I, Eric D. Puryear, am an Attorney at Law who grew up in the Chicago area and now lives in the Quad Cities. I am licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois and Iowa, and admitted in all of the Federal District Courts for the states of Illinois and Iowa.
Regarding criminal matters, I have handled all manner of cases, ranging from murder to speeding tickets. I have negotiated hundreds of plea deals for my clients when doing so was in their best interest. In cases where a plea bargain was not in the client's interest, I have taken cases to trial.
Turning to civil matters, I have represented clients in suits at law, divorce/dissolution proceedings, child custody hearings, juvenile petitions, parental rights terminations, and small claims matters. I have also handled worker's compensation, personal injury, and other matters, fighting to protect the rights of my clients who were injured and left without proper compensation.
Early in my career while working for private law firms and the United States Department of Defense, I gained extensive research and legal writing skills. I now apply these skills to every case and every document that I draft for my clients.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Member: American Bar Association
Member: Illinois State Bar Association
Member: Iowa State Bar Association
Member: Rock Island County, IL Bar Association
Member: National Bar Association (the oldest and largest association of Black Lawyers and Judges)
PREVIOUS LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Jack A. Schwartz and Associates, Rock Island, IL : Attorney
I handled criminal matters, ranging from simple traffic tickets all the way up to murder. I also handled civil matters, including family law, personal injury, forfeiture, etc. (February 2010- November 2010)
United States Department of Defense, Army Sustainment Command Office of Counsel. ROCK ISLAND, IL; Law Clerk
Drafted legal opinions concerning government procurement, the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and military law. Advised as to the legality and business sense of issues relating to copyright and trademark.
Law Offices of Richard C. Moenning Chicago, IL: Law Clerk
I handled matters relating to probate, including asset collection and creditor notification.
Hurley Stanners Oak Park, IL: Legal Intern
I handled real estate, business law, and other transactional legal matters.
United States Department of Defense, Army Sustainment Command Office of Counsel. ROCK ISLAND, IL; Summer Intern
I Prosecuted misdemeanor and traffic offenses in Federal court. I participated in Government contract protest defenses, drafted wills, reviewed documents for releasability under the Freedom of Information Act.
