ISBA Rural Practice Section Council: Attorney Profile Interview

Background and introduction

1. Full Name: Sara Stephenson Peska

2. Hometown/Current Residence: Champaign, IL (hometown) and Freeport, IL (since 2009)

3. Law School Attended and Year of Graduation: Northern Illinois University College of Law (2008)

4. Year Admitted to the Illinois Bar: 2008

5. Current Role or Status (e.g., practicing attorney, judge, retired): Attorney in private practice at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC

6. Brief overview of your current or most recent practice: General Practice with emphasis in civil litigation including family law and personal injury, estate planning and probate, guardianships, adoptions, guardian ad litem work, and real estate

Career path and practice

1. What inspired you to pursue a legal career, particularly in a rural setting?

In a rural setting I can truly serve as a comprehensive legal counselor for clients as their needs arise during all stages of life. I not only enjoy keeping updated on a variety of areas, it is critical for my business to stay active and educated on a multitude of practice areas to serve clients.

2. What areas of law have you focused on throughout your career?

I have almost exclusively practiced in general practice (litigation and transactions); however, I am a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office! (My science degree is in Molecular and Cellular Biology.)

3. Did you always intend to practice in a rural area? Why or why not?

As a young adult I could not imagine living anywhere smaller than my hometown of Champaign-Urbana (admittedly not so metropolitan!), but I am thrilled to have settled in Stephenson County of approximately 50,000 people. Living and practicing in rural Northwest Illinois also allows me to stay in-touch with our family’s agricultural roots in Western Illinois, being the child of farming families back many generations. My husband is from Freeport, Illinois, so it is also wonderful being close to his family here.

4. Describe your typical client base and the community you serve.

I serve clients of all walks of life in our area and thrive on referrals from friends and former clients. I also appreciate the strong network of NIU COL alums in our region; it seems to me we do a great job of referring to each other in practice!

5. What did you enjoy most about your legal career?

I enjoy helping people through life’s challenges and being able to guide them to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, or their businesses. Many days, it seems the best advice we give people is simple life advice from the experiences we have, and that is rewarding, as well!

6. What aspects of the practice were most challenging or frustrating?

Meeting clients at various stages of crisis can be challenging to personally manage but requires a strong focus and resilient spirit. I am grateful for the mentorship of the attorneys in my office to support the challenging cases and professional situations; I am truly grateful to Attorney Tim Mahoney and his father, retired Federal Magistrate P. Michael Mahoney, who encourage me daily through the many faceted challenges of case management.

7. Was there anything you actively worked to change or improve in the legal system or in your practice environment?

I am committed to the development of rural practice in Illinois and the retention and recruitment of attorneys in rural areas, such as the 15th Circuit of Illinois: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties. I see the legal deserts here and want to do what I can to support the profession.

8. How has rural legal practice changed over the course of your career?

I am fortunate to have been mentored throughout my career by experienced, respected practitioners. I would like to see a stronger emphasis on mentorship in our profession, which I believe in turn will reap dividends for the civility of attorneys (which I also feel has suffered in my time practicing) and, in turn, promote better civility among litigants.

Accomplishments and contributions

1. What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am proud to have developed my practice to be able to serve the matters I choose to work on, as well as manage a schedule that supports this season of my life, as my husband and I raise our three children.

2. Have you been involved in community service, local organizations, or bar association work? Please describe.

In addition to being a member of the ISBA’s Rural Practice Section Council, I am Stephenson County Bar Association President and a member of Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, and Lee County Bar Associations. I am a member of the P. Michael Mahoney chapter of the Federal Bar Association. I have served on the board of several nonprofits including the Highland Community College Foundation, the Northen Illinois Community Action Agency, Freeport Phantoms Youth Football and Cheer Club, the Senior Resource Center of Stephenson and Jo Daviess County, the Boys and Girls Club of Freeport and Stephenson County, and the FHN Family Counseling Center. I am a 10-year, charter member of the 100 Women Who Care of Stephenson County where I have also served as a steering committee member. I also spearhead our children’s parochial school’s parent teacher association. When I take time for my hobbies, I enjoy ladies’ golf league, swimming, and summer pops band where I play the bari sax.

3. Are there any cases, projects, or experiences that stand out as especially meaningful or impactful?

Having clients refer their friends and family to me gives me great fulfilment. Being able to help people through difficult situations and navigate crisis is impact enough. To name any one example would be impossible.

Looking ahead

1. What advice would you give to young attorneys considering rural practice?

For those from rural areas not considering it, expand your thinking to consider the endless opportunity in these areas. For those unsure about rural practice, consider a clerkship or associate position to get some exposure to step back and enjoy this pace of life. I also recommend judicial clerkships in rural counties. Finally, anyone with some interest should apply to the Rural Practice Fellowship Program!

2. What opportunities do you think exist today in rural law practice that didn’t exist earlier in your career?

The lack of influx of rural attorneys means the demand for services is here. Rural areas are lacking in the number of attorneys sufficient to continue to meet client needs.

3. How can the Rural Practice Section Council better support attorneys in rural areas?

Support should begin with encouraging rural students to consider legal careers and attend law schools. This requires present attorneys to make time to mentor and support associates. I personally invest in this by the Section Council but also speaking to careers classes at local schools and making a concerted effort to speak with students inquiring about the profession.

4. Are there services, programs, or initiatives you'd like to see the Illinois State Bar Association expand or implement?

I believe two financial initiatives could promote the rural practice considerations among law students and new attorneys: (1) promoting the affiliation of rural bar associations directly with the ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program stipends; and (2) exploring rural legal practice student loan assistance for a duration after law school, akin to rural medical practice loan assistance programs.

5. Anything else you'd like to share with your peers or the broader legal community?

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute my thoughts! I encourage our colleagues to remain active in their local bar associations to promote civility, enhance networking in our profession, and ultimately support our partnerships within the ISBA among rural and urban attorneys.