Brian David Pondenis

Brian David Pondenis

4.2
Rating: 4.0

Licensed for 19 years

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer at Charleston, IL
Practice Areas: Bankruptcy & Debt, Family, Estate Planning, Probate

604 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, IL

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021
See Details

About Brian

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 14 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 2011

Inactive

Licensed in Indiana for 16 years

State: Indiana

Acquired: 2009

Suspended

Licensed in Illinois for 19 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2006

Not Authorized To Practice Law Due To Discipline

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2021

Location

Brainard Law Offices, LLC

604 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, IL, 61920

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Brian David Pondenis's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

Posted by Lance | April 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility

Waste of time

He took the retainer fee and never heard from him again. Its been 3 months now. We are In the process of filing a grievence with the illinois bars, as well as iardc to try to get the retainer fee back. Do yourself a favor and find someone else. Dont waste your time.

Posted by Jake | September 09, 2013 | Debt & Lending Agreements

"Lawyer d"

Highly recommended! With all the personal problems going on while working my case this guy stayed true, very informative and honest. He kept his cool while giving me piece of mind. good man n good lawyer. I owe my refinance birth to him lol. Above n beyond thank's Brian....

Posted by Mary | September 21, 2011

If you want results go to Brian!

We had no choice but to see Brian and I can tell you we are glad we got such a caring person to represent us! First of all, when we got to his office he did not treat us like just another client he had to see to get through the day. Second, when I started to cry because of our situation he apol...ogized for being out of tissues (how many lawyers do you know that would have that kind of fellow feeling?) Even his legal assistant Doug Hoff and his secretary Karen Niepoetter are wonderful to work with! I knew that I could email Karen and within moments, most of the time, I would get a response! If you need a GOOD lawyer then do not hesitate to use Brian!

Posted by anonymous | September 20, 2011 | Bankruptcy & Debt

Thanks is not enough!

Hello Brian, Just a note to express our sincere thanks to you for representing us in our bankuptcy case. You did a fantastic job, going above and beyond what we expected. We couldn't be more pleased with our outcome. We have an will continue to refer you to family, friends and co-workers. You tr...uly are an invaluable asset to your firm!

Posted by Nate | September 19, 2011 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Brian the Bell Ringer!!!

I know many people would think that all lawyers belong at the bottom of the ocean, but I digress!!! I have worked with good and BAD lawyers. Brian is a good one trust me. When I first came into see Brian he treated me like a human being first of all. He did exactly what he said through out the wh...ole process, and I was very impressed that when they're was a miss communication through the office with a receptionist (Human errors happen people...) how Brian took care of the situation the very same day just to make sure all the information was correct. Now I know you may be thinking "Sure for you Nate..." However on one of my last visits I recall someone running late/missing they're appointment, and Brian could have told them to reschedule. Brian didn't though. I knew then that Brian really cared about the people he was servicing. Even after my case was finished Brian would advise me in writing and e-mails (By the way E-mail responses/communications were awesome from Brian and his staff... Lightning quick no response took more than 3-6 hours tops!) on any new news in regards to my case. Bottom line If you want someone who is thorough, great communicator, and ACCOUNTABLE then Brian is the lawyer for you!

See All Client Reviews

Brian David Pondenis's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Brian
Jason Dale Van Hemert headshot
Jason Van Hemert

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"In addition to Brian's vast knowledge of the bankruptcy statutes and rules of procedure, Brian is a zealous advocate for his clients, going above and beyond in arguing for what is right for his clients when they are not treated fairly by the court, creditor, or trustee."

Donald David Knuckey Jr. headshot
Donald Knuckey

Unknown lawyer | Oct 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"Brian Pondenis is a compassionate attorney and his writing skills is among the best in the state. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Brian Pondenis and highly recommend him."

View All Endorsements
Donald David Knuckey Jr. headshot
Donald Knuckey

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  4.0 (Concern)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021.

Suspension for a time certain/ Court order required issued in IL, 2021

updated on 05/19/2022

This type of suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. Once the suspension expires, the attorney must show the Court that he or she has reformed and should be allowed to return to the practice of law.

Interim suspension issued in IL, 2021

updated on 05/19/2022

Interim suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice during a disciplinary investigation. The suspension typically expires when the investigation is resolved.

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Managing Partner, Brainard Law Offices, LLC

2015 - Present

Mayor / Village President, Village Of Broadlands

2013 - 2015

Managing Attorney, Pondenis Law Office

2010 - 2013

Attorney, Ostling & Associates

2009 - 2010

Attorney, Law Office of Brian D. Pondenis

2009 - 2015

Trustee, Village of Broadlands

2005 - 2006

, Illinois Attorney General's Office, Urbana, IL

2005 - 2005

Intern, Illinois Supreme Court

2004 - 2004

Intern, U.S. District Court

Associations

2011 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Indiana State Bar Association

Member

2006 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

A--- v. M---

Success

FIA Card Services v. C.---

Settled; debt discharged.

In re L---

Recovery of damages for the client.

A.-- v. R.--

Case dismissed (in client's favor)

A., Inc. v. R.

Dismissed (in debtor's favor)

In re S.--

Actual and punitive damages for client

FIA Card Services v. D.--

Client's debt discharged.

General Medicine v. M.--

Debt discharged.

S.-- v. R.--

Debt discharged.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2006

University of Illinois College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2000

Western Illinois University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution