About Edward

Biography

Blake Behme Law Group, P.C. was founded in 1983 and provides a full range of legal services.

Negotiations in family law cases involve custody, visitation, child support, property, and much more

Protecting Your Interests in Will Contests, Trust Litigation and Probate Litigation

Practice Areas

Family 20%

47 years

20%

Probate 20%

47 years

20%

Real Estate 20%

20%

Estate Planning 15%

15%

Tax 15%

15%

General Practice 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Awards

2019 2018 2014

...

+ 1

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 47 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1978

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

See All Attorney Licenses See Less Attorney Licenses

Location

Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C.

Richland Executive Plaza II, 521 West Main Street, Suite 100, Belleville, IL, 62220

blakelawgrouppc.com

Get Directions

Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C.

201 Hillsboro, Suite 206, Edwardsville, IL, 62025

blakelawgrouppc.com

Get Directions

Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C.

1355 North Bluff Road, Suite B, Collinsville, IL, 62234

blakelawgrouppc.com

Get Directions

Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C.

553 9th Street, Carlyle, IL, 62231

blakelawgrouppc.com

Get Directions

Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C.

305 West Professional Park Avenue, Effingham, IL, 62401

blakelawgrouppc.com

Get Directions

See All Locations See Less Locations

Gallery

Online Presence

Other places you can find Edward online.

Edward James Blake Jr.'s Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

52 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by anonymous | September 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Probate

Precise with advanced planning to make a positive outcome without you coming out from under the tires

Wish he could run for President! Too many events coming and this 2019 was the beginning. Probate an almost done lock down courthouse 2020. He did what was promised and expected with calm leadership to get it done months later because of Corvid 19 Then one month later roofing extensive damages inside ...out. Contractor disappears with$6500.00 and more more more. I hired Blake! He does what he is hired to provide. Trustworthy. Dont hesitate to make him your legal representative.I hired him to brush up a legal will and trust.

See Full Review Collapse Review

Edward Blake

Replied last February 11, 2022

Thank you very much for your positive input. As you know, we have offices throughout the Metro East and beyond. We have particular emphasis in the legal fields family law, estate law, real estate law, tax law and estate planning. We have a Martindale-Hubbel “AV” rating. We have received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award, which is the highest combination of peer reviews, which would include other attorneys, as well as client reviews, as identified by Martindale-Hubbell. Since you took the time to share with us your generous comments, we will share with you an excerpt from one of our success stories brochures. Over $375,000 saved - Resolution Reached with the Internal Revenue Service. We were hired by a client who had previously paid in excess of $20,000.00 to a national tax representation firm that advertised on the media throughout the United States. Nothing had been accomplished that benefitted the client. After we took over, we immediately began communicating with the Internal Revenue Service, worked out a resolution, saved our client hundreds of thousands of dollars, kept our client in business and our client was grateful for the results obtained. We had recommended to our client that a new accountant be retained and we made a referral to a local accountant and tax return preparer. We filed suit against the national tax firm to recover substantial amounts on behalf of our client. We isolated the old corporation and then created a new limited liability company, to basically continue with the customers in regard to future work. This strategy saved our client in excess of $400,000.00. There was no criminal prosecution. We worked closely with our client for a period of time which included frequent office conferences, correspondence and telephone calls. At each step of the way our client was in contact with us regarding issues and concerns. We used a team approach which, in this case, meant that since more than one attorney was working on the file, someone was always available to respond to the concerns of the client and/or handle communications with the Internal Revenue Service. We treated the Internal Revenue Service with respect and responded to all telephone calls and inquiries. We explained to our client that the Internal Revenue Service has a job to do which is basically follow the law.

Posted by Lendell | February 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate

Land right if way dispute

I hired Mr. Blake to handle a somewhat difficult issue about a right of way to some farm land that I own and farm. The right of way was also bing used by a major public utility to access one of their distribution terminals. Mr. Blake dug into the complex issues and worked the with major public util...ity to gain my access and not interfere with my farm operation or the utilities operations. Mr. Blake handled the whole issue very quickly and at a very reasonable cost. He is first class and very detailed and careful in his work. Very professional and very reasonable!

See Full Review Collapse Review

Edward Blake

Replied last February 19, 2019

It was great of you to take the time to provide us with your generous comments. We attempt to exceed the expectations of our clients. Competency, integrity, trustworthiness and hard work are of paramount importance to us in providing zealous representation of our clients. Whether tax law, family law, estate law, real estate law or estate planning, we have decades of experience, and a proven track record, in obtaining successful results for clients under challenging circumstances. Since you took the time to share with us your generous comments, we will share with you an excerpt from one of our success stories brochures. $9,000,000 Estate Administration Settlement. We represented a surviving spouse who was scheduled to receive basically an income interest from her predeceased husband’s fortune while the husband’s substantial corpus was to be given to his distant relatives. After contested proceedings involving numerous parties and law firms in Illinois and Missouri the surviving spouse ended up with an estate in excess of $9,000,000.00 which she was then able to leave as she wished, to her side of the family and friends, including on a tax-free basis since she passed away in 2010, at time when there was no estate tax. If the surviving spouse had not contested matters timely, and if appropriate and aggressive action had not been taken immediately, she would have had relatively little to leave to her side of the family and friends upon her death.

Posted by Peggy | February 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Great service

I have found this law group to be professional and attentive to my general legal needs.

Edward Blake

Replied last February 04, 2019

We appreciate your sentiments. Each client is unique and important to us. We zealously represent the interests of our clients. We keep our clients advised in all matters and our clients have an opportunity to actively participate in their cases. Our clients are welcome to attend any Court proceedings that impact their case and we prepare our clients for trial and review with them common-plated testimony. Our clients are always kept completely advised in regard to the status of matters. Since you took the time to share with us your positive review, we will share with you one of our success stories. $585,000 Recovered in Divorce Case. We represented a wife in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. Her husband was a successful business person in Southern Illinois, including in the agricultural and seed business. Tragic had struck our clients on many occasions before the divorce including losing three children in three separate accidents. Our client was not thinking straight. Her husband’s attorneys were attempting to coerce her into a meager settlement and divorce resolution, not in her best interests, but solely in the best interests of her husband because he had contacts with the right people. Once we agreed to become involved, we immediately disassociated ourselves from the settlement discussions that had transpired. After discovery, and after the intense settlement negotiations, our client received in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the marital estate, including because our client could not count on meaningful job opportunities in the future, and because her husband had a favorable financial future.

Posted by Stephen | December 11, 2014 | Estate Planning

Mr. Stephen Buser

I have known Edward Blake for 36 years. He is an extremely well qualified lawyer. He has substantial experience in contested estates, family law, tax, corporations, business law, estate planning, real estate and general civil practice. I have been co-counsel in several cases with Edward and I was qui...te pleased to obtain successful results for our mutual clients. I would highly recommend Edward to any person in need of a lawyer in any of Edward's areas of expertise. Stephen Buser

See Full Review Collapse Review

Posted by anonymous | March 28, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Negligent Attorney

This attorney treated me horribly and did what he could to make me look bad. I've heard that other people have had the same experience with this attorney, so be warned. He took my money and never filed a single motion in my case, and then withdrew at the last minute without any advanced notice.

See All Client Reviews

Edward James Blake Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Edward

Jeanna Storment

General practice lawyer | Dec 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Mark Silvermintz

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Nathan Links

Unknown lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Megan Gilbreth

Unknown lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Heather Siddle

General practice lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joshua Schaufelberger

Unknown lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jennifer Behme

Unknown lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lauren Gearhart

Unknown lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kelly Walsh

Unknown lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paul Durr

General practice lawyer | Jun 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Ed for years and worked with him on many cases, he is an excellent attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

See More Lawyer Endorsements See Less Lawyer Endorsements View All Endorsements

Anthony Swarringin

Unknown lawyer

Andrew Kim

Unknown lawyer

Jeremy Burns

Unknown lawyer

Ronald Boyer

Unknown lawyer

Jeanna Storment

Unknown lawyer

Lawrence Waldman

Unknown lawyer

Matthew Cate

Unknown lawyer

Stephen Tillman

Trusts lawyer

Thomas Jones

Defective and dangerous products lawyer

John Hopkins

Medical malpractice lawyer

Ellie Harris

Trusts lawyer

Joel Kunin

Commercial real estate lawyer

Steven Wallace

Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer

Nathan Links

Unknown lawyer

William Gavin

Unknown lawyer

William Wimmer

Unknown lawyer

Gunnar Gitlin

Unknown lawyer

Paul Lauber

Unknown lawyer

Mark Silvermintz

Unknown lawyer

Daniel Nester

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating: 10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Platinum Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2016

Best Attorneys of America, Best Attorneys of America

2015

AVVO Superb 10 Rating, AVVO

2015

Million Dollar Advocate Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

2015

Top One Percent Attorney, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2015

100 Family Lawyers in the State of Illinois, American Society of Legal Advocates

2015

Senior Counsel, College of Master Advocates and Barristers

2014

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubble

2013

Leading Lawyer, Illinois Leading Lawyer Network

2012

AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubble

See All Honors See Less Honors

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Managing Partner, Blake Behme Gilbreth Links, P.C.

2011 - 2014

Managing Partner, Blake Behme Law Group, P.C.

2004 - 2011

Managing Partner, Blake & Allen, P.C.

1983 - 2004

Attorney, Edward J. Blake, Jr. P.C.

1983 - 2014

Managing Partner, Blake Law Group, P.C.

1981 - 1981

Assistant States Attorney, St. Clair County Courthouse

1978 - 1981

Attorney, Pope & Driemeyer n/k/a Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.

1977 - 1978

Law Clerk, Listeman, Bandy & Hamilton

1976 - 1976

Law Clerk, Kassly Bone Becker & Carlson

1976 - 1976

Law Clerk, Cadagin, Cain & Tognarelli

1970 - 1974

Third Round Draft Choice, Baltimore Orioles

See All Work Experiences See Less Work Experiences

Associations

2019 - Present

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Brehm Preparatory School

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

John Burroughs School

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Refuse to Lose - Mike Kelley Foundation

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

This Able Veteran (TAV)

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School`

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Helping Strays of Monroe County

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Fisher House Foundation

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Carlyle Youth Sports

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Boys Football Club of Belleville

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Belleville Area Humane Society

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Southwestern Illinois College

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Granite City High School

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Granite City Park District

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Shriners Hospital for Children

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Annual Contribution

2019 - Present

Greater St. Louis Honor Flight

Annual Contribution

2014 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Senior Lawyers

2014 - Present

American Agricultural Law Association

Agricultural Attorney

2014 - Present

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

Family Law Attorney

2014 - Present

National Academy of Family Law Attorneys

Family Law Attorney

2014 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Elder Law Attorney

2014 - Present

American Society of Legal Advocates

Legal Advocate

2014 - Present

American Bar Association

Real Property, Trusts and Estate Law

2014 - Present

American Bar Association

Family Law

2012 - Present

Madison County Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

Brehm Preparatory School Board of Trustees

Board Member

2009 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Trusts & Estates

2009 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Family Law

2009 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Agricultural Law

2009 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Civil Practice and Procedure

2008 - Present

Gibault Catholic High School