Paul J. Evans
817 West U.S. Highway 50
O’Fallon, IL 62269
618-628-9092
618-628-9823 (fax)

Paul J. Evans has been practicing law for 20 years, admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1988 and the Illinois Bar in 1989. He has had a range of legal experiences, which leads him to be well suited for identifying and responding to a wide range of client needs.

Paul Evans is the principle attorney for his own law firm, which serves his fundamental philosophy of serving the client’s needs. By maintaining a small size, individual attention can be given to all client matters, including the flexibility for rapid attention as the needs warrant. This is coupled with a reputation for quality and thoroughness in representing his clients. Evans’ practice is concentrated in all matters pertaining to real estate, both commercial and residential. He is an attorney member agent of Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund and can provide all title and closing services. He has been recognized for his expertise in agricultural and real estate law by the Leading Lawyers Network.
He has been the author of a chapter on the development of agricultural land for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, a respective authoritative publisher and hence will be used by most Illinois attorneys. This was Chapter 12 Development of Agricultural Land, Commercial Real Estate Volume, July 2004 and Chapter Update 2006. Paul Evans has represented both non-profit land trusts and owners in drafting and negotiating conservation easements and has been a speaker on this issue for both the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education.

Paul Evans also concentrates in the area of estate planning, probate, and elder law. Being the parent of a child with special needs, he is also prepared estate plans for others with children and family members having special needs, fully understanding their unique circumstances and situations, and the unique legal needs that they have. He takes special efforts to meet with every client on an individual basis for an extensive interview, which allows him to assist his clients in developing their goals, identifies for them problem areas and concerns they may not even be aware of, and then provides them a range of creative options for obtaining their goals.

Representation is also provides to clients creating business entities and engaging in commercial transactions. Evans also provides more than just transactional services, and has an extensive litigation background. Although much of his current litigation activity is connected to his specialty areas, he has represented clients in various discrimination and personal injury claims and that is an active part of the firm’s practice.

A believer in the constructive approach to law, Evans has served as an arbitrator for the St. Clair County Courts for its mandatory arbitration system since it was first instituted by St. Clair County. Evans is also a trained mediator and has assisted in the amicable resolution of disputes.

In his early years, Evans has had diverse experiences including working for a senior citizens legal aid service, and a number of years defending clients in major personal injury and construction related claims.

Personal Background

Paul was born in 1960 on a dairy and hog farm in Randolph County, Illinois and grew up helping with the family farm. He obtained his Bachelors Degree in Agri-business Economics in 1981 at the age of 20 from Southern Illinois University –Carbondale. He spent several years working for the FS Farm Cooperative system in various positions in Southern Illinois before returning to law school. He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law – Carbondale, Illinois in May 1988, during which time he had been on the Dean’s List, obtained a book award for highest grade in the class and served as a research assistant for one of the law professors. Paul settled in St. Clair County in 1990, and opened his own solo practice in 1998 in O’Fallon, Illinois where he has remained.

Paul has been married to his wife, Sandy since 1987. Together they are the parents of three children, including a daughter born with severe Spina Bifida. This added dimension to his life allows him to relate to other clients with special needs.

Community Involvement

Paul Evans is a member of a number of state and professional organizations. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Agricultural Law Section Council, including having served as Chairman of the Section Council.

Evans practices and believes in being a member of the community. He is the lifetime member of the SIU Alumni Association and a past president of the School of Law Alumni Association and has serviced on its Board of Visitors.

Evans has been active in his faith serving in various positions in his church and as a member of the St. Teresa Catholic School Board, chairing the various committees over the years. He serviced on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Daycare, including being President for a number of years. Currently he is the inaugural President and founding member of the Early Childhood Development Foundation, created to serve the needs of educating children prior to their entry into the O’Fallon Public Grade School. Previously he served on and chaired on the committees in the Catholic Education Initiative for the Diocese of Belleville and is a former Board of Director of Catholic Charities. He is a founding member of the O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Club and serves on its Board of Directors.

Evans has an active interest in quality of life issues and has served non-profits such as Trailnet in St. Louis, as an early leader in the development of Rails-to-Trails and in promoting active lifestyles, and representing in Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development, a non-profit serving seven counties. He helped support the initiative that lead to the creation of the Metro-East Parks and Recreation District, and has served as Board Member and Secretary of the Board since its creation to the present.

Angela joined the Evans Law Firm as an Associate Attorney in August, 2008. Angela currently practices in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning, probate, landlord/tenant and traffic matters. Angela is excited to continue her legal career at the Evans Law Firm, and looks forward to expanding her practice areas into new fields of law.

Prior to joining the Evans Law Firm, Angela worked as an attorney and law clerk in the domestic/family law field in Clayton, Missouri. Angela also previously worked for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri as a law clerk and paralegal.

Angela obtained her law license in Missouri in October, 2007, and in Illinois in May, 2008.

EDUCATION:
Angela is a 2007 graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law with a Certificate in International and Comparative Law. While in law school, Angela was awarded the academic excellence award in Family Law for achieving the highest grade in the class. In addition to her studies, Angela was active in various organizations. Specifically, she volunteered as a First-Year Student Mentor and was a member of the Women Law Students’ Association and International Law Students’ Association.

Prior to law school, Angela attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where she graduated a semester early with a double major in Spanish and International Studies, Summa Cum Laude. Angela was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Phi Sigma Iota an international foreign language honors fraternity, Model United Nations, and Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she also served as the sorority’s Risk Management Educator. Angela also studied abroad in Madrid, Spain.

ORGANIZATIONS:
Member, St. Clair County Bar Association
Member, Illinois Bar Association
Member, Missouri Bar
Member, O’Fallon, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Member, SEEK, Professional Women’s Marketing Group

PERSONAL:
Angela is originally from Pana, Illinois, and she still enjoys visiting the area often. She recently relocated from St. Louis, and purchased her first home in the area with her husband Ryan. Angela and Ryan were married in 2003 and relocated from Central Illinois to St. Louis, so that Angela could attend law school. After living in St. Louis for 5 years, Angela is excited to return to Illinois, and to make her home in Metro-East.