Cheryl Powell

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.

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
• 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.

Q. If I was at a mental hospital during my hearing date for an order of protection would that help to get it dropped?

April 10, 2024

A: MAYBE. It depends how long ago this happened, were you served with the papers before or during hospital, will your Dr state that you were in such a mental state from mental illness or meds as to not be responsible for not showing up, etc.

Get all your papers together and go see a good family law attorney.

Q. if my parents are getting evicted and dont have somewhere to go but i do, do they have the right to make me homeless

March 31, 2024

A: Yes. Until you are 18 your parents have control over you. They can decide you live at grandma's on the couch or floor, that all of you go to a homeless shelter or wherever it may be absent filth, bugs or feces.

Q. Need representation for combating a protective order.

March 28, 2024

A: There are many terms that mean vastly different things. Have you received any papers? A protective order is different from a restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a no contact order and a no stalking order. The precise language used here matters. What will get you gun rights taken away is an Order of Protection and possibly a No contact order or a No Stalking order. You need legal representation. In your case, words matter.