Feldman Wasser

Central Illinois scope and history

Based in Springfield, Feldman Wasser serves clients across Central Illinois. The firm says it has practiced in the region for more than a quarter century. During that period, it grew from a single attorney to eight attorneys.

The listed services cover matters involving individuals, businesses, employers, public bodies and families. The firm handles disputes, transactions, regulatory questions and planning work. In my opinion, this range is useful for clients whose legal issues cross into several fields.

The website identifies work in administrative law, business law, civil rights, commercial real estate, construction, criminal defense, family law, government, labor and employment, estate planning and probate. It also names business valuation, administrative hearings and traffic violations. Each label points to a defined type of legal work.

How the attorney team is built

The named roster has attorneys at several career levels. Howard W. Feldman is the founding partner. Stanley N. Wasser, Carl R. Draper, Kelli E. Gordon and Ashley D. Davis are partners.

Betsy Blakeman is an associate. Stuart H. Shiffman is of counsel. These titles give clients a basic view of the firm's internal structure and the professional roles held by each listed lawyer.

Experience across court and advisory work

The firm describes work in civil and criminal trials. It also handles appeals in federal and state courts. That combination covers cases at the trial level and later proceedings in which an appellate court reviews the lower court record.

An appeal usually centers on written briefs, the existing record and claimed legal errors. Appellate judges may also hear oral argument. Trial work has a different focus, with evidence, witnesses, motions and rulings developing before the court.

The site connects the attorneys with negotiations and advisory matters as well. It names contract talks, labor negotiations, employment regulations and business regulations. This work can call for document review, risk assessment and clear drafting before a dispute reaches court.

Criminal, civil rights and administrative matters

The criminal defense list includes federal crimes, drug crimes and white collar crimes. These categories can involve different investigators, charging authorities and court rules. Federal charges proceed in the federal court system, while other prosecutions may proceed under Illinois law.

Stages of a criminal case

A criminal case may include an initial appearance, charging decisions, discovery and pretrial motions. Plea discussions may occur, and some cases proceed to trial. The firm states that its work includes criminal trials and appeals.

Drug cases often turn on the substance involved, the alleged quantity and the circumstances of a search or seizure. White collar cases may involve financial records, communications and business documents. Federal cases can include grand jury activity and federal sentencing rules.

Traffic violations also appear among the services listed on the website. Such cases can require a court appearance, review of the citation and attention to the driver's record. The charge and the driver's circumstances shape the available response.

Civil rights and agency proceedings

The firm lists civil rights as a practice area. Civil rights cases may involve government conduct, workplace issues or access to rights protected by federal or state law. The governing statute, filing deadline and available remedy depend on the facts and the public or private actor involved.

Administrative law and administrative hearings form another part of the firm's stated work. Agencies often begin a matter through a notice, application, complaint or licensing question. The parties may submit records, call witnesses and present legal arguments to a hearing officer or board.

The firm's government work includes municipal representation and licensing. Municipal legal matters can involve ordinances, official decisions, contracts and regulatory duties. Licensing matters often require applications, supporting records, responses to agency concerns and appearances at hearings.

Employment, business and property work

Employers and workers may encounter the firm through labor and employment matters. The site names contract and labor negotiations, regulatory compliance, termination disputes and unemployment benefit disputes. Those services include both forward planning and contested claims.

Workplace claims and negotiations

Employment regulations can affect hiring records, workplace policies, pay practices and termination decisions. A dispute may begin with an internal record, an agency filing or a claim in court. Contracts and collective bargaining agreements can add duties that arise apart from general employment statutes.

Unemployment benefit disputes usually proceed through a state administrative system. The agency reviews the separation from employment and the evidence supplied by the parties. Hearings may address testimony, workplace records and the reason the employment ended.

Labor negotiations depend on contract language and the bargaining relationship. Proposals, counterproposals and written terms create the record of the parties' positions. Clear drafting matters because the final agreement can govern wages, working conditions and dispute procedures.

Business law and valuation

The firm lists business law and business valuation. Business counsel may review contracts, ownership documents, regulatory duties and disputes between parties. The exact task depends on the company, the transaction and the legal issue presented.

Business valuation may arise in ownership disputes, marital property division or other proceedings involving a company's value. The process commonly examines financial statements, income, assets, liabilities and ownership interests. The valuation date and chosen method can affect the resulting figure.

The firm's work also includes business regulations. Regulatory matters may require review of agency rules, licenses, required filings and enforcement notices. Businesses often need a clear record of the facts and the steps taken in response.

Commercial real estate and construction

Commercial real estate appears as a separate practice area. A transaction can involve purchase agreements, leases, title records, land use rules and closing documents. Each document assigns duties and may affect the timing of possession, payment or development.

Construction law and construction projects are also part of the stated practice. Construction matters commonly involve project contracts, plans, change orders, payment requests and completion terms. Disputes may concern the scope of work, delays, workmanship or amounts due.

Real estate and construction questions can also intersect with government regulation. Zoning, permits and licensing may affect whether a project moves forward under its planned terms. Municipal decisions can shape use of the property and required approvals.

Family matters, probate and personal planning

The family law list includes divorce, child custody, marital property division and domestic violence. The firm also identifies adoption among its work. These cases involve court filings and facts tied closely to the people concerned.

Divorce and parenting issues

A divorce case may require financial disclosures, property records and proposed parenting arrangements. Courts may need to address marital assets, debts and the care of children. Agreements can resolve some issues, while a judge decides issues that remain contested.

Child custody proceedings focus on parenting responsibilities and the child's schedule under Illinois law. Parents may present proposed plans, communications and evidence about the child's needs. Later requests can raise enforcement or modification questions.

Domestic violence matters can involve petitions for protective relief and court hearings. Timing can be urgent, and the court may examine testimony, written communications and other records. Related family cases may affect contact, residence and parenting arrangements.

Adoption, wills and trusts

Adoption proceedings require a petition and court approval. Depending on the circumstances, the process may involve consent, notice and records about the proposed legal relationship. A final court order establishes the new legal status.

The firm prepares wills and trusts. A will states how a person wants property handled after death and can nominate people for defined roles. A trust holds property under written terms and identifies the duties of the trustee.

Probate is also listed among the firm's services. Probate courts may confirm a will, appoint a representative, address creditor claims and supervise distribution of estate property. The firm's website separately lists traffic violations among its legal services.