Biography
I currently live in Springfield with my wife, Annie, 1-year-old daughter Maggie, and two dogs, Iceman and Hollywood. I was appointed as Springfield's Corporation Counsel by Mayor Misty Buscher on June 1, 2023. Prior to that appointment, I served as General Counsel for the Illinois Municipal League. I began my practice with Sorling Northrup, working in the areas of civil litigation and municipal law, and was named partner in 2021. During my time at Sorling, I served as counsel to many downstate units of local government including many municipalities neighboring Springfield.
Throughout my time at ISBA, I have been fortunate to take on several leadership roles, including Chair of the Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council, ISBA Young Lawyer of the Year (Outside Cook County), member of the Local Government Section Council, and current ISBA Young Lawyer Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates (Outside Cook County). As a member of the Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council, I was able to serve on the Supreme Court Rule 222 Subcommittee and present proposed amendments to the Rule to the Board of Governors for review and approval. The proposal was approved by the ISBA Assembly in June, 2021 and ultimately presented to the Illinois Supreme Court for consideration.
I have also had the privilege of serving on the planning committee for ISBA’s Allerton Conference since 2017, co-chairing the event in 2023. The Allerton Conference brings together attorneys and judges from across the state to consider emerging trends and topics impacting the practice of law. This conference is a model illustration of ISBA’s mission to assist lawyers in the practice of law and promote improvements to the administration of justice.
I received my B.S. from the University of Dayton (go Flyers!) cum laude with Berry Scholar distinction in 2010 and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2013.
Issue Statement
I intend to reaffirm the value of ISBA membership to downstate and young lawyers through targeted continuing legal education and legislative efforts that will strengthen and protect the practice of law as a profession in this State.