Practice Areas

Our firm represents several local banks as well as some regional and national banks. We provide our banking clients with representation concerning almost all aspects of their business, including mortgage foreclosures, loan document preparation and analysis, transactional advice, secured property, title examinations, replevin and various other matters. We also represent our banking clients in litigation.

Our civil litigation practice encompasses a wide range of disputes, including insurance defense, personal injury, and general civil practice. We handle contract disputes, liens and lien foreclosures, damage claims, employment issues, real estate taxation, forcible entry and detainer, and various other civil practice matters. We also handle appeals and frequently act as local counsel in Southern Illinois.

We assist with the formation of business entities, including corporations and limited liability companies; as well as the sale, merger and acquisitions of ongoing businesses. We also provide general representation to business clients necessary for the ongoing operation and maintenance of their businesses, including the drafting and negotiation of contracts and well as general counsel and advice.

Our firm represents creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings. We do not practice debtor bankruptcy. Representation includes filing of claims, contested matters, appearances in bankruptcy court and document review.

Our practice covers the major family law issues including divorce, property settlement and child custody matters, but also offers experience in areas including prenuptial agreements, paternity actions, modifications, adoption, and post-judgment proceedings. See www.carnine.net for more information and answers to frequently asked questions surrounding divorce and family law matters.

This is a broad category which is already inclusive of many of the specific and defined areas of practice. Feel free to give our firm a call on your particular issue and we will either help or can direct you to a knowledgeable attorney.

We can help with the often exhausting process of evictions, foreclosures and similar. We are aware of the notice requirements, obligations and especially the costs involved in landlord/tenant matters and it is our goal to make it economical for you.

Mediation and Arbitration of Personal Injury Litigated Matters: Several members of our firm have been actively involved in mediation and arbitration not only personal injury matters, but also financial, corporate and other similar issues. Give us a call if you have a need for mediation, arbitration or similar.

Mineral law is a significant and long-standing practice of our firm in which we provide counsel regarding all aspects of the coal, oil, and gas industry; including ownership, correlative rights, exploration and development, regulatory law, acquisitions and dispositions, and other matters related to mineral law. Our clients include owners, operators, producers, and contractors from national corporations to locally owned small businesses. Services include contract and lease preparation, title examinations, title opinions, civil litigation, purchase and sale transactions, due diligence, and financing arrangements. When necessary, we represent our clients in administrative litigation before the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and in matters before the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. We also represent companies with matters related to other minerals such as fluorspar and rare minerals, as well as non-mineral substances such as gravel, limestone, and dirt.

Our firm represents various municipalities as attorney of record, assisting our clients with transactions, ordinance drafting, employment issues, governance, and litigation (ordinance enforcement, demolition actions, etc.).

Our firm handles every aspect of real estate law for both local and out-of-state individuals and companies. We perform legal services in the area of negotiations, document preparation, document examination, title examination, zoning and other activities related to the sale and purchase of real property. We also prosecute and defend real estate litigation such as mortgage foreclosures, lien foreclosures, title issues, reformation, partition, contract enforcement and the like. Our firm is also a member of Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. and is an authorized issuer of title insurance policies for the company. Title examination and issuance of title commitments and policies on real estate transactions is handled for individuals, companies, and lenders.

We provide estate planning assistance to clients, which often includes the execution of a will or trust, power of attorney for health care and power of attorney for property. Some of the many planning considerations can include estate and gift tax planning, business succession planning and probate avoidance. We also provide legal services needed to administer estates and trusts, which can include the probate of an estate and representation of beneficiaries. Upon the death of a decedent, we provide assistance to executors and trustees on the decision to probate an estate, the inventory and accounting of assets, distributions to beneficiaries and any other actions that may be required. Legal assistance can also be provided to establish a guardianship over a minor child or a disabled adult, as well as provide counsel to guardians and/or wards.