Cheryl A. Powell | Mount Vernon Divorce & Family Lawyer

I have lived in Southern Illinois, since 1987. Since I am a transplant from the Chicago area, I did not attend school here and am not familiar with the general gossip about people around town. I find that a lot of clients prefer to have lawyers who are not already involved in either parties' business in some form or fashion.

I have practiced law for over 30 years. Please see my profile for my areas of practice. I have worked as a solo practitioner, an associate, a public defender, and a legal services attorney.

I serve in the capacities of attorney, guardian ad litem, attorney for a minor child, child's representative, and mediator.

I represent people in the following counties: Bond, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, and White.

I have previously resided in Mantachie, Mississippi; and Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. I have spent a great deal of time in the St. Louis area, as well as traveling in and outside of the USA. I have traveled internationally to Australia, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. I find studying the legal systems and social systems in other cultures to be absolutely fascinating!

I love practicing law and helping families! We have all had hard times at some time or another. We just have to dust ourselves off and pick ourselves back up off the ground.

Call me. You will want me in your corner!

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
The State of Illinois sought to remove the mother of her emancipated son as the guardian of her son, who was placed at Murray Center. Basically they argued that she should be removed for reasons such as getting a second opinion several times regarding her son's medical care. Arguing to change her son's medical care as a result of that second opinion. Trying to change her son's medications based on second opinions. Suggesting that the son was using his mother to manipulate them, such as when he exerted self harming behaviors, the agency was required to call mom and mom would be talking to him. Stating that mom brought too much food for him to eat. Mom was very involved as a parent. Her son was 26 years old. After a lengthy hearing, the court found that mom should not be removed, as mom had not physically abused or neglected her son. Quite the contrary. She was very involved in her son's care and her guardianship remained intact.

A client was charged with first degree murder. He had killed his biological father at age 18. He found 18 videotapes of 6 hours each, many containing videos of his father sexually abusing his half sister. My client and his friend became enraged. His father had a bashed-in head with a hammer, bashed in ribs with a hammer, broken leg with a pipe, 36 stabs to the heart and ultimately, a slashed throat. The jury returned with a verdict of second degree murder and he was sentenced to 22 years with day for day good time. Today he is out of prison, he is married and has a child. Had he been convicted of first degree murder, he would have had to serve 20 to 60 years with no day for day good time.

How did you build a successful practice?
I was able to build a successful practice by working in several types of practices ...legal services, associate in private practice, public defender, solo practitioner, court appointed guardian ad litem and mediation. I can practice in several different practice areas: family law, juvenile law, guardianships, wills, powers of attorney and some criminal law.

I also practice in several different counties, giving me a well-rounded experience with many judges in the second, fourth and twentieth judicial circuits.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Clients should look for a lawyer that they can relate to and that believe in them. Lawyers who are honest and do not promise them the moon and the sun and the stars and the sky, who give them a more realistic expectation for their outcome.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Local knowledge can sometimes be important. The lawyer needs to have some idea about the judge the client is likely to appear in front of, how the judge has ruled in previous cases that are similar, etc.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
In a free phone consultation, I will get a brief idea of the level of complexity of your case and determine what your retainer fee would be.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
In a free phone consultation, I need to know who you want to sue and why. What are you fighting over? Are there children? Pension or 401K Plan? Real estate? What the incomes of the couple we are?

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
How am I different from other lawyers? People are often surprised that they can speak to me so easily, like they are sitting around with a cup of coffee at their kitchen table. I have a Master's degree in Social Work, which enables me to zero in on key points quickly.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is that I am able to give my clients a new lease on life and hope for the future.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
My interests in addition t ok law are traveling internationally and domestically.

Are you involved in your community?
I have just moved to St. Clair County and we have COVID, so I am not involved in the community yet. Previously, I was very involved in sexual assault and domestic violence issues, both of which greatly affect my clients' lives.