Lawyers in Illinois

Finding a lawyer in Illinois

Legal life in Chicago looks different from legal life in Springfield, Peoria or the rural counties downstate, but the rules for lawyers are the same everywhere in Illinois. Every attorney who practices here is licensed by the Supreme Court of Illinois and registered with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).

This directory groups Illinois law firms by practice area and by city, so you can start with the kind of problem you have rather than with a name. Open a profile to see where the firm is and what it handles, then contact the office directly.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Some situations almost always call for an Illinois attorney: an arrest or criminal charge, a serious injury in a crash or at work, a divorce involving children or property, immigration papers or a notice to appear, or a lawsuit filed against you. Deadlines under state and federal law can be short, and an early mistake is hard to undo.

Other matters are often handled alone. Illinois circuit courts have a small claims process for modest money disputes, and many people represent themselves there. Simple traffic tickets and some straightforward forms can also be done without a lawyer. Many firms offer a free or low-cost first meeting, so a quick consultation can confirm that your case really is simple.

Common practice areas in Illinois

• Personal Injury — people hurt through someone else's carelessness, from falls to defective products, and the insurance claims that follow.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities (what Illinois calls custody), parenting time, child support and maintenance.
• Criminal Defense — charges in Illinois state courts or federal court, from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
• DUI & DWI — drunk-driving cases, including the driver's license consequences of an arrest.
• Immigration — a federal practice: visas, green cards, citizenship and removal defense. Chicago has a federal immigration court.
• Bankruptcy — a federal practice, filed in the Northern, Central or Southern District of Illinois depending on where you live.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, powers of attorney and the court process for settling an estate.
• Real Estate — closings, title issues and landlord-tenant disputes. In much of Illinois, buyers and sellers commonly use an attorney at closing.
• Employment — wrongful termination, discrimination, unpaid wages and severance agreements.
• Workers' Compensation — job-injury claims handled through the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission rather than a regular lawsuit.
• Social Security Disability — a federal practice for disability benefit applications and appeals.

How to check a lawyer's license in Illinois

The ARDC keeps the public record of every Illinois lawyer. Its online lawyer search shows whether an attorney is authorized to practice, when they were admitted and whether they have any public disciplinary history. Before you hire anyone, confirm that their status is active and in good standing and that there is no discipline you were not told about.

If the name does not appear, ask for the lawyer's ARDC registration number and search again. A lawyer licensed only in another state generally cannot represent you in an Illinois court without special permission. The Illinois State Bar Association is a voluntary professional group; membership is common but is not a license.

How to choose a law firm

Look for experience in your specific type of matter. A family lawyer who appears in your county courthouse every week will usually know the local judges and procedures better than a general practitioner who takes an occasional divorce.

Ask who will actually work on your file. In larger Illinois firms the person you meet first may hand the case to an associate, which is normal, but you should know who that is.

Understand the fee before you sign. Illinois lawyers generally use a contingency fee (a share of any recovery), an hourly rate with a retainer, or a flat fee for a defined task. Ask what is included and what counts as an extra cost, and get the agreement in writing.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

1. How many cases like mine have you handled in Illinois, and how did they end?
2. Who at the firm will work on my case day to day?
3. How do you charge, and what will I owe if we lose or settle early?
4. What deadlines apply to my situation, and how soon do we need to act?
5. What is the realistic range of outcomes, good and bad?
6. How often will I hear from you?
7. Is there anything I should stop doing, or start collecting, right now?

Free and low-cost legal help

Illinois Legal Aid Online publishes plain-language guides and court forms and can point you to the legal aid organization that serves your county.

The Illinois State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program that connects callers with a private attorney for a short initial consultation. Law schools in Chicago and elsewhere in the state operate clinics where supervised students handle certain kinds of cases. The Illinois courts publish standardized forms for people representing themselves, and many circuit courts have self-help desks.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Illinois attorney about your situation.