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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
119 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Expungement (23)
Child Custody (11)
Divorce & Separation (10)
Lawsuits & Disputes (10)
Family (9)
Criminal Defense (6)
Adoption (3)
Guardianship (3)
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 (58)
Advocacy (38)
Recommendation (37)
Professionalism (31)
Communication Style (23)
Practice Area Knowledge (23)
Responsiveness (19)
Character & Conduct (18)
General Knowledge (10)
Trustworthiness (8)
Compassion (7)
Cost of Services (4)
Free Consultations (1)
Punctuality (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 19 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by Chelsea | January 12, 2026 | Hired Attorney
10/10
Yolanda was an outstanding lawyer who went above and beyond to help me achieve exactly what I needed. Her expertise, responsiveness, and dedication made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation.
Posted by Robert | March 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Family
Effective Beyond Expectations
I was referred to Yolanda Riley by a family member who understood I had little faith in attorneys and the family court system. Unfortunately, being a loving, supportive parent isn’t always enough. Sometimes you have to fight anyway. So I hired Yolanda. Despite my cautious demeanor, she was abl...
Posted by Marcus | December 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Best Lawyer Ever
Yolanda did an amazing job on helping me get my daughter. She focused on the facts, evidence and what was best for my daughter! She’s very easy to work with and knows what she’s doing in the courtroom. She stayed in communication with me every step of the way. Very grateful for Yolanda thanks again!!...
Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Family
Very helpful and straight to the point
I contacted Yolanda Riley for a family law matter from divorce. She was immediately able to provide a plan of action to resolve the matter. She answered all of my questions and helped me along every step of the way. She was very straight and to the point. Great and honest attorney.
Posted by Annette | December 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Adoption case
I went to Yolanda Riley for my case on adoption I thought it would take a year or more but Yolanda Riley got right on to it only took 6 months for her to get everything done she explains everything to u from detail to detail I appreciate all her help on my case she did wonderful thanks for all ur he...
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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
Fathers rights to child?
19 Dec 2018