2024 Attorney & L aw Directory
A comprehensive guide to attorneys and law offices serving the Illinois Valley
Why you need a lawyer in your corner
One need not spend ample time to find depictions of lawyers on television and in films. Though such depictions are not always so rosy, most lawyers are reputable individuals who help people navigate the complicated matters of the law.
There are many instances when it is in a person’s best interest to hire an attorney. The law is more nuanced than people outside the legal profession may realize, and having a person in one’s corner who understands the ins and outs of the law is a wise move. The following are a handful of reasons why it pays to have a lawyer in your corner.
• Lawyers understand legal documents. Attorneys know that procedure is a major part of the law and the judiciary system. A lawyer will help to file the correct paperwork, fill out legal documents, contact courts, and engage in legal procedures in the correct fashion.
• Lawyers have access to experts. Attorneys have strong networks and can connect their clients with experts that support their efforts. For example, parents who are using a special education attorney to navigate 504/IEP plans can ask their lawyer to connect them with an education advocate, expert or tutor who can serve as a witness or reference.
• Lawyers ensure guidelines are followed. A lawyer can be an asset when drafting a will or engaging in elder care arrangements. With legal, binding documentation, contestation of wishes is much more difficult and ensures that a financial legacy is put to use as intended.
• Lawyers know how to negotiate and settle. Heading to court isn’t always the best outcome. Experienced attorneys likely have seen similar cases and scenarios and can make informed guesses about how your own situation may play out if it goes to trial. He or she may suggest a settlement or know a tactic that can work in your favor, particularly if it results in reduced legal fees.
• Lawyers can e ectively lock horns with other lawyers. Individuals who choose to represent themselves are at a disadvantage when the other side has hired an attorney. To avoid this inequity of knowledge and experience, it’s best to seek legal representation.
• Lawyers provide unbiased insight. When dealing with complicated family issues, such as estate planning, divorce or custody, it pays to have a third party who is emotionally detached from the situation to help guide decision-making.
Attorneys can guide people through all types of complicated legal matters and provide sound, unbiased advice. TF218189
The many roles played by di erent types of lawyers
The legal profession casts a wide net. Lawyers and attorneys wear a number of different hats, and knowing how to distinguish between the many types of legal professionals can help people find the right fit when they’re looking for legal representation or guidance.
• Defense lawyer: Thanks to Hollywood, the general public has a good idea of what defense lawyers do, even if most people will never need one. Defense lawyers defend people who have been accused of breaking the law. According to the Legal Information Institute, the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a defense lawyer. People accused of crimes who cannot afford to hire a private attorney can be assigned a public defender to represent them as the legal process plays out.
• Family lawyer: Family lawyers specialize in many different areas. Some family lawyers may specialize in divorce cases, while others may specialize in child adoptions. Lawyers who specialize in domestic violence cases also may qualify as family lawyers.
• Estate planning lawyer: Over time, just about anyone might require the services of a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. These professionals help people with their wills and can help ensure asset transfers go as smoothly as possible. Estate planning lawyers also can help people
establish trusts.
• Personal injury lawyer: Commercials for personal injury lawyers dot the television landscape, making these professionals among the most recognizable legal professionals. Personal injury lawyers specialize in civil litigation while representing clients who may have been injured at work or in public or in another setting.
• Real estate lawyer: Homeowners utilize real estate lawyers when buying their homes. These lawyers can represent both buyers and sellers (though not both at the same time) as the parties negotiate the sale of a home, essentially serving as intermediaries between the two parties. Real estate lawyers are often present when closing documents are signed. Real estate lawyers also work on disputes between tenants and property owners.
Lawyers serve in various capacities and specialize in many different areas of the law. Knowing which professional to look to when in need can help people successfully navigate any legal issues that arise. TF22A411
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Life is full of challenges, and obstacles are often easier to overcome when people have some trusted allies in their corner. Certain situations are more easily managed with a little help from a trustworthy support system, and that system can include a reliable legal representative.
The American Civil Liberties Union notes that individuals with disabilities face widespread discrimination, segregation and exclusion. That’s why it pays for such individuals to have a trustworthy legal advocate in their corner to advise them on their rights and recommend action to take if those rights are being compromised.
WHAT RIGHTS DO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE AT WORK?
The ACLU notes that federal laws protect people with disabilities from being discriminated against in the workplace. Such individuals do not have to inform an employer of a disability when they apply for a job or even after they’re hired. That’s the case even if their disability requires a reasonable accommodation in the future. Individuals with disabilities who
What anyone should know about disability rights
can perform the job cannot be denied promotions, fired or demoted, harassed, or paid less as a result of their disability. It’s also illegal to refuse to hire someone capable of doing the job simply because of their disability. People with disabilities also are protected under the law from unnecessary medical inquiries at work.
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WORK-RELATED DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION?
The ACLU notes that the following are some examples of disability discrimination in the workplace:
• A refusal on the part of an employer to hire, promote or equally pay a person because of a disability when that person is capable of doing the job
• An employer refuses to make reasonable accommodations to ensure a person with a disability has an equal chance to succeed at work
• An employer demands that a disability be disclosed or discussed when you have not requested an accommodation
• A person is the target of derogatory comments, jokes or gestures
related to a disability from a boss, coworkers or customers
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BELIEVE MY RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED?
The ACLU recommends individuals with disabilities who believe their rights have been violated take various steps in response to such violations. In addition to contacting a lawyer, the ACLU recommends filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a state fair employment practices agency. The ACLU notes that deadlines to submit such filings may be as short as 180 days, so it’s vital that individuals move quickly in response to any violations. The ACLU urges federal employees to contact their EEO counselor within 45 days.
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Disability rights are in place to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace. Lawyers who specialize in this area of the law can advocate for people with disabilities and ensure they are treated fairly and equitably.
