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About Yolanda
Biography
Yolanda earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and a Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law. A proud Peoria native, she is deeply passionate about her work and committed to advocating for her clients.
She began her legal career as a Staff Attorney at a large regional firm handling matters across nine central Illinois counties, where her practice focused on expungements and record sealing, post-conviction criminal relief, family law, landlord–tenant disputes, orders of protection, and guardianship matters.
Yolanda later joined a smaller private practice, concentrating on family law, criminal defense, and expungement/sealing work, before moving on to serve as a Litigation Attorney with Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C. There, she focused on civil litigation, criminal defense, expungement/sealing, family law, and estate planning.
She is now the founder and principal of her own solo practice, serving clients throughout Central Illinois.
Yolanda is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Peoria County Bar Association, Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Prairie State Legal Services Peoria Campaign for Legal Service, serves on the board of Elite Community Outreach, a member of the PCBA - Foundation Trustee Committe, and the ISBA Committee on Equal Justice.
Her prior leadership roles include serving on the board of the Hult Center for Healthy Living, as President of the Peoria Area Chapter of the ACLU and former member of Central Illinois Black Bar Association.
Yolanda’s dedication and impact have been recognized through numerous honors, including:
2018 Doers of Deeds Award
2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award
2021 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year – PCBA
2023 Peoria Role Model Project Recipient- City of Peoria
2024 Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll Recipient – Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
2024 Game Changer Award – Elite Community Outreach
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 9 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Offices of Yolanda J. Riley, LLC
http://www.yolandarileylaw.com, 2601 W. Lake Ave. Ste. A6 #202, Peoria, IL, 61615
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Yolanda Riley's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
124 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (124)
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Practice Areas
Expungement (23)
Child Custody (11)
Lawsuits & Disputes (11)
Divorce & Separation (10)
Family (10)
Criminal Defense (6)
Adoption (4)
Guardianship (4)
Litigation (3)
Domestic Violence (2)
Juvenile (2)
Wills & Living Wills (2)
Drug Crime (1)
Elder Law (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
Power Of Attorney (1)
Social Security Disability (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (60)
Advocacy (38)
Recommendation (38)
Professionalism (32)
Communication Style (23)
Practice Area Knowledge (23)
Responsiveness (20)
Character & Conduct (18)
General Knowledge (10)
Trustworthiness (8)
Compassion (7)
Cost of Services (4)
Free Consultations (1)
Punctuality (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 61 - 65 of 124 reviews
Posted by Sheryl | January 05, 2023
Family
I reached out to Attorney Riley in regards of getting guardianship of my grandson. I feel she went above and beyond to make sure it was granted to me. Her professionalism was truly amazing. I would recommend her for anything that she does in all of her areas of expertise.
Posted by Latonia | December 30, 2022
Executive Director
Attorney Riley although out of the jurisdiction that I caught my offenses, assisted in filing my petitions electronically through the courts! The State’s Attorney Objected to the petitions and as promised, Attorney Riley was there to answer my phone call to give me a date that she could appear in cou...
Posted by Mary | December 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney
She has no compassion for people
I Mary McCormick was a client of attorney Yolanda Riley she had no compassion nor understanding for me. I could not ask her a question I just had to do what she told me to do and she was helping me get my criminal record expunged or sealed she had a terrible disposition. She would cut me off if I was...
Yolanda Riley
Replied last December 28, 2022Mary, I'm sorry you won't accept that I refuse to represent you. Your statements are untrue, however there are hundreds of attorneys here on Avvo that may better match your personality. Good luck
Posted by anonymous | November 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Criminal Record
She is the best that I know of around here. She keep you updated on what’s going on, she help Ulysses out as much as she can, let you know step by step what is happening, stay on top of things, respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner and see to getting what needs to be done done. I am gl...
Posted by shannon | November 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great Lawyer
Yolanda Riley is an excellent lawyer. She is on top of her game. She keeps you updated and answers any questions you have with no problem. I would definitely recommend her. She works very hard to get things done right and she’s very professional. Thank you I appreciate you so much
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Experience
Honors
2024
Game Changer Award, Elite Community Outreach
2024
Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll Recipient, Public Interest Law Initiative "PILI"
2023
Peoria Role Model Project Recipient, City of Peoria
2021
Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, Peoria County Bar Association
2020
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award, The King Holiday Committee
2018
Doers of Deeds, Jehan Gordan-Booth
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Attorney, The Law Offices of Yolanda J. Riley, LLC
2019 - 2019
Assistant Public Defender, Peoria County Government- Pubic Defender's Office
2018 - 2021
Litigation Attorney, Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C
2017 - 2018
Staff Attorney, Prairie State Legal Services
Associations
2021 - Present
PCBA- Diversity CommitteChair
2019 - Present
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2016 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Peoria County Bar AssociationMember
2021 - 2023
Hult Center for Healthy Living Board MemberBoard Member
2016 - 2020
American Civil Liberties UnionGeneral Member, Vice President & President
Education
2015
Southern Illinois University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2019
Professional Responsibility Seminar
Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Field
2017
Illinois Legal Aid Advocates Conference
Barriers to Employment
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
If my arrest record has been expunged, how do I answer a question "Have you been arrested"?
17 Aug 2022
Q&A
Can I press statutory rape charges?
19 Dec 2018
Q&A
After his death when can I access domestic partner savings acct with my name also on it?
20 Dec 2018