ISBA Rural Practice Section Council Attorney Profile: Elizabeth Eberspacher Nohren
Background and introduction
Full Name: Elizabeth Eberspacher Nohren
Hometown/Current Residence: Shelbyville, IL
Law School Attended and Year of Graduation: SIU Law, 2001
Year Admitted to the Illinois Bar: 2001
Current Role or Status (e.g., practicing attorney, judge, retired): Practicing attorney
Brief overview of your current or most recent practice: Civil litigation firm with concentration in family law, banking, real estate, and estate planning/probate
Career path and practice
Q: What inspired you to pursue a legal career, particularly in a rural setting?
A: Moved home from Chicago to practice with my father and then inherited the family firm. Work life balance and opportunities for travel.
Q: What areas of law have you focused on throughout your career?
A: Family law, banking.
Q: Did you always intend to practice in a rural area? Why or why not?
A: No. I moved home from the city to work with my father and run for judge—at his untimely passing I inherited the rural family firm and withdrew from the judicial race.
Q: Describe your typical client base and the community you serve.
A: My client base now is primarily white collar business owners and their various needs.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your legal career?
A: Being able to control my schedule for personal matters that have arisen and taking extended leaves working remote to travel with family. Lots of work—too much—so the silver lining is never needing more work.
Q: What aspects of the practice are most challenging or frustrating?
A: Needy clients; opposing counsel not meeting deadlines, not doing the work, and making it more difficult, lengthy, and expensive for my client.
Q: Was there anything you actively worked to change or improve in the legal system or in your practice environment?
A: Focus on my staff’s family needs—close at 1 pm Fridays; no office hours on weekends; close office for all court holidays; incorporated “flex” time for sporting events and children’s needs.
Q: How has rural legal practice changed over the course of your career?
A: Attorney demeanor not professional; judge’s unprofessional commentary on the bench.
Accomplishments and contributions
Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: Taking over the firm at the age of 35 and keeping it thriving to date.
Q: Have you been involved in community service, local organizations, or bar association work? Please describe.
A: Constantly donate time/money—area scholarships; chamber board membership; donate to area schools—time and money; joined Rural Practice Section Council. Attend bi-annual ISBA Family Law Conference.
Q: Are there any cases, projects, or experiences that stand out as especially meaningful or impactful?
A: Too many to list (lol).
Looking ahead
Q: What advice would you give to young attorneys considering rural practice?
A: Choose wisely with your firm—make sure goals/personal and professional align.
Q: What opportunities do you think exist today in rural law practice that didn’t exist earlier in your career?
A: More opportunities for female litigators.
Q: How can the Rural Practice Section Council better support attorneys in rural areas?
A: Funding; staff and associates.
Q: Are there services, programs, or initiatives you'd like to see the Illinois State Bar Association expand or implement?
A: Downstate/Central IL CLE’s.