[caption id="attachment_1254" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Lincoln photo in collection of firm leaders"][/caption] Brown, Hay & Stephens in Springfield has two claims to fame that make it a pillar of the Illinois law community. The firm has roots dating back to 1828 and is recognized as the oldest law firm in Illinois. It was started by a young lawyer, John T. Stuart, shortly after his 21st birthday. The firm was also home to a young Abraham Lincoln, who practiced there from 1837-1841. Lincoln's picture is part of a collage of firm leaders in the main conference room. There is also an A. Lincoln conference room. Partner and longtime ISBA member Claire Manning has been with the firm for the past five years. "I think it's great to practice law here and it's a very stable place especially with the Lincoln heritage," said Manning, an environmental lawyer. "It's also great to be in Springfield. I'm sitting in my office looking out at the New State Capitol from one window and the Old State Capitol from another." Brown, Hay and Stephens currently has 28 attorneys at its office at 205 S. 5th Street in Springfield. "The coolest thing about the building is the view," Manning said.

[caption id="attachment_948" align="alignright" width="140" caption="Firm principal Laurel Bellows"][/caption] Bellows and Bellows is a boutique business firm located in the historic Rookery Building at 209 S. La Salle. The firm is nationally renowned for its leadership and advocacy. Longtime ISBA member and firm principal Laurel G. Bellows is a business lawyer with over 30 years of expertise in employment law, counseling of senior executives and corporations worldwide in connection with executive compensation issues. The firm moved into new space at the Rookery, built in 1888, four years ago. The Rookery is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. "We get to start each day with [building architects] Daniel Burnham and Frank Lloyd Wright in this beautiful and sunny place," Bellows said. "The sheer beauty of it can bring a smile and make even a rainy day worthwhile." And the building has also been a big hit with clients. "We are an international practice and this building is known everywhere in the world.