Free Consultation: (618) 246-9370Tap to Call This Lawyer
Cheryl Powell

Cheryl Powell

Lawyer-Mediator-Guardian ad Litem at the Law Office of Cheryl A. Powell.
  • Family Law, Divorce, Domestic Violence ...
  • Illinois
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Biography

I have been practicing law since 1988. 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, guardianships, powers of attorney and wills. I do a smattering of other things in general. I also hold a master's degree in social work, so I understand mental health problems that are invariably involved in these matters.

Education
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
M.S. (1996) | Social work
-
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Logo
Northern Illinois University
J.D. | Law
-
Northern Illinois University Logo
Northern Illinois University
B.A. (1983) | Political Science, Public Administration; with a Minor in Sociology
-
Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, honor society
Northern Illinois University Logo
College of Lake County
A.S. (1982) | Business Administration
-
Placeholder image for education.
Professional Experience
Attorney/Solo Practitioner
Law office of Cheryl A. Powell
- Current
Represent clients in a variety of matters, including those listed plus guardianships, wills and powers of attorney.
Assistant public defender
Marion County
-
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
-
Represented numerous clients in family law cases.
Family Law Task Force Coordinator
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance
-
Supervised 40 lawyers in their handling of family law cases.
Certifications
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
Awards
Service to Miliary
Illinois State Bar Association
Professional Associations
Illinois State Bar
Member
- Current
Activities: Family Law Section Council, Criminal Justice Section Council
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Jefferson county bar assn
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Marion County Bar Assn
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. Supreme Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    I accept all major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    My consultations are generally $75 for up to one-half hour and $275 per hour after that.
Practice Areas
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Divorce
Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
Criminal Law
Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Juvenile Law
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Collections
Landlord Tenant
Evictions
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. How can new York give custody when there is a custody case filled here in Illinois between his mom and I
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
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
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.
View More Answers
Websites & Blogs
Website
Contact & Map
407 S. 27th Street, Suite B
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
Telephone: (618) 246-9370
Fax: (618) 244-5919