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Local Historical Society recognizes
Logan County law practices
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 [May 21, 2017]
LINCOLN
- Logan County law offices,
attorneys, and judges are being
saluted in a window display at the
Logan County Genealogical &
Historical Society, 114 N. Chicago
St., in conjunction with Law Day,
May 1.
Lincoln’s four multi-generational
law offices are among those being
recognized.
Miller & Miller
Miller & Miller law
office was established in 1887 by
Attorney James E. Miller, the
great-grandfather of current
Attorney, Stephen L. Miller. James
E. served the firm until 1938.
Steve’s grandfather, Leland P.
Miller, received his degree from the
University of Chicago Law School and
practiced law from 1920 until 1963.
His father, Burke
Miller, also a graduate of the
University of Chicago Law School,
practiced law for 50 years, from
1946 until 1996.
Steve began his law career in 1978
upon receiving his degree cum laude
from Chicago Kent College of Law.
A past president of the Logan County
Bar Association, Steve has written
more than 1,375 wills for his
clients in addition to providing
other legal services. He has also
served as president of the Logan
County United Way board of directors
and of the Lincoln Branch of
Catholic Social Services of Peoria
board of directors.
Steeped in the tradition of law
Miller is also the maternal
great-grandson of former Atlanta
Attorney John Bevan, a graduate of
the University of Michigan School of
Law, who practiced law in Atlanta
from 1874 until 1933.
Steve is the maternal grandson of
Judge Frank S. Bevan, whose legal
career spanned half a century, and
was a 1910 graduate of the
University of Chicago Law School.
Bevan began practicing with the firm
of Bevan & Bevan in 1910, serving
until 1939 when he was elected
Circuit Judge. He was re-elected in
1945, 1951, and 1957.
Woods & Bates
The Woods & Bates law
firm began in 1972 with the
partnership of the law practices of
William C. Bates and Robert Woods.
William C. Bates Jr. was graduated
from the University of Miami Law
School cum laude in 1950 and began
the practice of law in Lincoln,
joining with Robert J. and Dick H.
Woods in 1972.
Gerald Dehner, who
later became a circuit judge, was
also a member of the firm.
Dehner, who was admitted to the bar
in 1972, received his JD degree from
Washington University. He retired
from his judicial duties in 1998.
From 1952 until 1964 Bates served as
Master of Chancery of the Circuit
Court. He retired from the law firm
in 1985 and was succeeded by his
son, William B. Bates.
William B. Bates received his juris
doctorate with honors degree from
Drake University in 1978, having
served as a law clerk for Fourth
District Appellate Court Justice
John T. McCullough. Bates then
became an associate with Woods,
Bates, and Dehner, becoming a
partner in 1981, and managing
partner in 1983. He assumed
ownership of the firm in 1994,
retiring in 2014. Bates concentrated
his practice on estate, trust, and
real estate law.
He serves on the
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
board of directors and is president
and a director of the Woods
Foundation, a philanthropic group.
William Blinn Bates Jr. received his
Juris Doctor degree with honors from
Drake University Law School in 2007
and commenced his practice of law in
Lincoln.
A past president of the Logan County
Bar Association, Bates is active in
local civic, charity, and
educational affairs and serves on
the Lincoln Elementary District 27
Board of Education, the Community
Action Partnership board of
directors, and on the Young
Professionals Network steering
committee.
Blinn has concentrated his practice
in estate planning, including
drafting of trusts and wills,
administration of decedents’
estates, real estate, and collection
matters.
Robert J. Woods graduated in 1948
from the University of Illinois Law
School entering into a partnership
with his father Charles H. Woods,
who practiced law in Logan County
for more than 50 years.
Following his father’s death in 1958
Robert practiced alone until 1961
when Roger W. Thompson became
associated with him. Thompson left
the firm in 1972 upon becoming Logan
County State’s Attorney. Doug and
Laurie Muck were also associated
with the law firm.
Robert J. Woods spent considerable
time involved with trial work with
his concentration being in real
estate, estate planning, wills and
trusts. He has served as president
of the ALM Hospital board of
directors and was active in other
church and community organizations.
One of his greatest
accomplishments was the founding
upon his (and his wife’s) deaths of
the Woods Foundation, a
philanthropic organization which
invests thousands of dollars yearly
in community projects.
Norman Stanley Woods, another son of
Charles H. Woods, practiced with his
father from 1940-1941, but met his
death in World War II.
Harris & Harris
Harris & Harris Law
Office was founded in 1921 when
Judge Thomas Milton Harris and his
son, Homer Blinn Harris, became law
partners. Offices were opened in
Lincoln in the Greisheim building
and in Mt. Pulaski in Fred
Zimmerman’s South Washington Street
building.
Thomas Milton Harris studied law
under the direction of Lincoln
Attorneys, Edward D. Blinn and James
T. Hoblit, whom he joined in
practice in 1893 following his
graduation from Valparaiso
University Law School.
In 1895 Harris became a partner in
the law firm of Blinn and Harris.
Harris became the first Circuit
Judge to be elected from Logan
County. In 1914 Judge Harris was
appointed to the Illinois Appellate
Court, now the Fourth District.
Son Homer Blinn
Harris was named after his father’s
senior law partner, graduated from
the University of Illinois Law
School, and was elected to the
Illinois House of Representatives in
1942, becoming the house majority
leader in 1944. He served three
terms in the Illinois State
Legislature. Homer decided in 1948
to retire from politics to devote
full time to trial work and the
general practice of law.
He practiced law in
Lincoln for more than 35 years and
also served as a special legal
counsel for the Chicago and Illinois
State Bar Associations. He also
served on the elementary school
board of education.
Following his return to the law
office, Homer’s sons, Tom and Bud
joined the firm. Tom received his
degree from the Northwestern
University School of Law, while Bud
was graduated from the University of
Illinois Law School.
Both brothers have served as
president of the Logan County Bar
Association. Tom was the initial
chairman of the Logan County
Planning Commission. Bud was an
organizer of the United Fund in
Lincoln and served as president of
the Lincoln Elementary District 27
Board of Education. The firm began
serving as Mt. Pulaski City Attorney
in 1971.
Tom’s son Thomas began his legal
career in the Lincoln office upon
receiving his juris doctor degree
from the University of Colorado in
1988.
He worked as an assistant state’s
attorney, later becoming an
Associate Judge. He was elected a
Circuit Judge in2008. In 2012 the
Illinois Supreme Court assigned
Judge Thomas Harris to the Appellate
Court of the Fourth Judicial
District.
Judge Harris has served on the
Chester-East Lincoln Board of
Education, and as a director for the
Illinois Bar Foundation. He has been
a frequent lecturer at Illinois
State Bar Association seminars.
Mills Law Office
Edwin Coddington
Mills established the Mills Law Firm
in Lincoln. He graduated from the
John Marshall Law School in Chicago
in 1930 and began his career as a
trial attorney with the Peter Murphy
firm. Mills served as Master in
Chancery in the Logan County Circuit
Court from 1932-1935. He was elected
Logan County State’s Attorney in
1940, 1944, and 1948. In 1952 he
returned to private practice.
Mills served as county chairman of
the National Recovery Act, was a
board member of the Chamber of
Commerce, president of the March of
Dimes, an Exulted Ruler of the
Lincoln Elks, and served as an
officer of the State Elks
Association.
Mills was succeeded
by his son Edwin Mills Jr., who was
graduated from the John Marshall
School of Law in Chicago. At the
time of his death he was a legal
representative of Old Heritage Life
Insurance Co. In 2005 Edwin (Ted)
Mills III began practicing law in
Lincoln to continue the Mills
tradition.
Additional Logan County judges and
attorneys being recognized include:
R. Marlin Baker
Robert Marlin Baker
attended Abraham Lincoln College of
Law in Springfield and was admitted
to the bar in September of 1941. He
practiced law in Lincoln.
Rob Barry
Robert John “Rob”
Barry was graduated from the Drake
University School of Law and began
his practice of law. In 1980 he was
elected Logan County State’s
Attorney, later returning to private
practice. He was a past president of
the Logan County Bar Association.
Judge Donald Behle
Donald Behle received his law degree
from Washington University in St.
Louis. He began his practice with
the John Gehlbach Law Firm and
maintains a private practice in
Lincoln. He served several years as
a judge in the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit.
Fred Blanford
Frederick L. Blanford
was graduated from the University of
Illinois School of Law with a Juris
Doctorate degree. He practiced
privately in Lincoln and also worked
with his brother-in-law, Judge David
Coogan.
Nick Burgrabe
Nick Burgrabe
practiced law in the areas of
Criminal Law, divorce, DUI and DWI,
Family Law and Real Estate law in
Lincoln.
Judge David Coogan
David L. Coogan
received his law degree from the
University of Illinois College of
Law and was admitted to the bar in
1968. Coogan was a Logan County
Assistant State’s Attorney, Public
Administrator and Public Defender,
in addition to serving as Lincoln
City Attorney before joining the
bench in 1985 as an Associate Judge
in the Eleventh judicial circuit.
Elected a circuit judge in 1988, he
remained in that position until his
retirement in November of 2008.
Luther Dearborn
Luther Dearborn was
graduated in 1939 from the
University of Illinois Law School.
He began practicing law in Mason
City and Lincoln, a practice which
continued for 42 years until his
retirement in 1975.
His son, Luther H. Dearborn, served
as a circuit judge in Bloomington
and practiced law there.
Timothy J. Forman
Timothy Forman was
admitted to the bar in Illinois in
1983 and opened an office in Lincoln
in 2010. He is a former Logan County
Assistant Public Defender. Forman’s
firm concentrates in the areas of
Family Law; Adoption, Child Support,
Custody, & Visitation; Bankruptcy,
Contract & “Business Law, Real
Estate law, Criminal, DUI,
Misdemeanors and Felonies.
Judge Thomas W.
Funk
A Lincoln native,
Judge Thomas W. Funk has practiced
law in Logan County since 1984
following his graduation from the
Indiana School of Law.
Funk began his legal career as a
Logan County Assistant State’s
Attorney, served as a Logan County
Public Defender, and as a City
Attorney for Mt. Pulaski. He has
practiced law in Lincoln since 1989.
His areas of practice include
Criminal Law, Divorce, DUI and DWI,
Family Law, and Real Estate Law.
He serves on the board of the
International Disaster Emergency
Service and served on the board of
Christian Homes. Funk is a Rotary
past president.
John R. Gehlbach
John R. Gehlbach of
Elkhart received his Bachelor of Law
degree in 1949 from Northwestern
University Law School. After being
admitted to the bar in Illinois, he
became an assistant to the General
Counsel for Swift & Co. in Chicago.
In 1951 he returned to Lincoln and
opened his law firm, remaining in
practice until his death in 2010.
Gehlbach served as a Special
Assistant Attorney General for the
State of Illinois for 20 years. He
became the longest serving trustee
in the history of Lincoln College,
for a total of more than 56 years.
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Elected to the State
Bank of Lincoln Board of Directors
in 1972, Gehlbach became the bank’s
first Director Emeritus in 2010. A
former chairman of the board of the
Illinois State Historical Library,
Gehlbach was a former chairman of
the Illinois Historical Society.
He was a past president of the
Lincoln Kiwanis, Illinois FFA, and
was a past trustee of the Lincoln
Academy of Illinois. A past board
member of Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital, Gehlbach also served as a
member of the Illinois Executive
Mansion Association and was on the
committee to Restore Historic
Postville Courthouse.
His son, Rick, joined him in the
practice of law following his
graduation cum laude from Southern
Illinois University School of Law.
Rick served as president of the
Logan County Bar Association and as
vice president of Main Street
Lincoln. Following a courageous
battle with cystic fibrosis, he died
in 1996 at age 36.
Jim Grimaldi
Jim Grimaldi received
his JD degree cum laude from the
University of Illinois Law School in
2005 and has been licensed to
practiced law for twelve years. His
specialties include Criminal Law and
DUI defense.
Grimaldi is a past president of the
Logan County Bar Association. A
criminal defense attorney,
Grimaldi’s law practice concentrates
in the areas of DUI, felonies,
misdemeanors, expungements, driver’s
license reinstatement, and traffic
tickets.
Daniel W. Handlin
Daniel W. Handlin
served as Logan County Public
Defender for eleven years, resigning
the position in 1984 several months
prior to his death.
Handlin served as Lincoln City
Attorney from 1957 until 1959,
having practiced law in Lincoln for
31 years.
A past president of the Logan County
Bar Association, Handlin was a
former legal advisor to the Director
of the Illinois Department of
Corrections.
He was a 1952 graduate of the
Lincoln College of Law in
Springfield, where he was
salutatorian and class president.
Handlin was a past commander of
American Legion Post 263, a charter
member of the Junior Chamber of
Commerce, and a former member of the
Board of Directors of the Mental
Health Association.
Bradley M. Hauge
Bradley M. Hauge is a
Logan County Assistant State’s
Attorney and serves as president of
the Logan County Bar Association.
Rick L. Hobler
Rick L. Hobler
received his JD degree from the
Southern Illinois University School
of Law in 1978 and was licensed to
practice in the U.S. Supreme Court
in 1981.
Hobler has been licensed to practice
law for 39 years.
Robert Richards
Humphrey
Robert Richards
Humphrey was graduated from the
University of Chicago School of Law
and began practicing law in Lincoln
in 1919 with his father, Robert
Humphrey. He retired in 1977.
Humphrey served as Logan County
State’s Attorney from 1928 until
1932. He served on the board of
directors of the State Bank of
Lincoln for about 50 years and was
board president. He was a 30 year
chairman of the Salvation Army
Advisory Board, a former commander
and charter member of American
Legion Post 263 and a charter member
of Voiture 985 of the Forty & Eight.
For 30 years he served as Chancellor
of the Episcopal Diocese of
Springfield.
Timothy Huyett
Tim Huyett began is
prosecutorial career shortly after
graduating with honors from Southern
Illinois University School of Law.
In 1988 he became a Logan County
Assistant State’s Attorney. In 1995
he was appointed Logan County
State’s Attorney.
After leaving office Huyett worked
as a special prosecutor for the
State’s Attorney’s Appellate
Prosecutor’s office in Springfield.
Huyett regained the State’s
Attorney’s position in 2000.
Huyett has spent time in a teaching
capacity at Lincoln College and
Lincoln Correctional Center.
Darrell Klink
Darrell E. Klink
practiced law in Lincoln for 58
years. He received his law degree
from the University of Illinois
School of Law in 1953. He served two
terms as Logan County State’s
Attorney. Klink was a 50 year member
of BPO 914 Elks Lodge.
Michael Lakin
Michael Lakin
received his Doctor of Law degree
from the DePaul University College
of Law. Lakin opened a law office in
Mt. Pulaski in 1976 and later served
as Logan County Public Defender. He
currently is the publisher and
editor in chief of the Mt. Pulaski
Times.
Natalie Marquez
Natalie Marquez, a
Lincoln native, received her JD
degree from the DePaul University
College of Law in 2000 and became a
legal counsel to the Illinois State
Senate, insurance and pensions
committee. She then worked in
corporate and executive offices of
integrated health care systems and
private equity firms.
Marquez started her Lincoln career
in the office of the late John
Gehlbach. Upon his death she
purchased the business through his
partner Phillip A. Montalvo in 2011.
Marquez concentrates her practice to
the areas of legal services in
estate planning, banking, business,
construction, special needs, health
care and government/municipal
corporations. She has served on the
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
Board of Directors.
Justice John T.
McCullough
Often referred to as,
“The Judge,” John T. McCullough at
the time of his death was the
longest serving judge, 50 years, in
Illinois history. His passion was
the law. Judge McCullough was
educated at Lincoln College and
received his JD degree in 1955 from
the University of Illinois College
of Law.
Following four years
in private practice, he was elected
a county judge in 1962 and through
transition became resident Circuit
Judge. In 1974 McCullough was
elected Chief Judge of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit.
In 1984 Judge McCullough was elected
to the Fourth District Appellate
Court, serving for 28 years. He was
awarded the Distinguished Service
Award by the Illinois Judges
Association.
McCullough served 22 years on the
Worker’s Compensation Commission for
the Appellate Court and was elected
presiding judge of the commission
each of those years.
The judge demanded absolute respect
for the judicial system in the court
room, was always willing to lend a
hand, but reluctant to accept one.
It is said he enjoyed a good game of
golf and the companionship of the
19th hole.
Paul A. Meints
Paul A. Meints was
admitted to the bar in Illinois in
1974. He maintains offices in
Bloomington and Atlanta. His areas
of expertise include agricultural
law and tax matters. Meints has been
appointed to the Illinois State Bar
Association Trusts and Estates
Section Council and to the
Agricultural Law Section Council.
Phillip Montalvo
Phillip Montalvo was
a law partner with the John Gehlbach
law firm. His area of concentration
is estate planning and Real Estate
Law.
Douglas A. Muck
Douglas Muck received
his Juris Doctor degree from the
Washington University School of Law
in St. Louis in 1979 and became a
member of the Woods & Bates law
firm. He later went into private
practice with his wife, Laurie. Muck
specializes in criminal defense, DUI
& DWI. general practice, and real
estate law.
Laurie E. Muck
Laurie E. Muck
received her Juris Doctor degree
from the Washinton University School
of Law in St. Louis in 1980 and
became a member of the Woods & Bates
law firm. She later went into
private practice with her husband,
Doug. Laurie was the first female
resident attorney in Logan County.
Laurie specializes in real estate
law, probate, general practice, and
Family Law.
Frederick W.
Nessler
Frederick W. Nessler
of Emden was graduated from the Kent
College of Law, Chicago, with his JD
degree cum laude in 1977. The same
year he began his career in Lincoln
as a personal injury attorney.
Nessler has been selected a leading
attorney in the area of personal
injury and named a top 100 lawyer by
the American Association of Justice.
His largest personal injury
settlement exceeded $15 million. He
is the owner of Nessler &
Associates, a firm with law offices
located throughout the state. He
continues to maintain an office in
Lincoln.
Jonathan Thomas
Nessler
Attorney Jonathan
Thomas Nessler, son of Frederick W.,
is the managing attorney for Nessler
& Associates. He was graduated from
the University of Illinois College
of Law, Chicago, receiving his JD
degree in 2007.
Nessler is recognized as a top 100
trial lawyer and in the top 40 under
age 40 of trial lawyers. A personal
injury lawyer, Nessler began his
legal career in 2007 with Nessler &
Associates. Other areas of
concentration include nursing home
abuse and neglect, workers’
compensation, medical malpractice,
products liability, and insurance
claims.
Warren Peters
An attorney for 58
years, Warren was graduated from the
University of Illinois in 1954 with
his Juris Doctor degree and was
admitted to the bar the same year.
Peters served as a Logan County
Assistant State’s Attorney from
1956-1957, an Assistant Attorney
General from 1961-1964, State’s
Attorney from 1964-1968, and as
Lincoln City Attorney from 1969
until 1981.
He was a 50 year Rotary member and
past president and served as a board
member of the Paramedics
Association.
Zach Schmidt
Attorney Zach Schmidt
is serving as a Logan County
Assistant State’s Attorney.
Judge Leland Simkins
Leland Simkins was graduated from
the University of Chicago Law School
in 1939 and maintained a private
practice from 1940 until 1961 when
he was elected to the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit. In 1964 he became
Chief Judge of the circuit. In 1971
he was appointed to the Fourth
District of the Illinois Appellate
Court, retiring in 1976.
Roger W. Thompson
Roger Winston
Thompson was graduated from the
University of Illinois School of Law
in 1961 and established his practice
in Lincoln.
During a 40 year legal career
Thompson served as Lincoln City
Attorney from 1963-1966, as Logan
County Public Defender from1966
until 1972, Logan County State’s
Attorney from 1972-1980, Atlanta
City Attorney from 1984-1987; and as
county Public Defender from
1987-1989. He also served as
treasurer for the Lincoln Public
Library District.
A past president of the Logan County
Bar Association, Thompson held
executive and board positions with
the Illinois State’s Attorney’s
Association. He is known for
organizing and directing the first
Logan County Legal Aid Society in
1970.
His father, Donald L. Thompson of
Lincoln, was a well known trial
lawyer who practiced law for 40
years in the Chicago area. The elder
Thompson received his degree from
the Georgetown University Law School
in Washington, D.C.
Judge Robert L.
Thornton
Robert L. Thornton
served as a judge in the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit for 26 years. At
the time of his death in 1995,
Thornton was serving as an
adjudicating judge. Thornton’s
circuit work included duties as a
Justice of the Peace and as a Police
Magistrate. He had been a hearing
officer for the Illinois Department
of Revenue and practiced law in
Lincoln before taking a seat on the
bench.
Thornton was a 1951 graduate of the
Lincoln College of Law in
Springfield. In community work
Thornton was legal adviser for the
Lincoln Baseball Association and
managed the Eagles Lodge Little
League baseball team.
Patrick Tim
Timoney
Patrick Tim Timoney
received his Juris Doctor degree
from the Southern Illinois
University School of Law in 1990. A
partner in Timoney and Page Law
Offices since 1992 Timoney has
served as Logan County Public
Defender, beginning in that capacity
in 1992. He concentrates in Family
and Criminal Law.
Timoney served as a Commissioner of
the Illinois Court of Claims from
2004 until 2015 and is owner of the
Corner Pub & Grill in Springfield
and the Creek Pub and Grill in
Chatham.
Harold Trapp Sr.
Harold Trapp Sr.
received his law degree from the
University of Illinois and began his
reading law in the firm of Beach &
Hodnett, continuing the office
following the death of Attorney
Beach.
A prominent trial lawyer, Trapp was
honored by the Illinois State Bar
Association for 50 years of service.
Trapp was a charter member of the
Lincoln ELKs, organizer and first
president of the Lincoln Rotary, and
served as a Lincoln College Trustee.
Judge Harold Trapp
Harold Trapp was
graduated from the University of
Illinois Law School in 1933, joining
his father in the family law firm,
Trapp & Trapp.
Trapp was appointed to the Appellate
Court in 1964, retiring from the
bench in 1986. A past multi-term
president of the Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital board, Trapp
served as president of the Lincoln
College Board of Trustees, spending
16 years as a director.
William F. Trapp
William Frederick
Trapp of Lincoln, son of Robert and
Dorothy Ward Trapp, was graduated
from the Washington University
School of Law in 1976 and worked as
an attorney in the Sangamon County
State’s Attorney’s office from 1977
until 1981.
In 1981 he undertook civil
litigation work with Brown, Hayes,
and Stephens, becoming a partner in
1984 and engaging in that work until
2004.
Trapp served on the board of the
Illinois Symphony Orchestra for ten
years.
Judge John Turner
John W. Turner
received his J D. degree from DePaul
University College of Law in 1981.
Turner served as Logan County Public
Defender from 1984 until 1987. He
was elected Logan County State’s
Attorney in 1988 and 1972. He
maintained a private practice in
Lincoln while serving as public
defender and state representative.
In 1994 Turner was elected to the
Illinois House of Representatives.
He was then appointed to the Fourth
District Appellate Court in 2001. In
2002 he was elected to a full term
on the court, where he continues to
serve.
Judge Turner is an honorary alumnus
of Lincoln College.
Thomas L. Van Hook
Thomas Van Hook
received his Juris Doctor degree
from Regent University School of Law
in 1995. Van Hook served as a Logan
County Assistant State’s Attorney
from 1996 until 1998 and has
maintained a private practice of law
in Lincoln since 1999.
Van Hook concentrates his work in
the areas of probate, estate
planning, real estate, guardianship,
and adoption.
He served on the
Illinois Supreme Court committee on
character and fitness from 2008
until 2015. In the community Van
Hook has coached youth baseball and
softball.
Thomas F. Walsh
Thomas F. Walsh was a
graduate of the Lincoln College of
Law in Springfield. He practiced law
in Lincoln for a number of years.
Judge Bill Workman
Bill Workman served
as a Logan County Assistant State’s
Attorney before his elections in
1996 and 2000 as Logan County
State’s Attorney.
While State’s Attorney Workman
established a victim/witness
advocate as a full time staff
member.
In 2014 Workman became an associate
judge of the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit.
Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright began
his practice of law in Logan County
in 1995 and served as city attorney
for Lincoln and Atlanta.
Wright was employed as a Logan
County Assistant State’s Attorney
prior to being elected State’s
Attorney in 2012 and re-elected in
2016. He is a member of the Illinois
Supreme Court for criminal pattern
jury instructions.
[Diane Osborn, LCG&HS]
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