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Charles Gregory Schierer

Personal injury Attorney at East Peoria, IL

4.8   52 reviews
  • Licensed for 15 years
    State NY
    Acquired 2008
    Status
    Currently Registered No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 23 years
    State IL
    Acquired 2000
    Status
    Active and Authorized to Practice Law No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 23 years
    State MO
    Acquired 1999
    Status
    Good Standing, Active No misconduct found

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

About Charles

Learn Charles’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Personal injury
    34%
    We represent good people who have had their lives turned upside down due to the negligence of others. We will listen to you and take the time to understand your loss and injuries. We fight hard for the best possible settlement. We will take your case to trial if the insurance company is unreasonable. Call us today.

    24 years, 500 cases

  2. Criminal defense
    33%
    We are former public defenders and a government prosecutor. We know how the system works. When you have been charged with a crime, you have questions. We have answers. We WILL listen to your side of the story. We WILL fight for your rights and freedom. We WILL do everything possible to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Call us today and get some piece of mind. From misdemeanors to murder, we have the experience to handle the tough cases.

    24 years, 750 cases

  3. Family
    25%
    Good people who are going through the toughest times of their lives, hire us to help them with their divorce, custody and support issues. Let us help you keep the pieces together.

    24 years, 250 cases

  4. Business
    4%
    Mechanics liens and contracts are important tools for contractors. We help contractors get paid for their hard work.

    24 years

  5. Real estate
    4%
    Buying or selling your home? Call us. We know how to get you through the residential real estate transaction. Real estate transactions can be complicated and vary depending on where you are buying or selling.

    24 years, 100 cases

As the managing member of Schierer & Ritchie, I represent and defend many good people every single day who are facing extremely tough criminal charges. I began my career as a criminal defense attorney with the public defender's office and then started a criminal defense practice of my own. After years of this, I made the decision to fulfill a life-long dream and spend a term serving my country in the United States Navy Jag Corps. There, I was assigned the job of criminal prosecutor. While I never thought I'd find myself in this role, I learned many invaluable lessons during my time on the other side. I carried these lessons with me back into private practice when I returned to where I belong...zealously defending the little guy. Now, I once again fight to obtain fair results for my clients.

After years of working with hundreds of clients, I have defined my core values as these: forming personal and caring relationships with my clients, advocating aggressively and zealously for my clients, and honing my legal skills through continued and regular professional training and education to better serve my clients.

I place an absolute premium on client communication and client trust. Each and every case we handle is unique. Each and every client is an individual deserving of individual attention. I personally meet with every single client, and personally investigate each and every situation. With me as your attorney, you will never feel like you are just one of the herd. I will treat you as a good person in a difficult situation, not a dollar sign and otherwise a nuisance. I will care about your case, I will respect you as a human being, I will have compassion for your situation, and I will return all communications promptly.

I advocate aggressively. I know the law. I know when cases should be settled. I know when jury trials are warranted. I know when we are getting a good deal and a bad deal from the prosecutor on a case. I form strong relationships with judges and courtroom staff, and you will be taken care of accordingly.

Finally, I believe that, as long as I live, I am a work in progress. I believe that I owe my clients the duty of continually enriching my legal knowledge and experience. Because of this, I attend trainings regularly to enrich both my legal knowledge and my courtroom skill. I will use my updated knowledge and skill to help you through your case.

Before all this began, I earned a B.S. in Accountancy from the top accountancy school in the nation at the time, the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Thereafter I earned a J.D. from one of the top 25 best law schools in the nation, Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri. I have been honored to join the bars of the States of Illinois, Missouri and New York. As a result, I am uniquely qualified to practice in all state courts in these states and in several federal courts throughout the states.

I work in both the trial and the appellate venues of practice. I have tried numerous misdemeanor and felony cases before a jury and have even had the pleasure of participating in the defense of a criminal case that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Illinois.

When not working or exploring my community, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, watching my beloved Fighting Illini, soaking in the sights at Wrigley Field, traveling, and exploring local cuisine.

 

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Schierer & Ritchie, LLC
1009 Illini Drive
East Peoria, IL, 61611

Reviews

4.8 / 5.0
  52 customer reviews
Posted by Kathy | May 27, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Recommended Criminal Defense Lawyer
Having never needed legal counsel before, Mr Schierer spent the time to explain the process and all outcomes. His patience, understanding, and legal knowledge was beyond my expectations. No question was deemed “stupid”. He responds calmly and quickly to what I deemed emergencies. Cool and collected in the courtroom, Mr Scheirer is a force to be reckoned with. The icing on the cake is being greeted by Brandon at the front desk. Always was he friendly and efficient at his job as paralegal. I will forever be thankful to Mr Schierer and his team and the work they did for my family and me.
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Posted by Dawn | February 2, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent
I have hired Mr Schierer twice in the past year and a half. It was criminal case for a juvenile. I have been extremely pleased with the service they provided. There were no hidden costs and I feel they were very honest about where the case was headed. Good communication and very professional! I will be using their services for any future legal needs!!!
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Posted by Samantha | September 20, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Charles Schierer
Schierer and Ritchie were there for me when I needed them! He was very confident that we would get the outcome we wanted. I highly recommend!
Posted by Bradley | June 17, 2019
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Wonderful to talk to, informative, and helped to put my mind at ease
He was able to help put my and my family's minds to ease on a very serious situation that had come up against me. He sounded and looked extremely confident in what he was telling me and intently listened to everything I had to say. I'm so happy and grateful that I was able to speak with him! I would definitely recommend him in a heartbeat!
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Posted by anonymous | March 7, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Charles Schierer
Charles and his staff have been a great asset to me and my case. They are all very professional and caring. I would highly recommend them.
Posted by anonymous | October 6, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional and Excellent Criminal Defense
Chuck and his staff were always professional and provided prompt help for anything I needed. Ultimately he produced a win for my case.
Posted by Rick | September 29, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Big Help
I would highly recommend Mr. Schierer for your attorney needs. He was very attentive, listen to what I had to say and spent about a half hour on the phone with me going over options. When I phoned him about my case I was doing it on my own and he was more than glad to help me and pointed out some things that would also help.
Posted by Jose | September 24, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great team
Charles and his team were great to work with. They followed up with any details that needed attention and made my experience as painless as possible. They were very courteous & helpful along the way as they we worked in my personal dealings. Thanks again!
Posted by anonymous | June 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I needed a defence attorney
Chuck was very friendly. He was always available to answer questions. He made things that were complicated very easy to understand. I didn't want to need a lawyer but I'm very glad I found Schierer.
Posted by Holly | June 12, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
This is your guy !!
Chuck and his staff were easy to work with and very helpful in every step in our case. He took time to explain and review all our options and listen to our concerns. He represented us well and I would use him again if the need should arise.
Posted by Dave | August 1, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Excellent Service
Chuck did a great job in listening to my situation and was very attentive during the consultation. He asked multiple detailed questions to ensure everything was covered. He also responded to a follow up phone call that I made to him in a timely matter. I would highly recommend Chuck Schierer for legal services.
Posted by Eileen | July 19, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Service & follow through
I hired Charles to represent me through a non-contested divorce & custody situation. I had called several firms, but when I called his office, the person on the phone was so helpful and took the time to answer some of my initial questions, it was a great 1st impression. Charles met with me personally and took his time to review my case & make suggestions that would benefit me in the agreement. He was very personable and treated me with respect and consideration. He was also with me when I went to the courthouse to finalize everything in front of a judge, that was a big reassurance for me. His paralegal kept in contact with me all throughout the process. I never had to wonder what was happening, I received timely and relevant updates from his office. All in all a great experience during a stressful time in my life. I have recommended him to others and would hire him again for any legal need I had in which he could represent me.
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Posted by Ty | July 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Terrific Attorney - Highly Recomended
I hired Mr. Schierer as my representative after a car accident. He handled my case in the utmost professional manner. He was attentive to my needs, promptly responded to my calls, and achieved a very honest and just settlement from the insurance company. My case was resolved in a very swift and timely manner as well. I am very pleased with his hard work and results, and I highly recommend him for any legal needs.
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Posted by anonymous | July 13, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
A consummate professional
I was referred to Mr. Schierer by a friend who highly recommended him. After a strong handshake and consultation with Mr. Schierer, he gave me candid legal advice and personal counsel, showed empathy, and outlined a couple of realistic legal courses of action I could take while considering my unique concerns and goals. I immediately liked and trusted him and look forward to working with him on my case.
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Posted by David | July 11, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
My review of my lawyer
Mr Schneider assisted with a legal issue that I had. He worked hard for me and I am happy to say the charges were dropped. I doubt I would have had such favorable outcome were it not for Mr.Schierer
Posted by Chris | July 11, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommended
I recently used Charles at Schierer & Ritchie to provide legal services in a business transaction which involved purchase of the building, incorporating the business and putting together a buy/sell agreement between my partner and I. I cannot say enough about how professional, timely and affordable the services were. Charles is very knowledgeable and communicates in ways which are easy to understand. I would highly recommend Schierer and Ritchie for your legal needs.
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Posted by Vince | July 11, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Always Courteous, Trustworthy, and Professional
Although I have never personally needed Charles' services, I have consulted him a few times for legal advice and he was very gracious in speaking with me. I have also referred friends and clients his way and they have been thrilled with their experiences. I feel comfortable sending business to Mr. Schierer and will continue to do so.
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Posted by James | July 11, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great outcome! Great lawyer.
I had a criminal case in Peoria. I was originally assigned a public defender, who wanted me to pled guilty and take 8 years. I hired Chuck Schierer and I could not be happier. He met with me and my wife. He listened to what we had to say. My house was searched by police. Mr. Schierer reviewed the search warrant and determined that my rights were violated by the search. He filed a Motion to throw out all the evidence. We had a hearing before the judge. I was impressed with how prepared he was. He completely outdid the prosecutor. The judge agreed with us and the evidence was thrown out. Hiring Mr. Schierer was the best decision I ever made.
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Posted by Carlos Saldana | December 18, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
A team of REAL professionals
I hired Charles Schierer for a criminal case that I had in Peoria back in April 2015. I can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made. I was facing a battery charge and some serious restitution fines if convicted. Charles and his team went to work on a defense right away, gathering as much information as they could, and kept in contact with me the whole time to give me a heads up on what was going on with the case. The trial date came and Charles' defense found so many holes in the plaintiff's story that he had the plaintiff literally contradicting himself the entire time he was on the stand. This ultimately led to the jury voting a "not guilty" verdict in our favor, and a defendant that couldn't be more happy with the outcome. :D
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Response from Charles Schierer December 22, 2015
Thank you for the kind comments. We enjoyed meeting you and helping you through this time. Best of luck with all you do!
Posted by anonymous | December 10, 2014
quality w reasonable fee
Very friendly, supportive, responsive, knowledgeable and understanding team. As a military member I was very happy with the teams' knowledge and support to unique aspects of my situation. Reasonable and comparable price for service. I was very happy with speed with which my case was handled and processed. Outstanding support.Highly recommend
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 60 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Managing Partner
  • Schierer & Ritchie, LLC
  • 2012 - Present
  • JAG
  • United States Navy
  • 2008 - 2012
  • Assistant Public Defender
  • Peoria County Office of the Public Defender
  • 2005 - 2007
  • Partner
  • Schierer & Ritchie, LLC
  • 2005 - 2008
  • Associate
  • Brown & Crouppen, PC
  • 2004 - 2005
  • Associate
  • Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard
  • 1999 - 2004
  • Summer Associate
  • Brown & James, PC
  • 1998 - 1998
  • Summer Associate
  • United States District Court Eastern District Of Missouri
  • 1997 - 1997
View all work experience

Education

  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1999
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1995

Legal Cases

  • People v. Villoreal
  • Dismissal
  • Nolan v. fast food
  • Settlement
  • People v. Graham
  • Successful Sentencing
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Tazewell County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2017 - Present
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • American Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • United States Navy JAG Corps Reserve
  • 2012 - Present
  • Chicago Bar Association, Bench & Bar Committee
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • Chicago Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee
  • 2012 - Present
  • Chicago Bar Association, Tort Litigation Committee
  • 2012 - Present
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • 2012 - Present
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • 2005 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Most Caring Advocate
  • Schierer & Ritchie, LLC
  • 2013
  • Navy Comendation Medal
  • Secretary of the Navy
  • 2012
  • Navy Achievement Medal
  • Secretary of the Navy
  • 2010
  • Certified Illinois Mediator
  • State of Illinois
  • 2008
  • Trial Pyramid -- Successful Defense Verdict
  • Sandberg Phoenix
  • N/A
  • Trial Pyramid -- Successful Defense Verdict
  • Sandberg Phoenix
  • N/A
View all awards

Publications

  • Avvo
  • What to Do When You are Arrested
  • 2013

Speaking Engagements

  • Office Seminar
  • What to do if the police stop you.
  • 2013
  • JAG conference
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice Update
  • 2013
  • Fraternity and Sorority Summit
  • Driving Under Intoxication -- What to Know Before you Decide to Drink and Drive
  • 2008

Attorney endorsements

Received (20)
Given (13)
Endorse Charles
Federal crime Attorney | Mar 24
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I practice law in upper East Tennessee, was recently retained to represent a client in a pending federal criminal prosecution. With no real notice or warning, it turned out my client was actually going to be prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. I had a very short window of time to locate Illinois counsel for him prior to my client being transported to that district. I began searching, on a Saturday, desperate to find my client and his family representation. Luckily, Mr. Schierer called me back, and we had a very productive discussion. He immediately spoke to my client's family, and we were able to get him involved. I was blown away with how accessible Mr. Schierer was on a weekend and how willing he was to help. He is a shining example for how every member of our profession should operate. If you need to refer somebody to an attorney in the Chicago/Peoria, Illinois area, or anywhere even remotely close, this is your man!"
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. I have actually referred quite of few cases to Chuck and he has done excellent work on their behalf."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 11
Relationship: Friend
"I got to know Chuck when he was a JAG in San Diego. Whenever we discussed the law, I was always impressed with the breadth of his knowledge and experience."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Chuck for a number of years and had many cases with him when I was a prosecutor. Chuck is a zealous advocate for his clients and an excellent courtroom attorney. Chuck is an outstanding attorney and I endorse him completely."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Charles. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Personal injury Attorney | Mar 23
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Chuck for many years and I have worked with him on several matters. Chuck is constantly seeking the best for his clients and is very mindful of their needs. He does a great job and strikes a balance between zealous advocacy and providing reasonable, realistic advice."
Litigation Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"You can't go wrong with Chuck Schierer. He's smart, aggressive, and works hard to win his cases. Highly recommended."
Criminal defense Attorney | May 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I whole-heartedly endorse Mr. Shierer. Chuck is an exceptional attorney who garners extraordinary results for his clients. His professionalism and integrity are well-known, as are his superior litigation skills and ability to vigorously and successfully advocate for his clients' rights. You will not be disappointed with Chuck on your side. Highly recommended!"
Criminal defense Attorney | May 08
Relationship: Co-worker
"Chuck is a true professional and skilled attorney. I've had the pleasure of watching him litigate courts-martial, where his advocacy for his client and civility towards the judges and co-counsel served as a model for junior attorneys on both sides of the aisle. He was also a fine mentor and co-worker; always ready to lend an ear or helping hand. The Navy lost a good one when Chuck entered private practice, but I know that the Illinois bar is more skilled and civil because of his practice."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this attorney. Chuck Schierer is a hard working, well respected attorney who has proven to obtain great results for his clients."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Nov 16
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Mr. Schierer has earned the respect of his fellow attorneys through his strong work ethic and legal knowledge. He offers strong advocacy for his clients in all assets of the the law from family law to criminal defense. I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Chuck is a smart, hard-working attorney that advocates with energy. He has a wide range of legal experience and I recommend him."
Personal injury Attorney | Aug 14
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Chuck and I worked together years ago and I have made sure to stay in touch because he is a great guy. Chuck not only knows all aspects of the law so he can successfully protect his clients, but he cares about his clients too. I would not hesitate to recommend Chuck to a friend."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 03
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. Charles is a hard-working, well-respected attorney. No doubt Charles will continue to work hard for his clients and continue to get the results that his client that his clients desire."
Personal injury Attorney | Aug 01
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
"Chuck is as professional as he is tenacious in representing his clients. I wholeheartedly endorse him."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 31
Relationship: Co-worker
"I had the pleasure of working with Charles for 4 years. He is one of the best attorneys I have every worked with. He is hard working, diligent, tenacious and absolutely committed to his clients."
Litigation Attorney | Jul 31
Relationship: Co-worker
"I had the pleasure of working with Chuck for two years on just about every type of criminal case. He was always prepared, poised and professional - the best litigator I've had the pleasure of working with and one of the best I've ever seen. His courtroom demeanor and ability to relate to juries is what makes him so successful. He understands people and the dynamics of a case, but what makes his practice extraordinary is his ability to tell his client's story at every phase of litigation. A trial is a human drama and Chuck is a masterful storyteller. He has the personality, technical expertise and passion of a top llitigator. I would not hesitate to recommend Chuck to any of my family or friends."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 30
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Schierer has always shown himself to be a lawyer of the highest integrity, with a commitment to doing the very best for his clients. Mr. Schierer's attention to detail on every case provides the edge required to be successful. I would highly recommend his legal services."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 28
Relationship: Co-worker
"I have watched Charles handle hundreds of criminal cases, first as a public defender, then as a private criminal defense attorney, then as a prosecutor with the United States Navy. I am most impressed by the compassion and empathy Charles has for his clients and their families. He does his best to put himself in their shoes. Next, I am impressed by Charles's courtroom advocacy. He is extremely persuasive in front of a jury, and really knows how to focus the jury's attention on holes in the prosecution's case. Also, he is a trained negotiator and mediator. He puts these skills to play in working great deals with the prosecution. Finally, Charles knows the importance of keeping his clients and their families regularly updated about the status of a case. He understands that lives and emotions are in balance, and he cares enough to ensure that everyone involved always knows what is going on. I hold Charles in the highest regard and would recommend his defense services to anyone."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 23
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Chuck Schierer is an outstanding attorney. Having handled many cases where Mr. Schierer represented the other side I can say that I have rarely known an attorney as competent, respectful, and as self-composed as Mr. Scheirer. I fully endorse this attorney."
View more endorsements
Criminal defense
Personal injury
Criminal defense
Divorce and separation
Criminal defense
Personal injury
Criminal defense
Criminal defense