner with Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP.   Sarah Ward has practiced over 15 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 law topics, represented family law clients in the appellate court, and clerked for the SIU General Counsel’s Office researching and drafting memoranda on labor matters, bankruptcy and housing issues for the University.. Sarah Ward received her Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law, her Bachelor of Arts from St. Louis University, is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the St. Clair County Bar Association, was selected as a member of the National Order of Barristers, a member of the SIU Law Moot Court Board Appellate Division, and was a student member of the Southern Illinois American Inn of Court.

With more than 45 years as an attorney, 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 the MetroEast since 1997, he served as counsel to the Illinois State Board of Education and legal counsel to Illinois public universities.  Richard Coffee is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois and Missouri and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.. Mr. Coffee received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, holds a degree in broadcasting from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association, former President of the Monroe County Bar Association, former chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Education Law Section Counsel, has served as a judge for the National Health Law Moot Court Competition sponsored by Southern Illinois University School of Law.