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Paul Thomas Whitcombe

Family Attorney at Dixon, IL

3.4   10 reviews
  • Licensed for 30 years
    State IL
    Acquired 1992
    Status
    Active and Authorized to Practice Law No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Paul

Learn Paul’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Family
    50%
    divorce, child support, adoption, custody, removal, visitation

    31 years

  2. Criminal defense
    35%
    DUI defense, drug cases, sex crime defense, expungements, traffic, misdemeanor, felony defense. Tried nearly 80 criminal jury trials.

    31 years

  3. General practice
    15%
    Wills, deeds, contracts, small claims, civil litigation

    31 years

I have 20 plus years of legal experience.  

In criminal law, I served both as the Lee County Public Defender and as the Lee County State's Attorney.  I've tried approximately 80 criminal jury trials and hundreds of bench trials and other hearings.  I am very familiar with local prosecutors and Judges.

In family law, I've been practicing in this area since 1994 when I was with Jenner & Block, a large nationwide firm, in Chicago.  I handle divorce, custody, support, adoption, post-decree cases, contempt cases, removal petitions and all other family law related matters.

I also teach Criminal Justice courses such as Ethics, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Evidence at Sauk Valley Community College.

In my spare time, I enjoy photograph, genealogy, reading and movies.  I play trumpet with my son and father in a couple local bands and keyboard at my church.

Photos and videos

Contact Paul

Law Office of Paul Whitcombe, Chartered
223 West First Street
Dixon, IL, 61021-1009

Reviews

3.4 / 5.0
  10 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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40%
Posted by Jenny | February 13, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best of the Best
Paul is hands down the best of the best. He's personable to all parties involved. He is there at any time for any question. He has helped me tremendously with my family case for custody and helped me get Sole custody of my son. He is currently working even more on visitation and child support issues and doing it with class and strength. He is fierce in the courtroom but also strong. I have never met an attorney that is more respectful or caring when it comes to his clients. I truly am grateful for Paul and his amazing skills as a person and attorney.
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Posted by Ashley | May 20, 2015
My review
Paul and his staff did an excellent job on my case ! I worked closely with them for nearly a year . I would recommend them to anyone seeking this kind of lawyer . Paul and his staff treated my family like their own .
Posted by Olyvia | May 18, 2015
Professional, Attentive, and Experienced.
Paul is a very professional, knowledgeable and experienced attorney. Paul’s confidence and knowledge of the local justice system made me feel I had the best lawyer for my case. Paul is assertive, trustworthy and reliable. He is prompt in returning my calls and responding to emails. Paul established trust and confidence immediately. He did a great job of explaining the legal process, as well as providing sound advice and legal counsel. Paul is very knowledgeable in every area that he practices in. I believe that comes from his varied background. He has worked previously as a State’s Attorney which I believe gives him more of an insight to help his clients. Even though I know how busy he was he always made me feel as if my case was top priority. He managed to get me the outcome I desired in a timely manner as well. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone in need of a lawyer. He is simply put the best.
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Posted by Angela | May 15, 2015
Awesome Attorney
I came to Mr. Whitcombe about custody and child support for my son. We were in a domestic abuse situation with my sons father. My first meeting with Mr. Whitcombe, I told him this is about my son and his safety. Please treat this as my son is like your own child. His response I will never forget. He replied, I always do. Mr. Whitcombe has done just that. He has went above and beyond my expectations for an attorney. Even when I've felt things were not going the way I wanted, he reassured me it will work out. It has! He is extremely knowledgeable and keeps me very informed, as I keep him informed as well. You can tell Mr. Whitcombe is very passionate about what he does and he truly cares. I would highly recommend his services. I'm glad to know I have someone like him in my corner for as long as he is an attorney. He is one of the great ones!
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Posted by Jeff | May 14, 2015
best well rounded attorney in the area.
I first met Paul when he was the public defender and I was a police officer. I soon came to admire his professionaism and abilities as an attorney. When he chose to seek the office of state's attorney I joined his campaign. It was during this time I came to understand his philosophy of justice. Paul is always well prepared and committed to his clients best interest. After leaving the state's attorney office I retained him as my personal attorney. I appreciate his wisdom and abilities to connect with his clients to fully explain their legal options and provide stability in often stressful legal environments. Paul's partners and staff share his commitment to clients and provide a support team that is simply amazing. I also appreciate his commitment to helping clients and not just seeing them as a source of revenue. Having been in private practice for many years, being both the public defender and state's attorney, and handling family law, contracts, wills, and all other legal matters, he is extremely well rounded.
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Posted by anonymous | January 30, 2015
Excellent attorney
Mr. Whitcombe has been an excellent attorney for my family law case. He is responsive and respectful to all parties involved. He has fought for me and my children and he explains everything very thoroughly. He has won for me every time he has represented me in court. I was able to obtain sole custody of my children and when their father stopped paying child support, he again fought for me. Their father was found to be in contempt and ordered to pay my attorney's fees and all back child support.
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Posted by Wade | June 15, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Worst lawyer ever.
I hired Paul for my divorce. He basically represented my x wife. He buried evidence and laughed at me in court. He said all I need is a car and a girlfriend. He thought that was funny. He is a total liar and fraud. I'm sure he made a good DA.
Posted by anonymous | October 7, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Worst lawyer ever
I hired Paul to represent me in a divorce. As an x DA I thought he could work the system on my behalf. But I soon realized he is a part of the system that doesnt care. He failed to present evidence during the trial that cost me everything. he even had the audasity to tell me I was getting screwed. he failed to represent me in every way. But he had no problem taking my money.
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Posted by christy | December 14, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
divorce that was undisputed
paul took two years and a lot of money to delay my divorce that was undisputed. He is definitely interested in your money and makes the court system look like a hypocrisy.
Posted by Monica jensen | October 18, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Previous client
I hired Paul as my attorney to represent my daughter and I in a family case. Mostly to make sure she was protected and the best possible outcome was reached for her. Paul sold himself well as a very caring individual, wanting what was best for my daughter. This was in March of this year. At first he would address my worries communication seemed ok. In May he hired an assistant attorney who began to represent me in court, I had no knowledge of this. When I called to speak with Stacy Rhody to make sure she understood my fears and worries pertaining to the case she was rude to me. When I mentioned looking for a new attorney she said she would gladly be fired and give my paper work to another attorney. I hired them in March, and by September they still had made no progress in my case. Communication was horrible, there was a parenting class they failed to inform me I needed to take before my next court date. Overall, this firm has poor communication with clients and continues court cases to run clients dry if retainer so they can get the most money out of the. Definitely do not recommend!!!
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 200-250 per hour
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • State's Attorney
  • Lee County State's Attorney
  • 2004 - 2008
  • Partner
  • Thompson & Whitcombe, P.C.
  • 1996 - 2004
  • Associate
  • Jenner & Block
  • 1994 - 1996
  • Judicial Law Clerk
  • United States District Court Judge Paul E. Plunkett
  • 1992 - 1994
View all work experience

Education

  • Northern Illinois University College of Law
  • Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude
  • 1992

Associations

  • Lee County Bar Association
  • 1995 - Present
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • 1992 - Present

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • National Trial Lawyers
  • 2018
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • National Trial Lawyers
  • 2017
  • Client Rating
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2017
  • Alumnus of the Year
  • Northern Illinois College of Law Alumni Council
  • 2008
View all awards

Publications

  • The John Marshall Law Review
  • Defamation by Will: Theories and Liabilities
  • 1994
  • Northern Illinois University Law Review
  • Mandatory AIDS Testing and the Fourth Amendment
  • 1991

Speaking Engagements

  • Spring 2014
  • Ethics in Criminal Law
  • 2014

Attorney endorsements

Received (5)
Given (1)
Endorse Paul
General practice Attorney | May 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Paul professionally for more than 20 years. He is a fine person and an excellent lawyer. He has the knowledge, skills and intellect that should make any client comfortable with his representation. I highly recommend him."
Family Attorney | May 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Paul handles cases efficiently and with the utmost integrity. I enjoy having Paul on the other side of a case because not only is he personable, but he is an attorney that you can count on to follow the rules and present his case fairly."
Family Attorney | May 14
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have had several cases with Paul. Paul is able to at the same time advocate tirelessly for his client while maintaining good relationships with other attorneys. This skill set goes a long way in the ability to receive the best possible outcome for a client. I I have always found Paul to be extremely professional."
Litigation Attorney | May 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Paul his entire carrier as an attorney both professionally and personally. As an attorney he has one of the greatest legal minds I have ever run across. His work ethic and ability in the courtroom is second to none, and he treats his clients like family. As a person he is of the up most character in every way. I could not give him a higher recommendation."
Family Attorney | May 13
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Attorney Whitcombe is highly regarded by his peers in family law, criminal law and estate matters."