Cheryl Powell

I have been practicing law for over 30 years. 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, domestic violence, guardianships, powers of attorney, wills and landlord-tenant cases. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a Master's degree in Social Work, so I understand the mental health problems that are invariably involved in these matters.

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

M.S. (1996) | Social work

1992 - 1996

Northern Illinois University

J.D. | Law

1984 - 1987

Northern Illinois University

B.A. (1983) | Political Science, Public Administration; with a Minor in Sociology

1982 - 1983

Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, honor society

College of Lake County

A.S. (1982) | Business Administration

1980 - 1982

Attorney/Solo Practitioner

Law office of Cheryl A. Powell

1999 - Current

Represent clients in a variety of matters, including those listed plus guardianships, wills and powers of attorney.

Assistant public defender

Marion County

1999 - 2002

Handled criminal law cases, including a murder case. Also handled juvenile cases, including abuse, neglect and delinquency; as well as mental health cases.

Associate

Douglas A. Antonik

1995 - 1999

Represented numerous clients in family law cases.

Family Law Task Force Coordinator

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance

1987 - 1995

Supervised 40 lawyers in their handling of family law cases.

Approved guardian ad litem

2nd judicial circuit

Approved mediator

2nd judicial circuit

Approved guardian ad litem

4th judicial circuit

Approved mediator

4th judicial circuit

Approved guardian ad litem

20th judicial circuit

Approved mediator

20th judicial circuit

Service to Miliary

Illinois State Bar Association

2010

Illinois State Bar

Member

1988 - Current

Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council

Jefferson county bar assn

Member

1988 - Current

Marion County Bar Assn

Member

1988 - Current

Illinois

Since 1988

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2002

• Free Consultation
  Brief 15 minute consultations to determine if I can help you and determine your retainer fee. If complicated custody matters, I usually charge my regular fee of $300 because it takes longer to determine the level of complications in the case.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  I accept all major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.

Q. How can new York give custody when there is a custody case filled here in Illinois between his mom and I

October 10, 2024

A: Is there a custody order in either state? This is a complicated matter that requires a phone call. I practice in Illinois but not in all counties in Illinois. It looks like you are from Paris, and if that is where your case is filed I would not be able to represent you. However, you need an Illinois lawyer in your local area to advise you asap.

Q. How can I get a no contact order lifted

September 9, 2024

A: You are not a party to the litigation and therefore you have no ability to file anything to change that process. You may talk to the State's Attorney to ask or to his lawyer to ask, as one of them would have to file a motion. Of course, you would want to know when the motion is heard so you can be there to testify. Someone asked this same question recently and the guy had choked her. If you are that person asking again, it's unlikely that a no contact order would be dropped because of the level of severity of the violence. The state does not want your dead body on its hands.

Q. If I was on bond with the pre-trial conditions the same as an order of protection and the order of protection was

September 3, 2024

A: No. The order of protection is a separate case usually with an op case number. The criminal case is a cm or cf case and one of the bond conditions is no contact with victim.

They are two separate things. Dropping of one does not equal dropping of th r other.